The term “employer sponsored” immigration has appeared on some websites in Switzerland advising foreigners about ways to get a Swiss work permit. But is it a new way to get into Switzerland?
Though it sounds as if it could be a new way for immigrants to settle in Switzerland, the term really isn’t.
In fact, a huge proportion of foreigners – 40 percent, according to the Federal Statistical Office – come to Switzerland for work, so this kind of immigration is already employment-related.
However, there are significant differences if we look at the extent to which the ‘employer-sponsored’ immigrration is relevant to different nationals.
Citizens of the EU and EFTA (Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), have it relatively easy.
Though these people can work in Switzerland without much ado if their contracts don’t exceed 90 days, they do need to present an employment contract to their cantonal migration office in order to receive their permit.
This sounds – and is – a simple enough process, especially when compared with what the non-EU/EFTA nationals need to go through to immigrate to Switzerland.
And this is where the term ‘employer-sponsored immigration” fully kicks in
That’s because contrary to their EU/EFTA counterparts, third-country nationals need a Swiss employer to sponsor them – or, put another way, guarantee them a job.
That, however, is much more complex than it sounds on paper.
Many legal and administrative bumps
A job offer is only the first of many steps, however.
Your employer needs to prove to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) your worthiness for the country’s economy.
According to SEM, “admission of third-state nationals to the Swiss labour market is only granted if it is in the interests of Switzerland and the Swiss economy as a whole.”
This means that third-country applicants must have a degree from a university or an institution of higher education, as well as a number of years of professional work experience.
Also, the employer has to prove that an equally qualified specialist in a given field can’t found among the Swiss or EU/EFTA workforce – who have the priority to jbs in Switzerland.
READ MORE: What do third-country nationals need to do to move to Switzerland?
If this process is successful and you are given a Swiss visa and a work permit, you can then say that you have benefited from the ‘employer-sponsored immigration’.
Is this always so hard?
Most of the time, yes.
But certain foreigners from outside the EU/EFTA don’t, however, have to meet as many requirements to be allowed to work in Switzerland.
That’s because Switzerland has concluded agreements with various third countries on the exchange of young professionals.
According to 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 up to the age of 35 are eligible for this programme.
(If, however, you are a citizen of Russia, check whether you are still eligible to participate, as current sanctions may no longer allow it).
READ MORE: The non-EU workers who get better access to Swiss work permits
