The quota for EU nationals on assignment in Switzerland has been exhausted for the first quarter of 2015. Work permit applications filed after February 1, 2015 may be rejected in some cantons, while other cantons may process applications on a first come, first served basis once the second quarter quotas are released on April 1, 2015. This practice may be subject to change depending on the volume of applications.
In Switzerland, foreign workers on assignments lasting over four months are subject to quotas.
In some cantons, employers can file work permit applications starting one month before quota numbers are released (i.e. as of March 1, 2015 for the second quarter for assignments that start April 1, 2015 or later).
What This Means for Employers and Foreign Nationals
EU nationals intending to apply for work permits in Switzerland and their employers should be aware of the potential rejection of applications due to the quota exhaustion, and should start planning assignments a few months in advance to assess all work permit possibilities.
EU nationals should check with the canton where they will file their work permit application to determine whether it accepts applications before the next quota numbers are released.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
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