Background

Proceeding Cautiously

Though the Swiss population has one of the highest proportions of foreigners in the world, and their thriving economy is due in large part to the influx of people from other countries, the Swiss are wary of newcomers and are striving to stem the tide of immigration, especially from Africa. The process of immigration is somewhat complex, as there are a number of different residency categories to choose from, and if you are looking to be able to work in Switzerland it will be very difficult to obtain a work permit if you hold citizenship outside the EU/EFTA countries, as companies must prove there is nobody else qualified in either Switzerland or the EU/EFTA to fill the position.

The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) is responsible for all immigration issues in Switzerland.