Every few days, we receive a message that looks something like this:
“Hello, I want to move to Switzerland. Can you help me get a job and a visa?”
It’s a fair question. Switzerland is safe, stable, and offers great professional opportunities. But if you’re from outside the EU or EFTA, the path to working here is more complex than most people realize.
This article walks you through how Swiss work permits actually work, what’s required to qualify, and what you can realistically expect if you’re exploring the idea of working here. It also clarifies what kind of support Swiss Ready can (and can’t) provide.
First Things First: Tourist vs. Worker
Not long ago, someone booked a consultation and mentioned they’d be “visiting Switzerland to look for a job.” It might sound like a reasonable and proactive plan, but legally speaking, that’s not how it works.
If you’re from a non-EU or EFTA country, you can usually enter Switzerland as a tourist for up to 90 days within a 180-day period, depending on your nationality. During that time, you are not allowed to work, and even if you use that time for job hunting and receive a job offer, you cannot apply for a work permit from inside the country. Your visit must remain just that, a temporary stay for tourism or personal reasons, not a gateway to employment.
If you’re a citizen of the EU or EFTA, the rules are far more flexible. You can enter Switzerland freely, without a visa, and stay while actively looking for work, typically for up to three months, with the possibility of extending to six months in some cases if you register with the local authorities. If you find a job during that time, you can apply for a residence and work permit without needing to leave the country.
In short, EU/EFTA nationals benefit from a legal framework that supports mobility and job-seeking within Switzerland. For non-EU citizens, however, visiting as a tourist does not create a legal pathway to employment or long-term relocation. That step must begin before entry, and always with the right permit already approved.
How the Swiss Work Permit System Works
(for EU/EFTA and non-EU citizens)
Switzerland applies a dual system when it comes to accessing the job market. The rules vary significantly depending on whether or not you’re a citizen of an EU or EFTA country.
EU/EFTA Citizens
If you’re from an EU or EFTA country, the system is designed to support mobility. Thanks to the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons, EU or EFTA nationals enjoy significant freedom to enter Switzerland visa-free and look for a job for up to three months. If you’re still seeking work after that, it’s possible to extend your stay to six months by applying for a short-term residence permit and proving you have sufficient funds.
Once you land a job, the process is straightforward: within 14 days of arrival, you register with your local commune and apply for either a Permit L (valid for contracts shorter than 12 months) or a Permit B (if your contract runs for a year or more, or is open-ended). Permit L lasts for the duration of your contract (up to one year and extendable) while Permit B offers more stability and is typically valid for five years, renewable.
Despite its simplicity, this system still ties your legal right to work directly to your employment and residence situation. You must complete the permit application process after being hired, but the barriers are low compared to other nationalities.
Non-EU/EFTA Citizens (Third-Country Nationals)
If you’re from a non-EU or non-EFTA country, often referred to as a third-country national, the situation is far more complex. You cannot simply move to Switzerland and look for work, work permits must be arranged before entry.
To hire you, a Swiss employer must first offer a position that requires highly qualified skills. These are typically roles in sectors with proven labor shortages, such as tech, engineering, medicine, or scientific research. The employer must also demonstrate that no suitable candidate could be found in Switzerland or within the EU. This includes documenting the recruitment process and justifying the need for your specific profile.
The approval process typically takes between 4 and 15 weeks, depending on the canton, permit type, and completeness of the application. And even then, there’s no guarantee: Switzerland imposes annual quotas on the number of permits available to third-country nationals. These quotas are limited, vary by canton, and once filled, new applications are generally not accepted until the following year.
This means that even with a strong job offer, timing and location matter. Some cantons process more permits than others, and not all regions have the same priorities or availability.
Once approved, a third-country national usually receives a Permit B valid for one year, renewable as long as the job continues. In some cases, a Permit L is issued for shorter contracts.
In short, while it’s not impossible for non-EU nationals to obtain a work permit, it’s a path reserved for people with exceptional qualifications or highly specific job profiles, and it requires a Swiss employer willing to handle the process on your behalf.
Are There Other Ways?
Yes, there are a few alternative legal pathways to move to Switzerland, but each one comes with specific requirements and must be approved before arrival.
Some non-EU citizens move to Switzerland through intra-company transfers. This typically happens when a multinational relocates an employee from another office abroad. These transfers are arranged internally, and the company usually manages the entire permit process.
Others arrive as students or academic researchers. Universities and research institutions can sponsor permits for full-time study, especially at the master’s or PhD level. These permits are usually tied to the academic program and may include restrictions on working hours or financial requirements.
Family reunification is another possible route. Individuals may be able to join a spouse or registered partner who is already legally residing in Switzerland. The specifics depend on the type of permit the resident partner holds, and often involve proving income, housing, and relationship stability.
Finally, in rare cases, self-employed professionals receive approval to relocate. This route is highly regulated and requires a detailed business plan, financial documentation, and proof that the business will contribute to the Swiss economy.
In all of these cases, the right to live and work in Switzerland is granted through a pre-approved residence permit. None of these paths allow you to arrive as a tourist and apply from within.
Where Swiss Ready Fits In
This is exactly why it’s important to clarify what we do, and what we don’t.
Swiss Ready is not a visa service. We don’t offer legal advice, and we can’t help you secure a residence permit or job offer from abroad.
Our services are specifically designed for people who already live in Switzerland with a valid residence permit, or who are finalizing a confirmed move with legal approval already in place.
If that’s your situation, we’re here to help you move forward. We offer flexible German courses focused on real-life communication and integration, as well as exam preparation for official language tests. We also provide one-on-one coaching for navigating the Swiss job market, and support with writing and translation, whether it’s your CV, a cover letter, or formal communication with authorities. If Swiss bureaucracy is overwhelming, we’ll help guide you through it step by step.
You can explore all our services here.
Want to Learn More?
If you’re still exploring your legal options or looking for official resources, we recommend:
Still considering a move to Switzerland and want to connect with others going through the same process? Join our community to ask questions, share experiences, and meet expats who’ve already taken the leap, or are about to.