Immigration update: Switzerland | 2020 work permit quotas
Work Permit quotas for 2020
Every year, Switzerland sets quotas for the number of work visas it issues to citizens outside the EU and EFTA.
The Swiss government has set work-permit quotas for EU and non-EU nationals, including U.K. nationals, in case of a no-deal Brexit.
What does it mean?
The 2020 quotas will remain the same as in 2019:
- 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.
Quotas for EU Nationals on assignment
Quotas for EU/EFTA nationals on assignment will be released as usual on a quarterly basis.
Quotas restrictions: Updated information about Romanian, Bulgarian and Croatian nationals
From June 1, 2019, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals now benefit from full freedom of movement of persons and are subject to the same criteria as the EU27/EEA citizens in terms of local employment and relocation to Switzerland.
Among the EU member states, Croatia is still subject to the “safeguard clause,” with a limited number of permits issued for Croatians.
- Implementation time frame: Jan. 1, 2020.
- Visas/permits affected: B and L permits. Permits for 120 days or up to four consecutive months and for locally hired EU/EFTA nationals are exempt from quotas.
- Business impact:Employees should anticipate that the same total number of B and L permits will be available as in 2019.
Next steps
If you would like to discuss more on this topic, please do reach out to our key contacts below:
Frank Jura
Sales and Director Immigration Germany & Switzerland
Frank.Jura@SantaFeRelo.com
Anne Konikoff
Immigration Specialist
Anne.Konikoff@santaferelo.com
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