Non-mandatory internship for non-EU PhD in Switzerland

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hello all,

I am currently a PhD student in ETHZ. As a non-EU, I hold student-B (need to renew every year) at this moment.

Recently I am considering applying for a three-month internship in a company. For my PhD program, internship is NOT mandatory. So I am wondering if I should get another working permit for that? If so, how should I proceed it? Is it also possible for a non-EU PhD?

Since PhD position is paid, I definitely need to inform my professor and take three-month unpaid leave. Despite I am sure that my professor will be fine with that, I am curious if it's valid to just take the internship offer with the student B permit.

Thanks in advance.

2

I think it’s not possible. You’re here as a student and unless the internship is mandatory for your course your permit won’t allow you to work for anyone else. Check with the cantonal migration office on what you are and are not allowed to do work-wise.

3
You may work part-time 40% max, to be precise - 15h a week (doesn’t matter if it is an internship or a job). Above 15h a week is not allowed.