While citizens of the European Union, as well as Norway and Iceland (EFTA), have easier access to Switzerland’s labour market, stricter rules apply to those from the so-called “third nations” — countries that are not members of the EU. Due to Brexit, the UK is part of this group.

Each year the Federal Council issues a certain number of work permits for non-EU citizens.

“The Swiss economy must be able to continue to recruit the skilled workforce it needs in 2021”, the government said in a statement it released in November. 

It added that “while Swiss companies recruit their workforce in Switzerland as much as possible, they are sometimes forced to call on foreign workers. They should therefore be able to continue to recruit in third countries in addition to EU and EFTA nations”.

How many permits did Switzerland issue for 2021?

The same number as last year: 8,500.

From this quota, 4,500 people will be granted a residence permit B, and the remaining 4,000 will receive a short-term residence permit L, entitling them to work in Switzerland for up to one year.

Only UK nationals get a separate quota (see below).

What is the process for obtaining a work permit?

In order to receive a work permit as a third country national, you must have an employment contract. Obtaining one is not easy, as companies can only hire people from these countries if no Swiss workers or EU/EFTA citizens can be found to fill the position.

How to apply for Swiss citizenship: An essential guide

If hired, a Swiss embassy in your home country will issue a visa for you allowing entry to Switzerland. Once here, you must register your arrival with the authorities in your place of residence. They will send your documents to the canton which, in turn, will issue your work permit, based on the kind of employment contract you have — L if you will work here less than a year, or B, which is valid for up to five years.

I am an American and want to move to Switzerland. Can I?  

As third country nationals, Americans are subjected to the same conditions as other non-EU/EFTA citizens.

What about UK citizens?

From January 1st, 2021, people from Great Britain are no longer considered to be EU nationals and will be subjected to the same rules as other citizens of third nations.

“You will be admitted to work here provided if this is in Switzerland’s overall economic interest”, according to State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). 

But there is a “but”.

The Federal Council has decided that Swiss companies can continue to recruit specialised employees from the United Kingdom, setting a separate quota for British workers. In 2021, 3,500 work authorisations are reserved especially for UK nationals — 2,100 B permits and 1,400 L permits.

READ MORE: An essential guide to Swiss work permits

These quotas will be valid for one year and will be distributed to the cantons on a quarterly basis.

“Until further notice, the authorisations granted to British nationals will not be subject to the federal government’s approval procedure and will fall exclusively under cantonal jurisdiction”, authorities said. 

They added that “this measure takes into account the extraordinary situation in the United Kingdom and constitutes a transitional solution for one year. It does not set a precedent for the regulations applicable after 2021”.

The government also said that if no agreement can be reached next year between the two countries, “the quotas intended for British citizens will be integrated in 2022 into those allocated to all the third states”.

READ MORE: ANALYSIS: What Brexit means for Switzerland

And there’s more

Not all UK citizens are subjected to this rule.

It doesn’t apply to British nationals who had moved to Switzerland before the end of the Brexit transition period (December 31st 2020) — they will retain all their existing rights for residence and employment.

“However, UK nationals with a valid permit may be informed that they need to exchange their current permit for a different one. If they are not informed that they need a different permit, they must simply apply for a new one before their existing one expires”, SEM said.

It added that “after December 31st, 2020, UK nationals will be issued with a biometric residence permit marked (in German, French and Italian) “In accordance with the CH-UK agreement of 25.02.2020”

You can find more information about the post-Brexit rights of UK citizens in Switzerland’s on SEM’s site.

What hiring criteria does Switzerland have for citizens of a non-EU/EFTA state?

SEM specified that to to qualify for a work permit under the set quota, you have to be highly qualified — that is, a specialist in your field or another skilled professional. 

This means that you should have a degree from a university or an institution of higher education, as well as a number of years of professional work experience.

If you are planning to stay in Switzerland for several years, you will also have to fulfill other conditions that will facilitate your long-term professional and social integration. The key factors are your professional and social adaptability, language skills and age.

READ MORE: Switzerland: Brexit deal is ‘good news for the whole world’ 

What about working holiday visas? 

Over the past few decades, countries around the globe have rolled out ‘working holiday visa’ agreements. 

These visa schemes, largely targeted at young people, allow people to work and live in a particular country, usually for a set period of time and pursuant to certain conditions. 

In recent years, Switzerland has expanded its own form of a ‘working holiday visa’, although there are some important differences to be aware of. 

Known formally as ‘international trainee exchange agreements’, Switzerland’s scheme places the emphasis on work rather than holiday. 

Unlike some of the better known schemes like those in place in Australia, applicants are discouraged from moving around and are generally required to stay with the one employer for the duration. 

The goal of the visa scheme is to allow applicants to “expand their occupational and linguistic skills in Switzerland”. 

The visa scheme runs for 18 months and cannot be extended. 

EXPLAINED: How to get a working holiday visa in Switzerland