My Swiss passport expired 15 years ago, so I have no official documentation proving that I am Swiss. However, I am registered with the Swiss Consulate in NY.
How much of an advantage will I gain because of my Swiss citizenship?
What documentation do I need in order to work in Switzerland? I am a 40 American with Swiss citizenship(conferred through my mother when I was a minor) and have lived in the US my entire life. I have always had a dream of living in Switzerland and would finally like to make this dream a reality.
Having a swiss passport will entitle you to working in Switzerland, no other documents required. You will also be able to get a swiss ID card.
Even if you do not intend to live in Switzerland, the swiss passport is gold to you because it allows you to travel where your US passport may have difficulties.
You will also have the ability to vote etc.
Having Swiss citizenship will also allow you to work in any EU country without a working visa too. Once you get the passport you will also enjoy the benefit of travelling around Europe without filling in landing cards and being asked 20 odd questions.
Just go to the consulate with your old passport. If you need anything else, they will tell you, but it should be enough.
Tom
However, without any local language knowledge you will find it much more difficult to find a job, unless you are specialized in something in demand (IT, Pharma, Banking).
Language classes: Get to it!
I actually can speak Swiss german. I spent 4 weeks in 'jugend lager' when I was 9, where I learned Swiss German out of survival. Between the ages of 2-14, I spent my entire summers in Switzerland.
Although my conversational swiss german is pretty strong, my written skills are weak. Relative to my swiss german, my high german is also quite weak. How will my inability to write in german(high or swiss) affect my prospects? Does speaking german also imply reading/writing german?
It'll really depend on the type of work you're going to be taking up. A lot of the international corporates speak English and anything written down is in English so you'd be okay there.
As Digg said if you work for an international company it won't matter that you can't write in German. Of course, it probably won't matter if you can speak it either. However, that puts limits on what jobs are available to you obviously. You'll probably have an advantage in the multi-national co. But for you to open your chances to rest of the Swiss job market, small/med Swiss companies you'll need to read & write in German, unless you are a trades person where writing will be limited.
What kind of a job are you looking for?
Swiss german is not a formal written language, so you can get away without it. Job prospects should be OK if you speak swiss german and work in a sought after area (IT, Finance, Pharma, etc)
Umm difficulties??!? enlighten us please?
Iran and North Korea spring to mind. Sure, not many visit these lands, but some do, and there are probably other lands in the middle east. Not just going through customs checks, but sometimes it is safer (or peace of mind) to travel on a non US passport.
The swiss passport is well liked everywhere, even off the beaten track.
Language aside, is preference given to Swiss citizens over foreign permit workers, when it comes to employment opportunities?
I'm looking for something in the banking/finance sector. I have 4 years experience in the area of Financial Control; budgeting, expense reporting, ad hoc reporting etc and have strong Excel and Access skills.
Swiss citzens are given preference over non EU applicants by law.
If you have good experience behind you in finance then you will be fine.
Quick check:
1. Ctizenship? Check
2. sought after industry? Check
3. Speaks local language? Check.
Time to return to the homeland and earn the dollars you deserve, and enjoy a new lifestyle change.
Oh and you might find getting accomodation easier also. Just one tip before bed, have a stash of cash saved whilst you do the migration, 20 K minimum to ensure you get on your feet without too much hardship. It can take 3 - 6 months to find work here not becuase you dont have the required skills, often things just go slow here.
But I believe Swiss and EU are equal by law. EU citizens don't require visas for Switzerland in the same way other foreigners do.
A good chunk of South America imposes entry visa & tax requirements on US citizen but not on Swiss/most others.
Yes. EU & Swiss are equal.
This is correct, however employers probably have preferences in some cases that cannot be controlled by law, so again being Swiss is definitely an advantage.
Is this true?
I think so, Swiss people can live and work in the Uk without restriction due to EU agreements with Switzerland, so probably applies to other countries.
Anybody in the real know about this (meaning I am not disagreeing with you, but need to know for certain)?