UK citizens planning to move to Switzerland: the 7 things you need to know to apply for a work permit
From January 2021, UK citizens who plan to work in Switzerland are subject to strict conditions to be able to apply for a work permit.
Here are the 7 things to know before applying:
- It is the employer who must apply for the work permit on behalf of the British worker at least three months before the proposed starting date. The employer must be able to demonstrate that no Swiss or European worker was found for the position and that the British worker is a skilled professional holding specific expertise.
- A total number of 2’100 B permits and 1’400 L permits are available per year specifically to British citizens. At the moment, the cantonal approval does not need to be reviewed by the SEM (Secrétariat d’Etat aux Migrations) in Bern, in contrary to other non-EU applicants.
- The employer must send the permit application to cantonal immigration authorities by joining the relevant applicant form with:
-
Color copy of passport
-
CV and copies of diplomas
-
A motivation letter explaining why the UK worker was chosen for the position
-
Proof that the job was advertised on the local and European job market for at least 20 days
-
A description of the company (number of employees and types of work permit)
-
Copy of the work contract signed by both parties
- The British worker, if approved, should then announce his arrival in the canton within 14 days and send his criminal excerpt and copy of rental agreement to cantonal authorities.
- This process applies for any type of activity: work, internship, voluntary work or performing as an artist.
- British citizens who have already obtained a Swiss permit prior Brexit have their rights protected by the agreement on acquired rights, meaning that they are regulated by the agreement on the freedom of movement of people (AFMP) or not by the federal law on foreigners and integration (LEI).
- British citizens who leave Switzerland for more than 6 months can see their permit revoked and lose the protection of acquired rights, they will permanently lose their rights to live and work in Switzerland as an EU citizen in the future.
