Green alpine valley with scattered chalets, forested hills and rocky mountain peaks in Switzerland.

Switzerland Visa & Immigration Services

Hudson McKenzie advises individuals, families and international businesses on visa and immigration options for Switzerland. We assist with business travel, work permits, short-term assignments, highly qualified workers, intra-company transfers, EU/EFTA mobility, self-employment, family reunification, study, settlement permits and Swiss citizenship.

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Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, although it participates in the Schengen Area and has an Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons with the EU. Immigration requirements differ significantly between EU/EFTA nationals and nationals of other countries, including most UK citizens making a new move after Brexit.

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Swiss immigration involves both federal and cantonal authorities. The appropriate procedure depends on nationality, employment arrangements, the canton where the applicant will work or reside and the intended duration of stay.

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Whether you are relocating, hiring an overseas employee, transferring a senior executive, establishing a business or joining family, our immigration lawyers can assess the available Swiss immigration routes and coordinate the work-authorisation, visa and residence-permit stages.

Switzerland Work Permits for Non-EU/EFTA Nationals

Switzerland operates a restrictive work-permit system for nationals from outside the EU and EFTA. Applicants will generally need to be highly qualified, such as senior managers, specialists or professionals with relevant higher-education qualifications and professional experience.

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A Swiss job offer alone does not automatically create entitlement to a work permit. Switzerland operates its own admission system and does not participate in the EU Blue Card scheme.

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The Swiss employer normally submits the application to the competent cantonal labour-market or migration authority. Depending on the case, federal approval may also be required.

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The authorities can assess:

the applicant’s qualifications and professional experience;
the role and its importance to the Swiss employer;
compliance with Swiss salary and employment conditions;
labour-market priority and the availability of suitable workers in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA labour market;
the applicant’s ability to integrate professionally and socially; and
availability within the applicable permit quotas.

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Swiss Employer Sponsorship

For third-country nationals, the employer generally plays the central role in obtaining work authorisation. Where applicable, the employer must demonstrate that appropriate recruitment efforts have not identified a suitable candidate from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA labour market.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess the proposed role and candidate, prepare the immigration strategy and coordinate the application with the employer, employee and relevant authorities.

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Switzerland L Permit & B Permit

The L Permit and B Permit are principal residence categories for foreign nationals living and working in Switzerland. The appropriate permit depends on nationality, employment duration, working arrangements and the basis of residence.

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The L Permit is a short-term residence permit. For EU/EFTA workers, it is generally associated with employment lasting more than three months but less than one year. Third-country L permits are subject to the applicable admission criteria and can be affected by annual quotas.

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The B Permit is used for longer-term residence. EU/EFTA workers with qualifying employment lasting at least 12 months or of unlimited duration generally receive a B permit valid for five years. Qualifying EU/EFTA nationals who are self-employed or resident without gainful employment may also obtain B status.

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For third-country nationals, B permits depend on the relevant admission requirements and, where applicable, quota availability. The permit letter alone does not determine all employment rights or restrictions.

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L Permit Compared with B Permit

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Feature	L Permit	B Permit
General purpose	Short-term residence	Longer-term residence
Employment possible	Yes, where authorised	Yes, where authorised
EU/EFTA workers	Generally for employment exceeding three months but lasting less than one year	Generally for employment of at least 12 months or unlimited duration
Third-country workers	Subject to Swiss admission requirements	Subject to Swiss admission requirements
Third-country admission quotas	Can apply	Can apply

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Hudson McKenzie can advise on the appropriate permit category, applicable conditions, applications and renewals.

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Self-Employment & Entrepreneurs

The ability to establish a business or work on a self-employed basis depends significantly on nationality. EU/EFTA nationals have broader rights where they can demonstrate genuine self-employed activity and satisfy the applicable registration and residence requirements.

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Third-country entrepreneurs face more restrictive admission criteria. The authorities can examine whether the proposed business is expected to have a lasting positive impact on the Swiss labour market or broader economy.

