I've recently relocated from the US to Basel (living in Basel Stadt)and am on a B-permit. My wife is interested in becoming an independent consultant, likely for companies based on the US. Does anybody have experience with that? We've read about payroll management companies that seem to be able to facilitate that service, but don't know much of the details. Would be grateful for any up to date information and recommendations.
thanks
That includes working for overseas companies.
Assuming OP is here on a work permit, than it is a simple question. The answer is yes, and yes.
Also, if she wants to work for a Swiss company there is no need for any one to “sponser her permit”.
It is all in the SEM Weisungen:
https://www.sem.admin.ch/dam/sem/de/…aug-kap4-d.pdf
Don’t complicate things folks. As aSwissInTheUS said as the OP has a B permit their partner can work without the need for any authorisation from the Swiss authorities. The only restriction is that if the OP loses their Swiss permit then the spouse would also lose theirs and couldn’t continue to work.
" 4.4.1 For-profit activity of family members of a foreigner (Articles 26 and 27OASA)
Art. 26 and 27 OASA provide that the priority (Article 21 LEtr) given to foreign jobseekers already in Switzerland and authorized to work does not apply to the first activity of persons entering Switzerland under the grouping. Family Law (Articles 44 and 45 LEtr). This means that, in particular, holders of a residence permit can not claim priority in respect of persons who have entered Switzerland under the heading of family reunification.
Family members of foreigners who have entered Switzerland under family reunification are not subject to the maximum numbers within the meaning of Art. 19 and 20 OASA.
Only persons entitled to family reunification can invoke the constitutional right to engage in gainful employment (ATF 123 I 212 et seq.). As a result, family members of a Swiss citizen or an established foreigner may, under 46 LEtr and 27 OASA, engage in a lucrative activity without authorization.
On the other hand, family members of a residence permit holder do not enjoy a right to engage in gainful activity. However, given the general objectives of the LEtr (better integration of the foreign population), the legislator decided not to subject the lucrative activity to authorization.
Family members of a holder of a short-term residence permit (Article 26 OASA) do not enjoy the right to exercise a lucrative activity. The exercise of a lucrative activity is subject to authorization. Upon admission, a request from the employer respecting the remuneration and working conditions in use in the locality and branch must have been submitted. In addition, members of the family of a holder of a short-stay permit (Article 26 OASA) must have professional qualifications (personal qualifications, Article 23 LEtr).
The possibility of engaging in a gainful activity for family members is related, according to art. 26 and 27 OASA, for the duration of the authorization of the person who has benefited from family reunification. If the spouse’s residence permit is not renewed, his family members can not claim a right to continue their gainful activity (Article 6 (2) OASA)."