Preparation and Entry
Work permit: have your employer file the application
For third-country nationals the employer files the application with the cantonal labour market authority. Only specialists and managers with a university degree or equivalent qualification and several years of professional experience are admitted. The employer must demonstrate priority for domestic workers — that is, prove no candidate was found in Switzerland or the EU/EFTA area — and comply with the salary and working conditions customary for the location, profession and sector. Permits are subject to federal quotas. Do not start work before the permit decision.
Who this applies to. This guide applies if the nationality group is Third country and the employment situation in Switzerland is either Employed, Self-employed or Posted worker.
Checklist
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Sign the employment contract
The signed contract is a prerequisite; without it the cantonal labour market authority does not accept an application.
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Submit diplomas and references to your employer
University degree or equivalent qualification plus several years of professional experience; the cantonal authority assesses them in its admission decision.
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Have your employer document priority for domestic workers
The employer proves to the cantonal labour market authority that the position was advertised and no candidate from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA area was found.
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Wait for the quota allocation and the permit decision
The canton and the State Secretariat for Migration (federal) decide one after the other; work may only begin after the decision.
Costs
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Employer's fee free of charge
Your employer files the application and bears the fee.
No total: the items depend on conditions and on your situation. A total without your answers would be too high or too low depending on the case — the cost calculation in your plan uses them.
Frequently asked questions
Who does this guide apply to?
This guide applies if the nationality group is Third country and the employment situation in Switzerland is either Employed, Self-employed or Posted worker.
What does it cost?
Employer's fee: free of charge.
What do I need to do?
Sign the employment contract; Submit diplomas and references to your employer; Have your employer document priority for domestic workers; Wait for the quota allocation and the permit decision.
As of: 08.10.2026