How do you come to work here?
How do you come to work here?
"I'm of Polish origin and I love discovering the world. I have several friends in Switzerland who have suggested that I move to the Geneva area because of its very international quality of life, but I can only consider it if I can work in your country. I've heard that it's difficult to get permission. Can you tell me how to go about it?
Catherine
As a European Union national, you do not need a residence permit to stay in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days per calendar year, even if you are gainfully employed, provided you register with the cantonal authorities. If you intend to stay for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a type B or L residence permit (the latter being of more limited duration), presenting a valid identity card or passport and a copy of the rental agreement you will need to sign for your accommodation; if you also wish to work, you will also need to produce the contract with your future employer. You may also consider moving to neighbouring France and apply for a frontier permit.
As of 30 April 2014, there are no longer any quotas applicable to the issue of B permits to citizens of Central Europe, with the exception of Bulgarians and Romanians. Until that date, Switzerland had activated the safeguard clause set out in its agreement with the EU on the free movement of persons, in response to what it considered to be an excessive influx of new residents and workers into its territory, by restricting their access to the Swiss labour market. Such measures will soon be reintroduced, however, following the Swiss people's acceptance on 9 February of a popular initiative "against mass immigration".
For the time being, if you decide to include the cosmopolitan city of Geneva in your discoveries, the application for a residence and work permit will have to be submitted by your future employer, unless you opt for self-employment. It should be sent to the Foreign Nationals Department of the Cantonal Population Office on a form available at www.ge.ch, together with a covering letter describing the employer's situation, plans and reasons for taking on the job, your curriculum vitae and copies of your diplomas, proof of research carried out on the Swiss market and a copy of the employment contract signed by at least the employer.
