Switzerland is an economically developed country known for its sophistication and unique taste. Working in Switzerland is the most profitable in comparison with other countries.
Economic situation
In April 2019, unemployment was 2,9%. This is an ultra low level. Young people from 15 to 24 years old have great chances of finding a job.
Average salary in Switzerland - 10,000 francs... In Zurich, wages are higher than the national average - 12,000 francs, in the east of the country is 8000-9000 francs... Men get more than women on 14,3%.
Residents of the former CIS countries work in the agricultural sector: they get a seasonal job - harvesting. They also have the opportunity to work in Switzerland as sellers, cooks, drivers, builders, employees of hotels, restaurants, janitors, cleaners. Only highly qualified specialists can claim the job.
It is almost impossible to get a high-paying position if the immigrant does not have a profession confirmed by documents. This:
- financier;
- engineer;
- accountant;
- programmer;
- foreign language teacher.
It is more profitable to apply for a work permit at the end of the year. A person who falls under the quotas doubles the chances of getting a permit.
Difficulties in finding employment for immigrants
- It is difficult for people over 50 to find work.
- Problems arise when processing permits for work.
- Tough measures against illegal employment.
- Several state languages.
Pros for job seekers
- You can get an internship in Switzerland and find a high-paying job, get a social package (sick leave, vacation).
- Labor exchanges to help Ostarbeiters.
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Competition level for work
The activity of job seekers from the countries of the former CIS in the field of employment is high. Available for third country nationals 6500 jobs... Of them:
- For a year you can get 2500.
- The rest - for a period not longer than 3 months.
Quotas are used up faster in large cantons - Zurich, Geneva.
The chances of compatriots getting a job are diminishing due to the mentality and the education system: the European is closer to the Swiss one. The absence of former CIS countries in the EU also creates difficulties in finding a job. Preference is given to an employee from the countries of the European Union.
Most in-demand professions in 2021
In 2021, the following directions are popular:
- Scarce: electronics, pharmacy, IT, telecommunications, mechanical engineering. People who work in these areas receive large salaries. For example, a pharmacist - from 70 to 95 thousand dollars a year.
- Seasonal work: service sector (restaurants, hotels), tourism, ski resorts, farms. On the farms - hard physical labor. Recently, the number of jobs has been limited.
The level of wages per month by profession
| Job vacancy | Monthly salary (EUR) |
| Diplomat | 15 000 |
| Employee of the bank | 13 000–14 000 |
| Engineer | 9500 |
| Doctor | 9000 |
| Pharmacist | 8000 |
| Civil servant | 8000 |
| IT specialist | 7500–8000 |
| Builder | 7500 |
| Elementary school teacher | 7300–8000 |
| Driver | 4500 |
| Waiter | 4300–5000 |
| Nurse | 4000 |
| Farmer, hairdresser | 4000 |
| Taxi driver | 3400–4000 |
| Other unskilled workers | 2000–3000 |
Social security and income tax are spent 20–25%.
Students under 30 years of age with knowledge of the German language for years can intern on their specialization in Switzerland from 3 to 18 months. In the future, they can be left to work in the same company.
Swiss cabarets are eagerly hiring young girls from Eastern Europe to work as dancers. But there is a risk of getting into bondage (prostitution, consumption).
How to find a job without intermediaries
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Jobs from direct employers can be found on the portal of the official Swiss civil service, in employment agencies, on websites. Vacancies are accompanied by links to the websites of firms, contacts of employers.
Notable job search sites
To use services for finding a job in Switzerland, you need to know English, German or French.
Links to such sites:
- jobwinner.ch
- www.jobup.ch
- www.jobs.ch
- www.jobscout24.ch
- topjobs.ch
- alpha.ch Applicants for leadership positions;
- www.jobsinnetwork.com Professionals who speak English;
- www.myscience.ch For innovation and research professionals;
Agencies, specialized resources
A well-known online labor force search agency in the country:
- www.manpower.ch
A list of newspapers with job advertisements in Switzerland can be found on this resource:
- www.zeitung.ch
Portal for students:
- www.students.ch
However, not all agencies will agree to cooperate with residents of countries that are not part of the European Union.
The services of an intermediary firm are paid after signing an employment contract.
Employment types
You can leave for Switzerland and get a permanent, temporary, seasonal job and work without knowing the language.
Switzerland is the most popular country for job seekers, but it is difficult to get a visa here.
Work without knowing the language
The country has 4 official languages:
- Deutsch;
- French;
- Romanesque;
- Italian.
Not all employers require deep knowledge of one of them. It depends on the nature of the job. In some cases, a basic level of proficiency in English or one of the country's languages is enough. For example, to work as a cleaner or a handyman.
