Work permit as Self-Employed

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Thanks for being a part of this forum.

I've seen some amazing answers in here, so I'll try as well.

I recently moved to Zurich, and I'm about to register and apply for a B Permit.

However, I'm in doubt about the correct way to do this.

I am an EU Citizen.

I'm a freelance consultant, and I'm currently working through my Danish company.

My plan is to create a sole proprietorship in Zurich and move my client(s) with me here.

But I receive conflicting information about applying for the B Permit.

It says that I need a work contract of 12 months or more.

I don't have that, given that I'm Self-Employed.

In another place, it says that in order to get a B permit as a Self-Employed, I'll need to prove that I've registered my company properly, with a Swiss business address, etc.

I specifically find this checklist: Proof that the company has been correctly registered (in the commercial register, see section on investing in Switzerland, how to start a business) Proof of a professional domicile in Switzerland (a rental contract for your business premises) Proof of contributions to the Old-Age and Survivors’ Insurance Fund (OASI) or the Swiss Accident Insurance Fund (SUVA) Proof of a regular income showing that there is no risk of needing welfare assistance Bookkeeping data (interim balance, etc.) Business plan

I'm currently in 10 days mandatory quarantine, and I'll go to the registration office on next Wednesday to get there within 14 days.

It seems overwhelming to have all this covered until then.

Can one obtain a B permit without having the full setup ready yet?

How to go about here?

Does anyone here happen to have done this recently?

2
This Swiss Federal government webpage "Becoming self-employed in Switzerland: Guidelines" might assist you (English):

https://www.kmu.admin.ch/kmu/en/home...uidelines.html

Several comments:

1. The cantonal compensation office (SVA Zürich) determines whether you are self-employed.

2. It is possible to obtain a enterprise number (UID) without registering in the commercial register.

3. See in particular the discussion question "7. How do you become self-employed as a foreign national?" at the above link.

Good luck to you!

3
Thank you.

I already read through this list a couple of times.

What is still not clear to me is what comes first.

Do I need SVA's recognition of my self-employed status in order to apply for permit B residency?

Or do I apply for permit B residency with the plan of getting recognized as self-employed?

Because as I read it, you will need to have your business fully up and running (including invoices, activity, etc) for the SVA to recognize it?

In before that can ever happen, some kind of residence permit must have been approved first?

4
Hi Simon,

I am really glad you've asked these Qs. Myself and my boyfriend are in the exact same situation as you and have the same queries. I have been offered a job in St Gallen with a start date in November. My boyfriend is going to work for his current employer in London as freelance in Switzerland.

As he has never worked freelance before we are currently gathering all the info/documentation needed that you mentioned.

How are you getting on?

5
SimonLH,

I'm in a similar situation. Were you able to figure this out eventually? What comes first?

Thanks,

6
Hello,

Has anyone had any clearer info on what steps to take and in what order?

I am in the same boat.

Thanks

7
10 years ago it was possible to everything in parallel as a EU Citizen. I chose to find a lawyer to open a GmbH for me - and then used those same documents as proof to the permit authorities that I was self employed and had a legitimate business/income. The lawyer helps show you're serious to the authorities. It also helped I could show newspaper clippings from my start-up activities to the Canton as proof that I was genuine. AFAIK the system hasn't changed that much.