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Supporting evidence can include:

a detailed business plan and description of the proposed activity;
market opportunities and anticipated turnover;
proposed investment and funding;
staffing and recruitment plans;
corporate documentation; and
evidence of the applicant’s financial and operational ability to establish the business.

Simply incorporating or owning a Swiss company does not automatically provide a right to live or work in Switzerland. Hudson McKenzie can assess the immigration viability of the proposal and coordinate with corporate, tax and other professional advisers.

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Intra-Company Transfers & International Assignments

Multinational companies may need to transfer senior managers, specialists and other key personnel to Swiss operations. A third-country intra-company transfer does not automatically remove work-permit requirements.

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Relevant factors include the employee’s seniority, specialist knowledge, qualifications and experience; the relationship between the companies; the assignment’s purpose and duration; Swiss employment conditions; and the economic or operational justification for the transfer.

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Different rules apply to qualifying EU/EFTA nationals and workers posted by businesses established in the EU/EFTA. Hudson McKenzie works with HR, legal and global mobility teams to assess requirements and coordinate employee and family applications.

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Short-Term Work & Posted Workers

Switzerland operates a notification procedure for qualifying short-term employment and cross-border services. The applicable limits depend on the arrangement:

EU/EFTA nationals employed by a Swiss employer can generally use the procedure for employment lasting up to three months in a calendar year.
Qualifying workers posted by EU/EFTA-based businesses and qualifying self-employed EU/EFTA service providers can generally use it for services lasting up to 90 working days per calendar year.
Separate conditions apply to qualifying UK service providers under the Services Mobility Agreement.

Additional requirements apply where an EU/EFTA business posts a third-country national. Notification deadlines and sector-specific conditions must also be considered.

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Where the notification procedure is unavailable, a formal work permit may be required even for a relatively short assignment.

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Cross-Border Commuters – G Permit

The G Permit is Switzerland’s cross-border commuter permit. It is relevant to qualifying individuals who live abroad while working or operating a business in Switzerland.

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EU/EFTA nationals living in an EU/EFTA state and working in Switzerland can apply for a G EU/EFTA permit, subject to the applicable conditions. They must generally return to their principal residence abroad at least once a week.

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Permit validity depends on the employment arrangements. Qualifying longer-term or indefinite employment can support a five-year permit, while shorter employment generally results in validity linked to the contract. Different and more restrictive requirements apply to third-country nationals.

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Cross-border work and international assignments can also involve tax and social-security obligations. Our global mobility and tax services can support the wider planning associated with these arrangements.

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Family Reunification & Family Residence

Switzerland provides family-reunification routes, but eligibility and the rights available depend on the sponsor’s nationality and immigration status.

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Under the EU/EFTA free-movement framework, qualifying family members can include spouses, children or grandchildren under 21, older dependent children or grandchildren, and dependent parents or grandparents. Adequate accommodation and the other applicable conditions must be satisfied. For EU/EFTA students, family-reunification rights are generally limited to spouses and dependent children.

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Qualifying spouses and children admitted through EU/EFTA family reunification generally have access to the Swiss labour market regardless of their own nationality.

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Where the sponsor is a third-country national, eligibility depends on the sponsor’s permit, family relationship, accommodation, financial position and other statutory conditions. Family members’ work rights must be assessed under the relevant permit rules.

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Hudson McKenzie can assess family eligibility and coordinate dependant applications alongside the principal applicant’s immigration process.

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Residence in Switzerland Without Working

EU/EFTA nationals may be able to reside in Switzerland without employment where they have sufficient resources to support themselves and their family and hold adequate health and accident insurance.

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Third-country nationals are subject to a more restrictive framework. Residence without employment may be available in specific statutory circumstances, but financial independence alone does not create a general entitlement to Swiss residence.

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Applicants considering retirement or another move without employment should obtain an assessment of their nationality, financial circumstances, family connections and proposed basis of residence before making commitments.

