Switzerland Visa Guide

Visa Issuance Time*: 

8-12 weeks

Visa Feasibility Check

• Multiplier will conduct a feasibility check to evaluate if the employee is eligible to apply for a visa in Switzerland
• In order to conduct the check, a basic set of documents are requested from the employee:

1. 1. Passport (front and back)
   2. Current location of employee 
   3. Existing Swiss Visa
   4. Job Title/Designation/Salary 
   5. Education degree

• Once the desired information is shared, our team will confirm the visa feasibility for the respective employee within 2 working days.

Types of Employment B Permits

• Standard Employment B Permit: For individuals with a full-time job offer.
• Intra-Company Transfer Permit: For employees transferred to a Swiss branch of their company.
• Seasonal Work Permit: For temporary workers in specific industries (valid for up to 9 months).

Eligibility Requirements

• To qualify for an Employment B Permit, applicants generally need to meet the following criteria:
  • Job Offer: A valid employment contract from a Swiss employer.
  • Qualifications: Relevant qualifications and work experience that match the job requirements.
  • Labor Market Test: Employers must demonstrate that the position could not be filled by a Swiss or EU/EFTA citizen.
  • Language Skills: Depending on the job and canton, proficiency in one of the national languages (German, French, Italian) may be required.
  • Health Insurance: Proof of valid health insurance coverage is mandatory.

Stages and Timelines

Detailed Process Overview

Step 1 – Visa Initiation by the client

Initiate a visa request during onboarding. The process will commence after basic details are confirmed. 

Step 2 – Document Submission

The employee will receive an email from us. They must sign up and upload eligibility documents. 

Step 3 – Kick off Meeting

A Visa Specialist will guide the employee through the visa process, timelines, information required and align on expected relocation date.

Step 4 – Contract Creation

The Contract is created by the Visa team with expected start date and is shared with the company for review.

Step 5 – Employee Signature

Once the letter is reviewed and the visa fee invoice is paid, the offer letter will further be shared with the employee for signature.

Step 6 – Visa & Work Permit

Once the employee signs the contract, Multiplier files the visa & work permit application.

Step 7 – Onboarding Details

Once the visa is issued, the employee will be requested to upload additional details such as bank details,  and work permit details to continue the onboarding process.

Step 8 – Employee Activation

Next, the details are verified and onboarding will be complete and the employee will be activated on Multiplier. 

Important Considerations:

• Processing time will vary depending on the designation of the Employee
• Conditions of the B Permit
  • Duration: Usually valid for five years but can be shorter depending on the employment contract duration.
  • Work Authorization: B permit holders can work in the position specified in the application; changes in employment may require a new application.
  • Family Reunification: Permit holders can apply for family members to join them in Switzerland.

Rights and Responsibilities

Rights

• Employment: Work legally in Switzerland, with the right to change jobs (subject to regulations).
• Social Benefits: Access to healthcare, social security, and other public services.
• Education: Family members have access to the Swiss education system.

Responsibilities

• Compliance: Must comply with Swiss laws and regulations.
• Taxation: Subject to Swiss tax laws, which may include taxation on worldwide income.
• Language Integration: Participate in language courses if required by the canton.

Visa Process for the Employee

• Documents collection & review: Eligibility documents are collected from the employee 
• Kick-off Meeting: Kick off meeting between is held with the employee 
• Contract:
  : Contract is shared with the employee once the contract is approved by the company and the visa fee is paid.
• Work Permit Application: The employer submits the work permit application to the relevant authorities, along with the required documents.

• Issuance of Work Permit: Once approved, the work permit will be issued, allowing the foreign national to work legally in Kazakhstan.

• Visa Application:After receiving the work permit, the individual can apply for a visa at a Kazakh consulate or embassy in their home country.

• Arrival in Switzerland:Upon arrival, the individual may need to register with local authorities within a certain timeframe.

Visa Application Process Updates 

Both you and the employee will receive regular notifications from our visa team regarding the progress and latest updates in the visa application process.

Kick – Off Meeting

The objective of this meeting is to offer clarity on the various milestones encompassing the entire visa process, along with associated timelines and the documents/information required. It’s important to note that milestones and timelines might differ between countries due to variations in embassy requirements and provided guidelines.

Bi-Weekly Email Updates

The objective is to provide clarity and transparency regarding the status of visa processing.

An email will be sent on a bi-weekly basis to the employee and employer containing the current status and outlining the next steps.

Monthly Updates

Meeting will be scheduled by the Visa Specialist to inform the employee of the current status and upcoming steps.