SWITZERLAND: Quotas for EU/EFTA L Permits Exhausted for First Quarter of 2016

March 7, 2016


The quota for L permits for the first quarter of 2016, for short-term assignees from European Union (EU) / European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries, has been filled.

Who is Affected?

New, incoming EU/EFTA nationals who are assigned to Switzerland but remain on foreign employment contracts will not be issued L permits until 1st April 2016.

Who is Not Affected?

The quota for B permits, and permits not subject to quotas, such as the 120 day permit and the 4 month short term permit, are not affected. Quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals are also not affected.

Cantonal Variations

The cantonal procedures in dealing with the situation vary:

Zurich

The authorities will grant permit approval for one month for the time being. One can then ask for an L permit for the duration after expiration of that month and should be able to join the applications which fall under the next quarter, from 1st April 2016 onwards.

Basel

The authorities will establish a preliminary decision which will allow assignees to start work. The quota will be issued on 1st April 2016.

Aargau

The authorities will establish a preliminary decision which will allow assignees to start work. The quota will be issued on 1st April 2016.

Vaud

The authorities point towards the online registration system if available or the postponement of the start of work.

All other cantons

Still under investigation.

Background

The Swiss government decided to keep the reduced amount of permit quota for the year 2016 (see our alert of 19th November 2015). The quotas are allocated to the cantons on a quarterly basis.

Action Items

  • Allow for possible delays with sending EU/EFTA nationals to Switzerland. Contact your supplier for any new EU/EFTA national assignments to Switzerland, as pending applications will be treated differently depending on the canton.

Should you require advice or information on Swiss immigration, please email us at [email protected].