Switzerland: Streamlined Processes Forthcoming for Workers in Skill Shortage Occupations

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. 

• 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.