Residence and employment of non-EU/EFTA citizens

Citizens from countries outside the EU-15/EFTA and from the two most recent EU member countries, Bulgaria and Romania, require a work and a residence permit in any case. They are still subject to the existing admissions regulations (priority for nationals, control of wages, quotas), but they have been granted significantly more mobility in the interest of labour market flexibility. Holders of a long-term residence permit are free to change jobs and place of employment, and to be self-employed anywhere in the country without requiring special authorization. In important cases, holders of a short-term residence permit may also work for an employer in another canton.

Priority is given to highly -qualified and specialized professionals, as well as to entrepreneurs and executives, recognized scientists and key persons involved in cultural events, employees of internationally active corporations and people with international business relations. This approach aims to promote economic, scientific and cultural exchanges and to support the transfer of decision-makers and specialists of international companies. Qualified scientists should, in particular, be given the opportunity to continue working in Switzerland after completing their studies. It is ultimately in the interest of the Swiss economy that foreigners temporarily working in Switzerland be permitted to bring their family to Switzerland, and that partners and children of holders of a long-term residence permit have the right to be employed or self-employed in Switzerland.

Key regulations:

• B residence permit: generally valid for one year. Option to change jobs and cantons with permit, source tax, quotas (certain exceptions: e.g. spouses of Swiss citizens have the same rights as Swiss citizens).
• C residence permit: same rights as Swiss nationals in labour market, no source tax.
• Cross-border commuter permit: possible to change jobs with permit, not possible to change cantons, source tax.
• L short-stay residence permit: not possible to change jobs or cantons, source tax.
• Intern permit: maximum of 18 months, only for training young professionals.
• Asylum seekers: work permit one month following submission of application for asylum. Possible to change jobs with permit, not possible to change cantons. Source tax, 10% of salary is retained as security.
• Transfer of managerial staff: essential management staff may reside in Switzerland for three years in accordance with the General Agreement on Trade in Services (GATS). The permit can be extended for one year.

The employer is responsible for checks and due diligence, as well as for ensuring that a foreign employee has permission to assume the position. In order to obtain an entry visa, the employer must prove that it was not possible to find a suitable candidate in Switzerland and that the training of a suitable employee within a reasonable period was not possible.