EURAXESS SWITZERLAND

1. Entry Conditions


1.1 Visas

Legal basis for access to the Swiss labour market by foreign nationals
There are different regulations governing entry into Switzerland (e.g. for tourists, employed persons, students or pensioners). Information can be obtained from Swiss representations abroad, at the Cantonal Migration Offices or at the Federal Office for Migration.

Switzerland has a dual system for granting foreign nationals access to the Swiss labour market. Persons from EU or EFTA member states, regardless of their qualifications, are granted easy access to the Swiss labour market under the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. The introduction of the free movement of persons takes place gradually, which is why transitional measures and therefore specific regulations are still applicable to some states:

  • EU-17/EFTA: For citizens of France, Germany, Austria, Italy, Spain, Portugal, the UK, Ireland, Denmark, Sweden, Finland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxemburg, Greece, Cyprus, Malta, Norway, Iceland und Liechtenstein the full free movement of persons applies since June 1 2007.

  • EU-8: For citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania and Slovenia, who wish to take up employment in Switzerland, specific regulations apply.

  • Bulgaria and Romania: The agreement on the Free Movement of Person is not yet applicable. Negotiations are under way. So fare citizens ot these 2 countries are treated like third country nationals.

On Friday 12 December 2008 the Schengen association agreement of Switzerland was fully implemented. Since that date Schengen visas will be accepted to enter Switzerland.

By decree of the Federal Council, workers from all other states - third states, as they are referred to - are admitted in limited numbers to the labour market in Switzerland, if they are well qualified. The criteria for admittance are contained in the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (AuG; 16. 12.2005) and in the Decree on Admittance, Residence and Employment (VZAE, 24.10.2007). Within the applicable legal framework Switzerland pursues an open policy of admission for third country researchers.

 

Visa fees
The fees for the issue of a visa are controlled by the cantons. The maximum amount should not exceed:
- CHF 55.00 (for one to six months)
- up to CHF 165.00 (for six and more month, depending on the lenght)

Verordnung über die Gebühren zum Bundesgesetz über die Ausländerinnen und Ausländer vom 24. Oktober 2007 (pdf)