While citizens of the EU and EFTA states (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) have a limitless access to Switzerland’s labour market, getting a work permit is a much more complex process for third-country nationals.
They can’t just pack up their bags and move to Switzerland on a whim.
Instead, they must first find a Swiss employer willing to hire them (or be recruited by a company in Switzerland), who will then have to prove to the immigration authorities that the jobseeker in question is a highly specialised professional in a given field, who is much needed by the Swiss economy, and that no Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate can be found for the position.
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There are a few exemptions to these rules, but generally speaking, a third-country candidate must fulfil a myriad of conditions before being allowed to work and live in Switzerland.
Certain foreigners from outside the EU/EFTA don’t, however, have to meet as many requirements to be allowed to work (and further their careers) in Switzerland.
Who are these lucky individuals?
Switzerland has concluded agreements with various third countries on the exchange of young professionals.
According to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), these agreements “enable young people who have completed their education (at least a bachelor’s degree or a two-year apprenticeship) and who wish to broaden their professional and language skills in Switzerland, to obtain a work permit."
Nationals of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the USA are eligible for this programme.
“Young professionals are required to work in the profession that they have learned or in the field of their studies," SEM said. “The purpose of the stay as a Young Professional is career development,”
As an added perk, these people will benefit from Switzerland’s wages.
“Remuneration is in line with local and industry standards, taking into account collective labour agreements and cantonal guidelines,” SEM said.
This may be a dream opportunity for many foreign nationals who would otherwise not have access to the Swiss labour market; however, this type of permit does not pave the way to longterm employment because it is granted for a maximum of 18 months.
How can you know whether you are eligible to apply for this programme?
You must meet these criteria set out by SEM:
- Be a citizen of one of the contracting countries.
- Be between 18 and 35 years old, except for people from Australia, where the age requirement is 20 to 30, as well as New Zealand and Russia — 18 to 30. (If, however, you are a citizen of Russia, check whether you are still eligible to participate, as current sanctions may no longer allow it).
- Have completed vocational training (apprenticeship, university of applied sciences, or regular university.
- You work in the profession in which you have been trained. Access is possible for all professions; for professions that require diploma recognition, the corresponding permit must be enclosed. .Part-time work or self-employment is not permitted.
How can you apply for this programme?
You should fill out an application form, which you can find at the bottom of the SEM page.
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