Important Updates
Important Updates
May 12, 2026 | MozambiqueMozambique: Proof of Job Vacancy Advertisement Now Required Before Hiring Foreign Nationals
May 13, 2026 | AustriaAustria: New Labor Authority Requirements for Verifying Professional Experience
May 13, 2026 | PortugalPortugal: Issue on System for CPLP Residence Permits
May 13, 2026United States: June 2026 Visa Bulletin – Significant Retrogression for EB-2 India, Moderate Retrogression for EB-1 India, and Modest Advancement for EB-3 India and EB-3 China
May 12, 2026 | Czech RepublicCzech Republic: Registration and Deregistration Process Streamlined
May 12, 2026 | MozambiqueMozambique: Proof of Job Vacancy Advertisement Now Required Before Hiring Foreign Nationals
May 13, 2026 | AustriaAustria: New Labor Authority Requirements for Verifying Professional Experience
May 13, 2026 | PortugalPortugal: Issue on System for CPLP Residence Permits
May 13, 2026United States: June 2026 Visa Bulletin – Significant Retrogression for EB-2 India, Moderate Retrogression for EB-1 India, and Modest Advancement for EB-3 India and EB-3 China
May 12, 2026 | Czech RepublicCzech Republic: Registration and Deregistration Process Streamlined
May 12, 2026 | MozambiqueMozambique: Proof of Job Vacancy Advertisement Now Required Before Hiring Foreign Nationals
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastNavigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapCenter for Strategy and Applied InsightsVietnamese ImmigrationView More
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Travel and Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Center for Strategy and Applied Insights
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • View More

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMediaClient Portal
  • Insights

Switzerland: Streamlined Processes Forthcoming for Workers in Skill Shortage Occupations

March 18, 2022

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

The Swiss Federal Council will implement the following measures to streamline third country nationals’ residence and work permit processes: 

  • Employers seeking to hire third country nationals in industries with a skills shortage will no longer need to conduct a labor market test; 
  • Third country nationals in skills shortage occupations be eligible for a residence permit even without academic education; and 
  • Residence permit holders will be able to switch from employment to self-employment status without obtaining a new permit. 

These measures are expected to be implemented by the end of the year. 

The situation

The Swiss Federal Council is planning to implement measures to streamline third country nationals’ residence and work permit processes. These measures are expected to be implemented by the end of the year. 

A closer look

Change Impact

Improvements for those in skill shortage occupations.  

    • Employers seeking to hire third country nationals in industries with a skills shortage including engineering, information technology, education, technical and scientific fields, and the health sector will no longer need to conduct a labor market test.
    • Third country nationals in skills shortage occupations may be eligible for a residence permit even without academic education (this currently only applies to those with special professional knowledge). 
    • Employers seeking to hire third country nationals in skills shortage industries will face a less administratively burdensome and faster application process since the labor market test process involves multiple steps and can take up to three months. 
    • Employers will still need to follow minimum salary levels and hire skilled workers with proven experience for these areas, however a diploma in higher education will no longer be a requirement. This will open the pool of potential candidates in skills shortage positions. 
Switching to self-employment. Residence permit holders will be able to switch from employment to self-employment status.  
  • Currently, residence permit holders must obtain a new residence permit if they seek to switch to self-employment status.  
  • The authorities will set out new related rules by the end of December 2023.  

Background

The government will be adopting these changes to encourage skilled foreign workers to enter the labour market, following the Federal Council’s report on changes in migration policy that will better meet Switzerland’s needs. 

Looking ahead

All three measures are expected to be implemented by the end of 2022. There will be a revision of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration by the end of December 2023 that will include the publication of these changes. We will report on related developments. 

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].   

Country / Territory

  • SwitzerlandSwitzerland

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

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.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

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.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

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.

Learn more

Video

Understanding Immigration in Latin America: Residency Options and Citizenship Pathways

Latin America & the Caribbean Managing Partner Leonor Echeverria explores how Latin America’s evolving immigration landscape offers accessible and flexible residence pathways for foreign nationals, highlighting key visa options, regional trends and the growing role of digital modernization across the region.

Learn more

Podcast

Reality Check Pt. 2: Immigration Law in Pop Culture

Senior Associate Stephanie Weaver and Associate Julia Manacher continue their discussion on immigration law in popular culture, examining how television and media portray immigration processes and the realities behind common immigration storylines.

Learn more

Media mentions

Bloomberg: Trump Wants to Make H-1B Workers More Expensive for US Employers

Partner Kevin Miner discusses how proposed H-1B salary threshold increases may raise employer costs and influence hiring strategies for specialized talent across industries.

Learn more

Video

Portugal Extends Citizenship Timeline | #MobilityMinute

In this Mobility Minute, Manager Pierangelo D’Errico discusses Portugal’s newly approved nationality law changes and the potential impact on Golden Visa applicants and other foreign residents.

Learn more

Media mentions

Global Mobility Lawyer: AI Use in UK Immigration Tribunals Prompts Scrutiny Over Decision-Making Process

Partner Rajiv Naik highlights the importance of transparency, clear guidance and human oversight as AI use expands in UK immigration tribunals.

Learn more

Video

Europe’s Entry and Exit System (EES): What Travelers Need to Know

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.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2026年4月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Silicon Valley Business Journal: Trump’s H-1B Overhaul Favors Deep-Pocketed Bay Area Firms Over Indian Staffing Agencies

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

EB-5 I-526E Request For Evidence Trends: Loans and Property Sales

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

The Nordic Immigration Paradox: Why Digital Efficiency Still Creates Compliance Risk

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.

Learn more

Work authorization

Canada FIFA World Cup 2026 Visa & Entry Requirements

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.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Relief for Some OPT Applicants in “Immigration Limbo”

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.

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • AI Transparency Statement
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • TikTok
  • Twitter

© 2026 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.