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Study & Student Residence Permits

Foreign nationals admitted to qualifying Swiss educational institutions may require a visa and residence permit. The requirements depend on nationality and the proposed course.

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Supporting evidence can include:

admission to a recognised educational institution;
sufficient financial resources;
appropriate accommodation;
health-insurance arrangements;
a genuine study purpose; and
other documents required by the cantonal and federal authorities.

EU/EFTA students benefit from the applicable free-movement provisions, while third-country students fall under the separate Swiss admission framework. Students should check the relevant restrictions before undertaking employment alongside their studies.

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Hudson McKenzie can advise students and families on immigration documentation and residence procedures.

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Short-Stay Business & Visitor Visas

Switzerland participates in the Schengen Area. Third-country nationals who require a visa for short visits generally need a Schengen Visa (Category C) for stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

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Depending on nationality and the proposed activities, business visits can include meetings, negotiations, conferences, seminars, trade fairs and visits to clients or business partners.

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Business-visitor status does not automatically authorise work. Activities constituting gainful employment can trigger Swiss work-authorisation requirements even where the stay is short. Visa-free entry and permission to work are separate questions.

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Travellers may also require a visa for tourism, family visits and other private travel. Our consular services can assist with relevant visa and document requirements.

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Remote Working & Digital Nomads in Switzerland

Switzerland does not currently operate a general Digital Nomad Visa comparable to dedicated remote-worker programmes available in some other European countries.

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Working online for an overseas employer or clients does not automatically remove Swiss immigration requirements. The correct position depends on nationality, existing residence rights, the employer, the nature of the activity and the duration of residence.

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EU/EFTA nationals have broader options under the free-movement framework. Third-country nationals should not assume that visitor status permits them to establish residence and work remotely from Switzerland.

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Remote work can also raise tax, social-security and employment-law issues. Hudson McKenzie can assess the immigration implications and coordinate with appropriate advisers.

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Investment, Property Ownership & Swiss Residence

Switzerland does not operate a conventional Golden Visa programme under which purchasing property or making a passive investment automatically grants residence rights.

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Establishing a business requires a separate assessment under the relevant immigration rules. Certain other residence possibilities may exist under specific statutory and cantonal circumstances, but these require individual assessment.

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Property ownership and immigration status are separate legal matters. Foreign property ownership can also be subject to restrictions. Applicants should obtain appropriate immigration, property and tax advice before making commitments.

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Why Choose Hudson McKenzie for Switzerland Immigration?

Hudson McKenzie supports individuals, families, senior professionals, entrepreneurs and international businesses with Swiss immigration and global mobility matters.

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For businesses, we coordinate immigration requirements for international recruitment, senior hires, employee transfers, cross-border projects and temporary assignments. We work with HR and global mobility teams to identify requirements before an employee travels or begins work.

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For private clients, we assess the available options based on nationality, employment, family circumstances, residence history and long-term plans.

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Swiss immigration involves both federal and cantonal authorities. Hudson McKenzie can help identify the relevant procedure, prepare supporting evidence and coordinate the process from initial assessment through to the appropriate visa and residence-permit stages.

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With offices in London, Dubai and Riyadh, Hudson McKenzie provides global immigration support through its international network.

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Planning to work, relocate, establish a business, transfer employees or join family in Switzerland? Contact Hudson McKenzie to discuss the Swiss visa and immigration options relevant to your circumstances.

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Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is for general guidance only and does not constitute legal, tax or financial advice. Swiss immigration rules, permit quotas, salary requirements, labour-market criteria, visa procedures and cantonal practices are subject to change. Requirements can vary according to nationality, canton, employment arrangements, permit category and individual circumstances.

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Swiss immigration matters can involve cantonal authorities, the State Secretariat for Migration and Swiss diplomatic or consular representations. Applicants should obtain advice relevant to the canton and circumstances of the proposed application. Please contact Hudson McKenzie for advice tailored to your circumstances.

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