Switzerland’s Skilled Worker Visa (Permit B)

Is it your dream to work in a career of being in the high standards and beautiful landscape of Switzerland? Although the country supports one of the highest salaries and standard of living worldwide, it is notorious to obtain work permit as a Third-Country National (a citizen of neither the EU nor the EFTA). Switzerland does not have an easy Skilled Worker Visa, as in the other countries. Rather, entry will be regulated by stringent quotas per year and by the Principle of Priority to Nationals.

The Dual-Pillar Requirement Quotas and Priority Rule

The Swiss Federal Council is in a position to sustain a two-level immigration policy, that grants EU/EFTA Citizens free movement but severely limits entry by other persons.

The Federal Quota System

An Annual Quota (or Contingent) is established by the Federal Council with regards to the number of non-EU/EFTA workers allowed entry. The overall quota will be approximately 8,500 permits in 2025, including long-term and short-term accommodations:

• Permit B (Long-Term Residence Permit): There are 4,500 long-term permits that are offered in employment that is more than a year and/or no limit contracts. This is the permit of the greatest desire.
• Permit L (Short-Term Residence Permit): It has 4,000 short-term permits that can be used in employment up to 1 year.

These Federal Quotas are allocated every quarterly to the 26 Cantons, that is, although there may be no general federal quota filled, that of a particular canton (such as Zurich or Geneva) can be met.

The Priority Rule (Labour Market Test)

This is the largest hurdle that a foreign applicant goes through and is known locally as Inländervorrang. The employer has to demonstrate the following legally:

• Recruitment Efforts: They have put a lot of efforts (adverts, search agencies) to identify the right people with a nationality of Switzerland or EU or EFTA.
• No Suitable candidate: They need to prove that they could not find an appropriate Swiss or EU or EFTA national to occupy the post.

Who Qualifies? The definition of a Skilled Worker

In order to qualify under the few Cantonal Quotas, a person must qualify as a Highly Qualified Third-Country National.

• Good Qualification: This requires a University Degree or other high level technical knowledge.
• Specialization: This should be of a manager, specialist or key personnel whose skills are unique.
• High Salary/Local Conditions: The pay and working conditions have to be normal in location, occupation and industry. Since the cost of living in Switzerland is high, this frequently has the effect of turning out as a High Salary in real terms. The employer resorts to official means to ensure that salary complies with Local Salary Conditions.
• High-Approval Sectors: Occupations that enjoyed the most approval are located in:
• IT & Technology (AI, FinTech, Cybersecurity)
• Pharmaceuticals and Life Sciences.
• High-Level Engineering
• Intra-Corporate Transfer (ICT) specialists Executive or Key Personnel

The Application Process A Multi-Step Process

The Swiss employer is the only party to initiate the application process and there are two primary steps in the process, which are the Cantonal Labour Market Authorities approval, and the federal examination by the Federal Migration Authority (SEM).

Employer Submission

The Swiss employer obtains a Valid Employment Contract (requirement is minimum 1 year in Permit B) and forwards the application packet to the respective Cantonal Labour Market Authorities.

Cantonal and Federal Review

The canton examines the application concerning the local labour market conditions, the Priority Rule, and the Cantonal Quotas. In the case of a local approval it is sent to the SEM by way of final federal approval.

• Processing Time: The Processing Time may be quite different according to the canton, and generally the time taken to decide is between 4-12 weeks.

Visa Application and arrival

• Long-Stay Visa (D-type Visa): After receiving the final approval by the SEM, the applicant is then advised to seek a D-type Visa at the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in a foreign country.
• Entry and Registration: Once in Switzerland, the applicant has to register (within 14 days) at the Local Commune (town hall) to get his final Residence Permit / Residence Card (Permit B or L).

Essential Documents:

• Valid Employment Contract
• Evidence of Diplomas (Diplomas, CV, work references)
• clean criminal record (Police Clearance Certificate)
• Evidence of Accommodation (Rental agreement)

FAQs

Final Thoughts

The fact that one wants to work in Switzerland is a highly desirable goal, yet the system is so structured that only the best can be admitted to work. The only way to succeed is to devise a plan that will result in a position that is actually important to the Swiss economy, a salary that will be able to match the necessary High Salary threshold and working hands in hands with your employer to fulfill the strict requirements of the Priority Rule. Begin by aiming at jobs that are highly in demand in major economic centres such as Zurich, Geneva and Basel.

---

Disclaimer

This paper is informative and educational only. The Swiss system of work permits, such as the Annual Quota numbers of both the Permit B and Permit L and the certain salary requirements are subject to modification by the Federal Migration Authority (SEM) and Cantonal Labour Market Authorities. Before implementing decisions and initiating applications, readers are encouraged to research all the information provided to the official websites of Swiss government or enlist the services of a qualified immigration attorney.