I've visited Switzerland quite a few times as a tourist and have a great group of friends that I would love to be able to visit/live with here as I please. I work remotely for a US based company as a sub-contractor. The only ways I've seen to get a visa longer than coming as a tourist (90 days twice/year no visa required) is to study here, be in a significant relationship, or possibly start a business. The first two are a no go, but I would love to open a branch of my US business here and possibly hire Swiss friends.
Does anyone have any advice/experience in this? I really would like to find the most feasible option for having a Swiss residence card. If required I could hire or take on a Swiss friend as a business partner. Can a foreigner just start a business in Switzerland just because? or as an independant? What would my tax obligations be if I'm spending part of the year in Europe and part of the year in the US?
Thanks so much for your help in advance!!!! I find this forum very helpful!
Owning a business here doesn’t give you, a non-EU national, residency rights. Sure you could start a business, but a GmbH or higher level incorporation will need a Swiss resident as a director and the company would have to prove they can’t find a Swiss/EU national to do any job you might want them to hire you for.
Back in 2006 the daughter of the President of Kazakhstan obtained a non-EU L permit to manage a company she set up in Ticino, promising employment and growth. This article describes how she did it: