Switzerland has recently announced a new immigration policy. There has been seen a boom in recent years in international workers in Switzerland. So this boom has created more jobs for international workers (especially non-EU workers). Recent research shows that compared with 30,000 international workers in 1991, there were 60,000 workers employed in 2007. Companies and firms in Switzerland have been demanding from authorities to provide them more quota for recruiting more international workers.
Swiss authorities have now accepted the demand by different cantons and companies and have increased the international quota with 1000 extra workers from the next year 2019. Following is the distribution of quota of non-EU workers in Switzerland from 2019:
| Name of visa type | Quota | Visa duration |
| Residence permit | 4,500 | varies |
| Permit B | 4,000 | till 5 years |
| Short stay L permits | 500 | 3 to 12 months |
In addition to this, 1,000 ‘B’ permits are reserved that will be served to the cantons that ask for it individually.
Currently, most of the migrants in Switzerland are from Spain and Italy and surely they are highly qualified. Whereas most numbers from Portuguese migrants are involved in lower skill level jobs.
The new change in policy also brings more changes for highly skilled professionals from India, the US, and China. On the other hand, workers from other all no-EU countries like Pakistan can apply for such work permits in Switzerland.
Where to apply for a visa?
Depending on the location and your country of residence, the following are the different ways to apply for a Swiss visa:
- by filling out an application for a visa online
- by submitting a visa application to a Swiss consulate or Embassy
- through certain and appointed visa application centers
- at the representation of other Schengen Embassy
Click here to check the country-wise list of Swiss Embassy and consulates all over the world.
You must also note that only short-term Schengen visas that is up to 90 days can be applied online for the purpose of visit, touring, family visit or a business visit. All other long-term national visas must be submitted to the respective embassy or consulate in your country of residence.
How to find a job in Switzerland?
There are always many ways to find a job in a country like Switzerland. The most important place for this is the federal government agency and regional employment centers. The main website of regional employment centers helps you find a job in different cantons of Switzerland with your desired positions and choice. You can register on the website to get more information, tips and tricks to find an employer in Switzerland. Click here to open this website for complete information.
Trade and qualification recognition
In order to work in Switzerland, you surely need to get you vocational qualification or graduation documents attested by the State Secretariat for Education, Research and Innovation (SERI). This department gives you complete information about the procedure to get your recognition of skills and education in Swiss cantons. Click here to open the official website of this department.
Want to know more about living and working in Switzerland?
If you still want to get more information about working and living in Switzerland, you can get a complete guide and information on this pdf file, you can download it here to know it all.
Click here to download living and working in Switzerland guide-book.
What documents are required to get a Work visa?
There are a number of educational, identity, vocational, and professional documents in order to get a work permit of Switzerland. Here is a list of such documents that includes compulsory and optional ones.