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Swiss canton accused of being ‘too strict’ with residence permits for foreigners

By requiring foreigners to show their criminal records before being allowed to live in Ticino, cantonal authorities are violating a bilateral treaty that Switzerland signed with the EU, critics say.

Published: 2 October 2020 15:19 CEST

Swiss canton accused of being 'too strict' with residence permits for foreigners

Ticino shares a border with Italy through which over 67,000 people come to work in the Swiss canton. Photo by AFP

Ticino’s practice of checking criminal records of immigrants wanting to live in the canton “helps us to identify people who have committed serious crimes”, Norman Gobbi, the president of the local government, said in an interview with SRF broadcaster.

“This is also a protective measure against the influence of organized crime, which is gaining a foothold throughout Switzerland,” he added.

However, many left-of-centre groups argue that Ticino’s measures are not only “too strict”, but that they also violate the terms of the Free Movement of Persons Agreement (AFMP), which gives EU and EFTA nationals the right to live and work in Switzerland.

Ticino enacted this requirement in 2015 — the only canton to do so, and has refused to nullify it since then.

READ MORE: EU immigration: Switzerland’s foreign workers in numbers

“We informed the Ticino authorities that this measure contradicts the AFMP and to refrain from this practice ”, Lukas Rieder, spokesman for the State Secretariat for Migration said.

However, after analysing the situation, the Federal Council determined that there could be a possible solution for this impasse.

“In the EU, there is a program that allows the exchange of such criminal records”, Rieder said.

“Switzerland is trying to check whether participating in this program would respond to Ticino's concerns without violating the AFMP rules”.

If that is the case, other cantons would be able to enforce the same requirement as well.

Nearly 28 percent of Ticino’s residents are foreign nationals.

Additionally, about 67,000 cross-border workers from Italy commute to their jobs in Ticino each day.

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What are the best ways to search for your next job in Switzerland?

The good news is that, as a country that serves as a world centre of finance, pharmaceuticals, and research, Switzerland offers an environment very friendly to English speakers. Unlike some European countries, hiring is a flexible and open process.

That said, some hints will help you in your Swiss job search.

Know where to look

Before beginning your job search, knowing where most of your industry’s jobs are is essential.

As The Local Switzerland has previously discussed, Zurich is Switzerland’s financial capital, whereas most pharmaceutical players are based in Basel.

The life sciences are concentrated in ‘Health Valley’, stretching from Geneva to Montreaux.

Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Bern, Basel, and St Gallen also have large universities that employ many researchers from abroad.

Knowing where jobs are based will allow you to concentrate your search, and give you the time to more fully research and understand the needs of particular companies.

READ MORE: Where are the jobs in Switzerland for English speakers?

Develop your Xing as well as your LinkedIn profile

Most job seekers within professional working environments will have a LinkedIn profile to share with prospective employers.

Xing is also a significant player in Switzerland, Germany, and Austria, and it’s normal for German-speaking professionals to have an accompanying profile on that platform.

Developing your presence on Xing can demonstrate that you are gaining a greater understanding of the Swiss working environment and establishing yourself as a long-term investment.

READ MORE: Can you find a job in Zurich if you don’t speak German?

Use specialised job boards

While many of the big job boards operate in Switzerland—Indeed and Monster, for example—several job boards focus on Swiss jobs specifically or service a key segment of the job market.

Jobs.ch, jobup.ch, and Jobscout24 are popular sites within Switzerland and are often the first port of call for job seekers. Each has an English version and a user-friendly interface.

Several specialist job boards exist for specialised roles, such as those in the IT or medical research sectors.

Using a profession-based job board allows employers to draw from a more concentrated talent pool while offering job seekers a more significant opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills.

SwissDevJobs.ch is a popular destination for IT professionals, whereas Praxisstellen.ch specialises in pharmaceutical and medical research jobs. SwissTopJobs.ch is an excellent place to look for C-suite jobs in the finance and banking sectors.

Networking is essential

While there is often a perception that job hunting in Switzerland is very process-oriented, you may be surprised to learn that many positions are filled via word of mouth.

Suppose you have friends or former colleagues already found a position within a Swiss firm. In that case, asking what positions are opening and whether you could apply is not unreasonable or rude.

Word of mouth and hiring through connections are common in the Swiss IT field, but they are also common within several other industries, particularly among startups.

Read More: Where are Switzerland’s biggest international companies?

Use your initiative

You may also be surprised to hear that simply applying to a firm with your resume isn’t looked down upon in Switzerland (or the German-speaking world).

This is known as an Initiativbewerbung (or simply ‘application on the initiative’), and employers often regard it very favourably.

To make an Initiativbewerbung, you’ll need your Anschreiben or lettre de motivation (cover letter), Lebenslauf or resume (curriculum vitae or CV), testimonials from other employers, and copies of any relevant certificates or qualifications.

When naming these files, remember to use the German terms—it will help when they are searched for later!

It’s worth taking the time to identify and address your application directly to the head or manager of the particular department you’re looking to work within. This will create a stronger impression, and there’s less chance of losing it in the daily flow of emails and information.

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