Access to the job market

Residence and Work Permits

If your roots trace back to an EU/EFTA nation, the Swiss terrain welcomes you with open arms under the umbrella of full freedom of movement.

For those originating from a Non-EU/EFTA State, commonly referred to as a third country, the path to obtaining work and residence permits may seem elusive by default. Yet, a glimmer of hope emerges for those possessing exceptional and rare qualifications.

Residence and work permit

If you come from an EU/EFTA country, you can obtain a work permit and residence permit for Switzerland in accordance with the unrestricted free movement of persons, provided you can prove that you are employed by a Swiss employer. The type of permit granted depends on the duration of the employment contract.

If you come from a non-EU/EFTA country, i.e. a so-called third country, your prospects of obtaining a work and residence permit are generally limited. Unless you have particularly outstanding and rare qualifications, as is the case with managers and specialists, for example. Integration criteria are also taken into account. The application for approval must be submitted by your employer, who must also prove that there are no suitable people available for the position to be filled on the domestic labor market or in the EU/EFTA labor markets. These permits are also limited by annual maximum numbers (quota system).