SWITZERLAND: Work Permit Quotas Announced for 2022

December 1, 2021


On 24 November 2021, the Federal Council of Switzerland announced that quotas will remain the same for new work permit applications submitted during the 2022 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) and service providers/seconded workers based in the EU/EFTA (also with a stay greater than four consecutive months/120 days per year).

No Changes to 2022 Work Permit Quotas

Taking into account the persistent economic need for specialists from third countries, and the results of discussions conducted with the cantons and social partners, the federal authorities have 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 remains the same.

The Swiss government announced the following quotas for 2022:

  • 4000 “L” short-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
  • 4500 “B” long-term permits for non-EU/EFTA nationals;
  • 3000 “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;
  • 1400 “L” short-term permits for British nationals;
  • 2100 “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.

Please note that due to the pandemic this year, not all quotas available in 2021 have been used so the remaining 2021 quotas could be used next year. 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.

Newland Chase Insights

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 (separate quotas in place for the trainee exchange program); and
  • Contact a Newland Chase immigration specialist for case-specific advice.

As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.

This immigration update is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for legal or scenario-specific advice. Furthermore, it is important to note that immigration announcements are subject to sudden and unexpected changes. Readers are encouraged to reach out to Newland Case for any case- or company-specific assessments.