The situation
The Federal Council has extended the yearly quota of 966 spots for Bulgarian and Romanian nationals applying for Category B EU/European Free Trade Association (EFTA) Work and Residence Permits until the end of May 2019. The quota was implemented June 1, 2017.
A closer look
Bulgarian and Romanian nationals applying for a Category B EU/EFTA Work and Residence Permit can only apply if there is an open quota spot. To determine this, the Swiss employer must file a quota application and await approval prior to filing for the work permit. The Swiss government can take up to six weeks to process a quota application.
Background
An annual quota of 966 spots is released on a quarterly basis and applies to the following Bulgarian and Romanian nationals seeking B-Permits:
-
Those with a Swiss employment contract of unlimited duration or validity of more than one year; or
-
Self-employed persons intending to work and reside in Switzerland.
Impact
Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will again be subject to a quota until the end of May 2019 and should initiate their applications for B-Permits as early as possible to increase their chances of having an available position within the quota restrictions.
If the quota is reached, immigration officials may reject B-Permit applications, in which case the worker can either leave Switzerland or instead apply for an L-Permit. Some Cantons may decide to automatically issue L-Permits once the quota has been reached.
Looking ahead
Starting June 2019, Bulgarian and Romanian nationals will no longer face a quota when seeking entry into Switzerland.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.
Video
Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.
Work authorization
Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.
Media mentions
Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.
Video
Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup outlines how Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES) introduces digital tracking of non-EU short-stay travel across the Schengen Area, requiring more proactive planning, accurate record-keeping and awareness of increased border processing times to avoid delays and overstay risks.
Fragomen news
Media mentions
Partner Chad Ellsworth discusses recent H-1B lottery changes, including salary-weighted selection and filing restrictions, and how they are influencing employer selection outcomes and hiring approaches for foreign talent.
Work authorization
Senior Associate Tracey Kimberly explores the recent increase in RFEs for EB‑5 I‑526E petitions, highlighting heightened USCIS scrutiny of source-of-funds documentation—particularly in cases involving loan-based investments and property sale proceeds.
Work authorization
Director Audrey Morew examines how Nordic immigration systems, while increasingly digital and efficient, can embed compliance risk earlier in the process—placing greater responsibility on employers to ensure data accuracy, internal controls and long‑term compliance from the outset.
Work authorization
Partner Rick Lamanna outlines Canada’s entry requirements for the FIFA World Cup 2026, highlighting visa and eTA processes, border expectations and special measures for participants to help travelers prepare for seamless entry during the tournament.
Media mentions
Partners Aaron Blumberg and Daniel Pierce discuss how a US pause on processing certain work permit applications including OPT creates uncertainty for international students and employers while early court rulings offer limited case-specific relief.
Fragomen news
Senior Counsel Jo Antoons, Senior Immigration Managers Manuela Birsan and Andreia Ghimis, Senior Manager Wout Van Doren, Associate Pauline Chomel and Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm contributed to the European Migration Network (EMN) Belgium report "Labour Migration in Times of Labour Shortages in Belgium."
Work authorization
Manager Pierangelo D'Errico explores how Italy’s Investor Visa is emerging as a strategic alternative to diminishing EU golden visa programmes, offering high‑net‑worth individuals flexible residence rights, deferred investment timing, Schengen access and a structured—though not accelerated—pathway to long‑term EU residence.
Media mentions
Partner Rick Lamanna discusses Canada’s expanded citizenship by descent rules extending eligibility to potentially millions of people worldwide with only distant ancestral ties.
Awards
Fragomen is recognised in Ibec’s Top 100 Companies Leading in Wellbeing Index 2026, highlighting its commitment to employee wellbeing and a supportive workplace culture.