How to hire a non-EU employee in Switzerland, step by step

Hiring someone from outside the EU/EFTA is possible, but Switzerland admits third-country nationals only under clear conditions. The employer, not the employee, applies. This guide walks you through what the authorities check, how the procedure runs, and where it usually goes wrong.

1. Check that the hire can qualify

The federal rules set several conditions that all have to be met:

• Overall economic interest. The hire must be in Switzerland's economic interest, and you explain why in the application.
• Quotas. Permits for third-country nationals are limited. For 2026 the Federal Council set the maximum at 4,500 B permits and 4,000 L permits, plus a separate quota for UK nationals (2,100 B and 1,400 L).
• Priority for local candidates. You must show that you could not find a suitable person in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA, with real recruitment efforts.
• Job registration duty. For professions with a national unemployment rate of 5% or more, the vacancy must first be registered with the regional employment office (RAV).
• Qualifications. Admission is limited to managers, specialists and other qualified workers, usually with a university degree and several years of experience.
• Pay and working conditions. Salary and terms must match what is customary for the place, profession and sector. The contract should state that it only applies if the permit is granted.
• Accommodation. Suitable housing must be available.

There are exceptions, for example for senior managers transferred within a company or for graduates of Swiss universities. Whether one applies depends on the details of the case.

2. Prepare the application file

A complete file on day one is the single biggest factor for a smooth procedure. Typically it includes the signed employment contract, a job description, the candidate's CV, diplomas and passport, evidence of your recruitment efforts and, where required, proof of the RAV registration. Each canton has its own forms and checklist, so the exact list depends on where the person will work.

3. The procedure, from submission to first working day

1. The employer applies to the cantonal labour market or migration authority in the canton of work.
2. The canton examines the case and makes a preliminary decision.
3. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) gives its approval for cases the canton supports. The decision is charged to the employer, and it does not yet allow entry.
4. Visa. If the person needs a visa, the cantonal authority authorises it, and the person collects it at the Swiss embassy or consulate.
5. Entry and registration. After arrival, the person registers with the local authority within 14 days. Work may only start after registration.

4. How long it takes

In our experience it usually takes 8 to 12 weeks from submission, sometimes faster. Plan the start date accordingly: a start within a month of submitting is not realistic.

5. Common reasons for delays and refusals

• A start date that is too early for the procedure.
• Thin evidence of the search for local and EU/EFTA candidates.
• A salary below what is customary for the role and region.
• Missing documents, which lead to questions from the authority and lost weeks.

How we help

We check your case first, prepare a complete file, submit it to the canton and follow it through to the decision, at a fixed price. Start with our two-minute eligibility check for a first assessment, or write to us about your case.

Sources

• SEM: Admission to the labour market for non-EU/EFTA nationals
• SEM: Procedure (Verfahrensablauf)
• Federal Council: quotas for 2026 (press release, 19 November 2025)

This guide is general information, not legal advice. The decision lies with the cantonal authorities and SEM.