Switzerland Visas

VISANOW draws on years of legal and international immigration experience around the world, allowing our multi-lingual global immigration team to help you jump-start your immigration process. Our attorneys distinguish themselves by partnering with you to explain and work through complex country requirements via a transparent process and by making recommendations to get you in-country sooner.

Work

Switzerland has a dual system for the admission of foreign workers. Gainfully employed nationals from EU/EFTA States can benefit from agreements on the free movement of persons. They can choose where they want to live and work. They must, however, register with the Swiss authorities. Only a limited number of management level employees, specialists and other qualified employees are admitted from all other countries.

For nationals from the new EU member states Czech Republic, Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Slovakia and Slovenia, as well as Bulgaria and Romania, wishing to work in Switzerland, the following entry restrictions are in place: Priority to indigenous workers, labor market controls on wages and working conditions, and annual quotas for residence permits. From other countries (so-called Third States) only skilled labor needed by Switzerland is admitted.

Young professionals from Argentina, Australia, Bulgaria, Canada, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, the Philippines, Poland, Romania, Russia, Slovakia, South Africa, Ukraine and the U.S., who wish to extend their occupational and linguistic skills in Switzerland, can qualify as trainees.

On June 1, 2007 the ceiling for immigrants from the previous EU15 countries was lifted. Nationals from Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxemburg, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and the United Kingdom are granted the same treatment as Swiss nationals with regard to residence provisions and access to the labor market. This regulation also extends to nationals from Lichtenstein, Norway and Iceland, but not yet to all the new EU countries.

All persons (except for those from one of the EU/EFTA member countries) who intend to stay in Switzerland for more than three consecutive months, will need authorization from the cantonal authorities and a visa from the responsible Swiss visa desk. The same rule applies for all persons who intend to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland.

The Swiss Government has very restrictive immigration policies. As a rule, only individuals who have been offered jobs which cannot be filled by Swiss nationals will be granted residence permits. These vacancies are usually only in an occupation of a highly specialized nature.

The processing of a work permit normally requires following steps:

• Approval by the cantonal labor market authority
• Approval by the Federal Office for Immigration
• Approval of the cantonal immigration authority
• Issuance of an entry visa
• Issuance of the work permit

The work authorization is tied to the validity of the residence permit, and foreign nationals must extend their work authorization when they extend their residence permit.

The Long-term Residence Permit (B Permit) is generally valid for an initial period of one year and can generally be extended for a duration of one year; however, it can be extended in two-year increments in the discretion of Swiss authorities.

The Short-term Residence Permit (L Permit) is generally valid for one year. Extensions may be granted for a maximum aggregate duration of up to two years. The entry visa for work purposes is generally valid for 3 months.

Business

A Business Visa is granted to an applicant who can demonstrate the purpose of his trip to Switzerland is for business. Examples of business activities include making sales visits, and establishing contacts on behalf of a company outside of Switzerland. Business Visas can be issued for multiple entries; however the maximum duration of each stay is only six months.

Study

A Student Visa is granted for the purpose of studying in Switzerland. Students belonging to EU/EEA nations will not require a Swiss visa to stay up to 90 days in Switzerland. Students from some other nations including Australia, Canada, Japan, U.S., Argentina, Brazil, Costa Rica, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and South Africa also will not require a Swiss visa to stay up to 90 days in Switzerland. Other nationals from Latin America, Africa, and Asia will have to obtain Swiss student visa before entering Switzerland, even if the duration is less than 90 days. Students are not permitted to finance their studies through work, although they can normally work to earn extra money. There are restrictions on the number of hours students are allowed to do this. The precise rules depend on the canton.

Visit/Family/Marriage

Switzerland joined the Schengen visa scheme on December 12, 2008. Therefore all foreign nationals who require a Schengen visa will from that date onwards also require a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. A short-term Schengen visa is granted for the purpose of tourism; for example sightseeing or visiting family/friends or for other personal affairs. American Citizens do not need a visa when they travel to Switzerland for business or for personal travel. The stay in the Schengen area should not exceed 90 days in a 6 month period. EU nationals (Europe of 25 countries) who are resident in the European Community do not normally require a visa to visit Switzerland for the purpose of tourism, business trips and visits for a maximum stay of three months (work – paid or unpaid – or gainful activities not permitted) if they travel with the national passport and/or with the European ID card.

Residence

We are currently updating the information for this visa type. VISANOW can assist you with your application,  please call us at 855-VISANOW (847-2669) to get the process started today.

Citizenship

We are currently updating the information for this visa type. VISANOW can assist you with your application,  please call us at 855-VISANOW (847-2669) to get the process started today.

 

Tap into VISANOW’s 99.7% visa approval rate today.

Call 1-855-VISANOW (847-2669)

to hear about your Swiss immigration options!