• Citizens of the EU-/EFTA member states | Change of Residence | Working in Switzerland
• Citizens of non-EU/EFTA nations | Change of Residence | Working in Switzerland
• Purchase of real estate by non-Swiss citizens

Citizens of non-EU/EFTA nations

Change of Residence | Working in Switzerland

The number of work and residence permits for citizens of non-EU/EFTA nations is strictly limited (under quotas).

Exception:
Non-EU/EFTA citizens who are posted by a foreign employer (company in the EU/EFTA) as employees for stays of up to 90 working days per calendar year do not require a permit. They are, however, required to register in advance. An online form must be completed. The posted employee usually must have been lawfully admitted to the labour market of an EU/EFTA state for at least 12 months.

SHORT-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT
UP TO MAX. 4 MONTHS OR 120 DAYS PER YEAR

The following preconditions must be fulfilled for the granting of a short-term residence permit:

• A signed, binding employment contract must be available. That governs the period of the residence permit.
• The foreigner may not replace another person an a short-term permit within the same organisation (rotation).
• The number of foreigners employed short-term may only exceed one quarter of the entire workforce in an organisation in justified, exceptional cases.

SHORT-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT 4 TO 12 MONTHS

The following preconditions must be fulfilled for the granting of a short-term residence permit 4 to 12 months:

• A signed, binding employment contract for more than 4 months must be available. That governs the duration of the residence permit.
• The reason for the application must be submitted in writing.
• The qualified education or special know-how of the new employee must be proven.
• The permit can only be extended once and for a further period of 12 months in exceptional cases if the occupation for gain remains with the same employer.
• Proof that it was impossible to find a suitable employee in Switzerland and of the necessity to employ a foreigner who is not an EU/EFTA citizen.

RESIDENCE PERMIT

The following preconditions must be fulfilled for the granting of a residence permit of one year or more:

• A signed, binding employment contract with a duration of more than one year must be available. That governs the duration of the residence permit.
• The reason for the application must be submitted in writing and proof must be provided by the employer that it was impossible to find a suitable employee in Switzerland and of the necessity to employ a foreigner who is not an EU/EFTA citizen.
• The qualified education or special know-how or transfer of management within international groups of companies must be proven.
• There must be chances of long-term integration.

PERMANENT RESIDENCE PERMIT

A permanent residence permit can only be granted to a foreigner after an uninterrupted and long-term stay (usually 5 to 10 years) in Switzerland.

In contrast to the limited residence permit, its permanent counterpart is not associated with any conditions and is for an unlimited period of time.

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