Working on two jobs with B permitting for non-EU citizens

Visas, Permits, Passports and Naturalization
1
Hi,

I'm currently a post-doc at EPFL. Next year, I plan to join a company in Switzerland. But for the first 3 months of this new job, I want to have a 60/40 or 80/20 split of my work between the company and EPFL. The company plans to apply for my B-permit from the first day I join the company (since I want to spend 60% or 80% of my time there).

Is this something possible for a B-permit holder from a non-EU country?

2

Unlikely to be allowed. Since your employer has to make their case for hiring you over anyone else it’s likely you couldn’t continue at EPFL. I assume the B permit is a student one from EPFL, that wouldn’t carry over to the other job and if the employer is granted a permit you may get an L instead of a B.

3
It generally has to be 80% or more, so a 60/40 split would definitely not work.

If you get an B permit that is not tied to your employer, then I don't see why you wouldn't be able to have a second job at 20%. Check if your future employer would be willing to request that (it's actually a field on the application form for the employer). Otherwise normally you can expect to get a permit that is tied to the employer and position (if it's an L, it's always tied). In that case my guess would be that after you get your permit for the 80% job, EPFL might be able to then rehire you at 20%, declare it to the work and commerce authorities who would then have to evaluate whether they authorise it or not. There would be no guarantee that it works out, and the time it takes to get permits issued probably means you wouldn't have it in time anyway.

Why not just delay taking up the new job by 3 months? Finish what you have left at EPFL and then start straight away full time at the other job?

4
I was in the very same situation 2 years ago in Zurich. I worked 80% at a company and 20% as a postdoc (at the place where I did my PhD).

So what indeed is important is the permit you have. If you want to do it on the permit tied to EPFL, it won’t be possible.

If you get a permit for the new job at the company and it’s an open one, you can do it.

I suggest you clarify it with the migration/labor office anyhow just to be on the safe side.

5
Hi All,

I am in a similar situation, from 1 August onwards I will be working 80% for a new employer and 20% for my current employer, both are tech jobs. I have a Swiss C permit. Can someone advise me for any considerations to keep in mind when doing this?

I am still confused how will the Pillar2 funds work, should my new employer open a new pension fund for me independent of the one I have with my current employer ?

secondly, how will accident insurance work?

Thanks for your support.

6
Myself and my spouse also moved to Canton Vaud on a post-doc permit (B) and after the five years of B permit at UNIL expired we were able to secure another B permit based on a 60% employment contract. We now have C permits.

It should be possible for you to obtain a new B permit based on your 60% employment, but don't be surprised if the people at the contrôle des habitants don't understand this and give you a hard time. If they give you flack, just persevere.

7
all answers to your problems should be within your professor, they are given semigod powers there. Ask them, hope you have a good-hearted one.

8
AFAIK, if your annual income for those 20% job falls below the threshold level of CHF 21,510, you don't need to worry about Pillar-2. And you can safely close your current pension fund and move your pension fund there to the pension fund of your new employer. If that's not the case then I don't know the answer...

9
thanks for your message, unfortunately not, it's more than this CHF 21,510.

10

Do you know if 20% in industry and 80% at EPFL postdoc could be worked on EPFL permit?

11

Hello and welcome.

First thing is to check your EPFL contract, it should say the x% you’re engaged with them.

The guidance for PhD is 15 hours max per week which is already ~35%. No idea about post-docs but I’d assume is similar or even less restricted. If your residence permit says “formation with employment” or something like that in French, I’m 99% sure the rules for PhDs apply.

I don’t see a limit from the hours perspective, the 15 hours is already more than you’re looking for. But, there’s a chance of IP or business competition conflict. Fair or unfair, the only judge for that issue is the professor.

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12

Thanks for your response! I am still waiting for my permit to arrive as I just started on 1 Sept. I am currently at 100% at EPFL. I checked with my professor is happy, even encouraging me to have 25-30 % outside. I have forward it to HR and now waiting for their response as they haven’t dealt with such a situation before.

13

Hi,

Wait a min…100% already? If that’s the case, these regulations apply. Use online translation.

14

Thanks! What my HR suggested was to update my appointment at EPFL to 80%. In this case, it wouldn’t be an extra/overtime appointment right?

15

Ah, I did not understand well. 80% + 20% has no conflict with the max hours per week. And, if the professor/EPFL supports, all good.

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