Permit Application Process
Once the candidate has accepted the CSCS job offer, foreign candidates will need to provide the necessary documentation for the HR Officer to apply for their work and residence permit.
Documents required
In order to process a work and residence permit application, the HR Officer will need copies of the following documents for yourself and any other members of your family that will relocate with you:
• Passport
• Birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or certificate for registered partnership (where applicable)
• For unmarried partners proof of continuous cohabitation for 6 year period.
Citizens of EU /EFTA member states
For EU/ EFTA state members, the new employee may travel to Switzerland and submit the prepared paperwork at the local “Ufficio Stranieri” (Foreigner Office). The application is then processed and the permit received within 2 -4 weeks. The employee can commence work immediately after submitting the application.
Citizens from non EU/ EFTA states
For citizens from outside the EU/EFTA, an 8 -10 weeks application process applies during which the applicant may not enter Switzerland or begin work.
The process
Once CSCS has gathered all the required documents the following process will commence. Note: this process will take between 8 and 10 weeks.
Application submission | By CSCS | CSCS submits the relevant application documents to the cantonal employment service. Workers from nations subject to visa requirement are requested to concurrently apply for a visa with the local Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. |
Application screening | The cantonal employment service | Screens and makes a preliminary decision. Applications approved by the canton need to be submitted to the Federal Office for Migration for final approval. |
Application screening | The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) | Processes applications according to criteria relevant to the whole of Switzerland. The applicant, employer and both cantonal offices receive a formal written decision from the Migration Office. The decision is subject to a charge, payable by CSCS, and authorizes the applicant to enter Switzerland. |
Issuance of visa | The cantonal migration authority (formerly aliens’ police department) | Advises (by consent of FOM where persons from nations subject to visa requirements are concerned) the appropriate Swiss diplomatic representation abroad online to issue visa. Applicants are requested to collect their visa at that specific Swiss representation. |
Registration | The employee | Registers himself with the residents’ registration office not longer than 14 days after his entry into Switzerland. Only then is he allowed to take up his employment. |
Application submission by CSCS | CSCS submits the relevant application documents to the cantonal employment service. Workers from nations subject to visa requirement are requested to concurrently apply for a visa with the local Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. |
Application screening | The cantonal employ-ment service Screens and makes a preliminary decision. Applications approved by the canton need to be submitted to the Federal Office for Migration for final approval. |
Application screening | The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) Processes applications according to criteria relevant to the whole of Switzerland. The applicant, employer and both cantonal offices re-ceive a formal written decision from the Migration Office. The decision is subject to a charge, payable by CSCS, and does not authorize the applicant to enter Switzerland. |
Issuance of visa | The cantonal migration authority (formerly aliens’ police department) Advises (by consent of FOM where persons from nations subject to visa requirements are concerned) the appropriate Swiss diplomatic representation abroad online to issue visa. Applicants are requested to collect their visa at that specific Swiss representation. |
Registration | The employee Registers himself with the residents’ registration office not longer than 14 days after his entry into Switzerland. Only then is he allowed to take up his employment. |
Short-term contracts EU/EFTA citizens (less than 90 days)
For employees from EU/EFTA states that will be in Switzerland for less than 90 days a shortened online registration suffices to grant the necessary work and residence permit. CSCS must register the employee at least 8 days before their entry into Switzerland through an online registration form. CSCS will receive an e-mail acknowledgement of the registration. A copy of this will serve as the employee's permit.