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SwitzerlandWork permitsLast checked October 16, 2026

Work and residence permit for non-EU/EFTA nationals

short-term L and residence B permits within quotas

Switzerland admits third-country workers only if they are managers, specialists or other qualified workers, the job serves the overall economic interest, and no suitable worker from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA can be found. Pay and conditions must be usual for the region and sector, and yearly federal quotas apply (8,500 permits for 2026). The employer applies to the cantonal authority, and SEM gives final approval.

See requirements ↓

Life in Switzerland

Money

3

Currency

Swiss Franc

CHF

Swiss Franc

Cost of living

128

Price level · US = 100

World Bank price levels, 2025

Tax

0.77–11.5%

Income tax (national)

VAT 8.1%

Federal direct tax only: rises in steps (marginal rate peaks at 13.2%) to a flat 11.5% on very high incomes (about CHF 794,000+ for single people, before inflation indexing); cantonal and communal taxes come on top and are usually much larger.

Official rates, 2026 · headline only

Living

1

Happiness

7.0

#10 of 145 countries

World Happiness Report 2025

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Who it’s for

Highly qualified non-EU/EFTA nationals, usually with a university degree and several years of experience, who have a job offer from a Swiss employer able to prove no suitable local or EU/EFTA candidate exists.

Eligibility

  • Qualified workers only

    Admission is limited to managers, specialists and other qualified workers, mainly people with a university or university of applied sciences degree plus several years of professional experience.

  • Overall economic interest

    Applicants must explain and document why their admission is in the overall interest of the Swiss economy.

  • Priority for domestic and EU/EFTA workers

    The employer must prove genuine but failed recruitment efforts in Switzerland and the EU/EFTA, including registering the vacancy with the regional employment centre (RAV) and advertising on EURES.

A sneak peek at what's inside

  • Next requirementJob notification duty
  • Document checklistWork permit application to the cantonal labour market or migration authority
  • Steps to applyThe employer searches for suitable candidates in Switzerland and the EU/EFTA, re

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  • 6 more requirements
  • 10 documents
  • 7 steps
  • Processing times and conditions
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