About Switzerland
Whether your company is sending employees to Switzerland or expanding your worldwide footprint—Fragomen is here to help. Our experienced immigration professionals partner with businesses of all sizes to develop immigration strategies that can help you achieve your goals.
- Switzerland's immigration system provides several options for employers of foreign nationals. Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Area and European Free Trade Organisation (EFTA), but not the European Union or European Economic Area. Switzerland is a federal state divided into 26 cantons. Immigration processing and document requirements vary considerably among the 26 Swiss cantons as each canton is responsible for interpreting and enforcing the federal immigration law. Requirements, processing times, employment eligibility and benefits for accompanying family members vary by permit type.
- Business visitors to Switzerland typically require an Entry (Business) Visa unless they are visa exempt based on their nationality. Business trips typically should be limited to no more than 14 consecutive days. Depending on the purpose of stay, supporting documents, and circumstances of the case, customs officials can grant shorter stays. Additionally, the Schengen Area limits stays to 90 days in a 180-day period, counted across the entire Schengen Area.
- Switzerland offers several main work permit categories that are suitable for a range of transfer types. The eligibility criteria, process, and document requirements depend on the planned duration of stay, the nationality of the applicant, and the nature of the transfer (home or host contract). Labour market testing and quotas (split between the federal and cantonal levels) typically apply to all transfers, although some transfers benefit from limited labour market testing.
Fragomen can also consult on citizenship matters and, as permitted within the confines of local law, may be able to offer citizenship assistance.
Fragomen Global Immigration Services, LLC (Zurich Branch) is a limited liability company providing immigration consultancy services in Switzerland.
Firmwide services
-
Business Visa Services and Technology
Guidance, support and technology to help you get your business travelers on the ground quickly and compliantly.
-
Consular Services
Personalized support to help ease the burden of complex immigration consular processing.
-
Corporate Immigration Program Development
World-class corporate immigration services to help you optimize your immigration operations.
-
Crisis Management Services
The help you need, when you need it most.
-
Digital Nomad Services
Advice and planning for your growing Digital Nomad population.
-
Document Services
Proactive planning and on-the-ground support to streamline the immigration document process.
-
Employment Verification Services
Modern, streamlined employment verification solutions to increase your compliance and minimize your exposure to risk.
-
Government Advisory Services
Strategic and tailored consultation to help you achieve your business goals.
-
Immigration Analytics, Benchmarking and Knowledge
Robust resources to help you understand immigration in a changing world.
-
Immigration Compliance Services
Experienced guidance to help manage your most complicated immigration activities and maximize your compliance.
-
Immigration Enforcement Defense Services
Enforcement defense and internal investigations assistance to help defend your business against immigration noncompliance.
-
Immigration Litigation Services
Experienced, skilled immigration litigation to help you resolve complex situations.
-
Immigration Technology Solutions
Pragmatic, leading-edge technology solutions that support our clients’ immigration experiences.
-
Immigration Training
Unmatched training means better immigration experiences for your employees.
-
Immigration Work Permit Services
Comprehensive, end-to-end immigration services and technology to help streamline business immigration.
-
Private Client Services
Sound, holistic alternative residency and citizenship solutions to help you seize your opportunities.
-
Remobilization Services
Strategic support to help remobilize quickly and prepare for the future of work.
-
Remote Work Strategic Services for Employers
As the world moves forward from the pandemic, some companies are calling employees back to the office full-time, while others are implementing or formalizing hybrid work schedules.
-
Value-Added Services
A wealth of complimentary benefits to enrich your immigration experience.