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SWITZERLAND: Quotas to Remain Unchanged
November 28, 2022
On 23 November 2022, the Federal Council of Switzerland announced that quotas will remain the same for new work permit applications submitted during the 2023 calendar year for non-European Union/European Free Trade Agreement (non-EU/EFTA) nationals (with a stay greater than four consecutive months/120 days per year), service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA, and UK nationals (also with a stay greater than four consecutive months/120 days per year).
What to Expect
Given the persistent economic need for specialists from third countries, and the results of discussions conducted with the cantons and social partners, the federal authorities decided to maintain the same number of B long-term permits and L short-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals.
The number of B long-term and L short-term for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA and UK nationals also remain the same.
The Swiss government announced the following permit quotas for 2023:
- 4,000 “L” short-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
- 4,500 “B” long-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
- 3,000 “L” short-term permits for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA;
- 500 “B” long-term permits for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA;
- 1,400 “L” short-term permits for British nationals;
- 2,100 “B” long-term permits for British nationals.
The quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals are released on a calendar-year basis while the quotas for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA and UK nationals are released on a quarterly basis.
Although the allocated quotas should be enough to cover all the needs, the quotas for service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA might still be exhausted before the end of each quarter.
Our Advice
Employers are advised as follows:
- Do not wait until the end of the year to submit important applications
- Evaluate the possibility of reducing, when possible, short-term assignments to four months, or 120 days per twelve-month period, which are not subject to quota availability
- Notify the authorities when a work permit has been granted but the person will not use the permit due to a change in plans, or if they leave Switzerland prematurely, as it may be possible for the authorities to re-use the granted unit for a new case
- Promote, when possible, Swiss local employment contracts to EU/EFTA nationals coming to work in Switzerland (instead of secondment status)
- Use the trainees exchange program in place between Switzerland and various countries (with separate quotas in place for the trainee exchange program)
Immigration Insights
Contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