For qualified labor, it is necessary to improve the knowledge of languages. You can get a job in IT without knowing the local language, but knowledge of English is required.
Seasonal work
You can get a job at least 3-4 months on a farm (caring for animals, plants, forestry). Usually the employer provides food and lodging.
Temporary job
For temporary, usually hard physical work, a permit is issued for a period of up to 1 year. People who do not have qualifications can make money quickly. This:
- farmer workers;
- waiters;
- pickers of vegetables (fruits).
Other options
If an immigrant stays in the country for more than 3 months, he signs an employment contract and a work permit, applies for a visa at the consulate.
Specialists in medicine, computer technology, law, finance, pedagogy can work under a contract that stipulates a specialty, medical insurance, accommodation, working hours. This:
- pharmacists;
- economists;
- lawyers;
- teachers;
- programmers;
- nurses (departure with the family is possible).
Unskilled workers have the opportunity to extend their contracts up to 1 - 1.5 years.
To work on a rotational basis (usually a shift is 1 month / 1 month), the following are required:
- handymen at machine-building plants;
- housekeepers, nannies;
- drivers;
- cooks.
Official employment procedure
Official employment begins with the selection of a suitable vacancy and agreement with the employer.
Priority of actions
Employment takes place in the following sequence:
- The host country sends the immigrant's employment application to the appropriate organization (employment service).
- The application is analyzed by the cantonal employment office and sent to the secretariat for migration.
- The document is reviewed again. The decision is sent to the parties involved in the process.
- If a positive decision is made, a visa is issued to enter through the Swiss consulate.
Types of work permits
In Switzerland, a work permit cannot be obtained without a residence permit. To obtain the right to live, you must have a job offer from an employer.
There are several types of them:
- annual;
- short-term (up to a year);
- cross-border seasonal;
- indefinite.
Categories that do not require a work permit
Long-term legal residence in Switzerland without a work permit is ensured:
- wealthy pensioners;
- students, learners;
- large taxpayers;
- people who are married to the Swiss;
- investors;
- businessmen.
The right to reside in the country must be supported by documents.
List of main documents
To obtain a work visa, you need 2 documents: an invitation from an employer, a Swiss work visa.
To obtain a visa you need:
- 3 questionnaires that are filled out in one of the official languages;
- 4 photos according to ICAO standards;
- 2 copies of the passport;
- certificate stating that there is no criminal record;
- confirmation of a work permit;
- if available, copies of Schengen visas;
- medical insurance;
- proof of financial security. The employer can act as a guarantor.
A sample of filling out an application for a visa to Switzerland can be downloaded here
Registration of a work visa
To live legally in Switzerland, you need a work visa. To complete it, you will have to submit the following documents:
- a letter from the employer;
- A completed application form;
- international passport;
- original and copy of the work permit;
- 4 photos.
Experts provide information on visa processing. They take into account all the nuances. Sometimes a health certificate or other documents are required.
Selection Criteria for Applicants for a Work Visa
Work permits for residents of the former CIS are subject to higher requirements than for EU citizens. An immigrant (Kazakhstani, Ukrainian, Belarusian, Russian) is hired in the absence of applicants from European countries. Luck can only smile on highly qualified specialists.
Work visa extension
The 2019 legislation does not provide for the extension of visas while in Switzerland. We'll have to come back, apply for a new visa.
Business immigration
A company registered in Switzerland must operate and pay taxes. The entrepreneur receives a residence permit as a manager.
The costs of maintaining the company will be:
- business plan development;
- control over activities;
- services of a lawyer.
Moving to the country is possible upon receipt of income CHF 150,000 from the capital placed in banks. In case of insufficient qualifications, there is a risk of not obtaining a work permit.
Features of internship in the country
University students can do internships in Switzerland, which opens up prospects for getting a high-paying job in the future. The duration of the internship is from 3-18 months. Scholarship - 2,000 francs per month. The candidate may be assigned a probationary period. If the requirements are not met, the practice is interrupted.
Search internships
Consequences for attempting an illegal job placement
Illegal presence on the territory of the country, work without permission is punishable by expulsion from the country and a ban on re-entry, a fine and imprisonment for up to 1 year.
For employers who violate the law, sanctions are allowed in the form of blocking access to tenders, reducing subsidies. The guilty can go to jail for 5 yearsbe fined for 1 million francs.
It is profitable and prestigious to get a job in Switzerland. This is best done by highly qualified specialists. Obstacles to moving to the country: difficulties in paperwork, 4 state languages. But everything is possible for those who are confident in their abilities.
