I'd like to share my story, maybe is helpful for someone.
I'm a non-EU guy (Mexican!), who applied a long time ago for a position in the IT field in a company, after passing the interviews, I finally got the offer for the job.
The company started doing the paperwork at the immigration office, but my visa request was rejected in the Canton. The reason they gave is that, Swiss and EU-citizens have the priority and the company should prove it has been looking for a while and the applicant must be skilled in the field.
So this really saddened me, the company told me they would retry once again, with more elements to justify the reason to hire a Non-EU national.
In the meantime, whilst looking for some information in the procedure, I found this link:
Which detailed the process very well, and waited patiently....finally the company gave me some good news, the Canton had approved my application this time and was then forwarded to the FOM (Federal Office for Migration).
I'm actually waiting for the approval of the FOM, things seem to be going fine fortunately so far, so I'm crossing fingers the rest will go fine as well!
They will notify the Swiss Embassy nearest to you, the one you chose in the application form, with the order to create this entry permit which will be stamped in your passport, its actually a sticker.
I am in a similar situation. I am already here in Geneva looking for work. I am on passport till Sept 1 when the tourist visa I was granted takes effect for 6 month stay. I was told that I could not work on a tourist visa but that if a company was interested in me they would apply for the work visa.
I got a call yesterday from a recruiting company that was interested to hire me but as soon as I said I had no work visa they said there was nothing they could do, that I was responsible to get my own work visa but I was also told that you must have contract for employment in order to even apply for the visa.
I'm totally confused here and don't know where to start in order to be able to work in Geneva. I am living with my Swiss boyfriend and we will marry early 2010.
if you are non-EU'er the new employer has to apply to your local commune for a work permit. this is extra work for them and more hassle. same for the recruitment agency, if they employ you directly or if they have undertaken to find someone for the employer then either of them has to apply for the work permit.
[if your were EU'er you just receive the new contract, start work and you present yourself with contract + passport to the comunne and you receive the permit.]
in the application process they have to prove that they have advertised and the position well and that they could not find a suitable CH/EU candidate. in the current employment climate and depending on the position this may be nearly impossible.
get married sooner, things will be much easier. as a dependent of a CH person you will be given a B permit and allowed to work.
I was wondering for anyone from overseas, if they were to be relocated to Switzerland to work, what are the health requirements that needs to be fulfilled ?
Most of all have experienced with the issue with cantonal government as I read. To me, FOM has make the issue even though cantonal goverment has been approved.
Currently, I am waiting for few more weeks and hope to get an approval from FOM, soon. It would be another 4-5weeks to review a document on FOM level as my employer said.
Does anyone has similar experience like me? how long do you wait for more?