Work permits for employees in Switzerland: A complete guide for employers

How long does it take to get a work permit in Switzerland?

It takes about six to 12 weeks to receive a Swiss work permit.

Types of work visas in Switzerland

Work and residence permits are one and the same in Switzerland, since you can’t work in the country without having a residence permit.

There are four different types of permits that allow foreign nationals to live and work in Switzerland:

• L permit: This is a short-term permit that allows foreign nationals to live and work in Switzerland for up to one year. It can be renewed or extended, depending on the employment contract. 
• B permit: This type of residence permit is valid for one year. It can be renewed each year as long as the permit holder is working for the same employer in the same canton and the Swiss B permit quotas for that year haven’t been met yet.
• C permit: Also known as a settlement permit, the C permit is granted to individuals who have lived and worked continuously in Switzerland for 10 years (five if they are US or Canadian citizens). 
• G permit: This permit is specifically for cross-border commuters who are residents of another EU/EFTA country but come to Switzerland just to work. G permit holders must return to their main place of residence at least once a week.

Again, regardless of whether a foreign worker is eligible for one of these permits, if the quota on the number that can be issued that year has already been met, they will have to wait until next year and try again.

Application process for Swiss work visas

There are a few important things to note about the application process for Swiss work visas.

First, the Swiss federal government leaves a lot of work visa-related decisions up to the cantonal authorities. So, the exact application process may differ depending on whether your company is in Zurich, Lucerne, or another canton.

Second, both the employer and the employee are involved in the application process for Swiss work visas. The employer must have made an official job offer to the employee in order to begin the process.

For the exact process for the particular permit you’re applying for in your canton, visit the SEM website, which has links to the websites of all the individual cantonal immigration and employment market authorities. 

To give you an idea of what to expect here, we’ll go over the application process for a non-EU/EFTA national applying for a work permit in Canton Zurich. 

First, let’s review what you’ll need for the application itself:

• The employee’s personal information, including their name, full address, date of birth, nationality, number of direct family members living abroad, their parents’ surnames, and the personal information of any family members who will be traveling with them.
• The employer’s information, such as the company name and mailing address in Switzerland, the contact information of someone at the company (like the director or the employee’s manager), the job title and description, whether the individual is already employed by the company or not, and the cantonal seat of the employer.
• Information about the stay, such as its duration, the address of the residence where the person will be living in Switzerland, and whether or not they need a visa to enter the country.
• Other documents, including justification for the application (you need to demonstrate there’s an economic need to hire this person), a copy of the official employment contract, a copy of the foreign worker’s CV, proof the job exists (there’s a form you can download called Confirmation of Posting form), copies of the worker’s certificates/diplomas, and copies of their passport and your (the employer’s) ID card/passport.

To then apply in Zurich, take the following steps:

• Submit the work visa application to the Office for Economic Affairs and Labor (AWA). You’ll find the link to the Zurich work permit application here. 
• The AWA will decide if there is a need for the employee based on visa quotas and whether the employer demonstrated an economic need for the employee. This is called a preliminary labor market decision.
• If they decide to move ahead, the AWA will send the application to the SEM for its approval. 
• After the SEM approves, the documents are sent to the Migration Office to be reviewed by immigration lawyers. If this office determines all legal requirements have been met, it will issue the permit. It will also authorize the Swiss embassy to approve a visa if the foreign national is still abroad—if they’re not, you’ll receive a confirmation of the permit and can let the employee know.
• The employee must report to the cantonal immigration authority and register themselves. At that time, they’ll also make an appointment so the migration authority can collect biometric data: two digital fingerprints, their signature, and their photo.
• The card will be produced and sent by mail to the employee.  

Check with your individual canton about the required documents and the application process itself before starting the visa application.

Frequently asked questions about work permits for employees in Switzerland

Is a Schengen visa the same as a work visa in Switzerland?

No, a Schengen visa is not the same as a Swiss work visa. A Schengen visa is a short stay visa that allows you to visit any Schengen State for a duration of no more than 90 days in a 180-day period. It doesn’t serve as a work permit in Switzerland (or any other state in the Schengen area). 

What are the eligibility requirements for non-EU/EFTA nationals seeking work in Switzerland?

Switzerland sets high standards for the foreign nationals it permits to work in its country. To be eligible for a work permit, the following requirements must be met:

• A job offer has been made.
• Work permit quotas aren’t full.
• There are no Swiss citizens or EU/EFTA nationals available for the job.
• The position has the same salary and work conditions it would if it were filled by a Swiss resident.
• The individual has degree-level qualifications and several years of professional experience in their post.

Particularly if the foreign worker is from outside the European Union or EFTA, the Swiss authorities might take into account whether the person is multilingual (Switzerland has more than one official language including German and French), their criminal background, and their financial situation.

Is there a special arrangement for workers from the United Kingdom?

If you’re from the United Kingdom and have had residence rights in Switzerland since before 2021, you’re still able to move somewhat freely between the two countries based on post-Brexit special provisions. Otherwise, UK nationals are now subject to the same laws and requirements as all other foreign workers who are from non-EU/EFTA countries.

What documents are required to apply for a Swiss work permit? 

While the exact documents may differ from canton to canton, here’s an example of the documents necessary to apply for a Swiss work permit in Canton Zurich:

• The employee’s personal information, including their name, full address, date of birth, nationality, number of direct family members living abroad, their parents’ surnames, and the personal information of any family members who will be traveling with them.
• The employer’s information, such as the company name and mailing address in Switzerland, the contact information of someone at the company (like the director or the employee’s manager), the job title and description, whether the individual is already employed by the company or not, and the cantonal seat of the employer.
• Information about the stay, such as its duration, the address of the residence where the person will be living in Switzerland, and whether or not they need a visa to enter the country.
• Other documents, including justification for the application (remember, you need to demonstrate there is an economic need to hire this person), a copy of the official employment contract, a copy of the foreign worker’s CV, proof the job exists (there’s a form you can download called “confirmation of posting” form), copies of the worker’s certificates/diplomas, and copies of their passport and your (the employer’s) ID card/passport.

Make sure you check with your individual canton before you start the application process.

What’s the fastest way to get a work permit in Switzerland?

Unfortunately, there’s no way to expedite the work permit application process in Switzerland. The best way to ensure there are no delays is to do your due diligence in proving there is an economic need for the foreign worker and that you did your best to find a Swiss national to take the post. 

How much does it cost to get a Swiss work permit?

The exact cost varies from canton to canton, but generally, fees don’t exceed 100 CHF.

Are family members included in work visa applications in Switzerland?

No. Only C permit holders (holders of settlement permits) have the right to have their family members join them. Otherwise, family members must apply for residence permits and work visas individually.

How do you renew your Swiss work permit?

If you need to renew your work permit, submit a new application with the cantonal authorities no later than two weeks before the current permit is set to expire. If you’re sending the employee to work at a branch in a different canton or they are moving, you’ll need to send in an application to that canton’s immigration authority and find out what they require.

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Rippling and its affiliates do not provide tax, accounting, or legal advice. This material has been prepared for informational purposes only, and is not intended to provide, and should not be relied on for tax, legal, or accounting advice. You should consult your own tax, legal, and accounting advisors before engaging in any related activities or transactions.