Service — Immigration & Permits
Permits and quotas, handled.
Swiss work permits split sharply by nationality. EU/EFTA citizens move on free movement; non-EU nationals face annual quotas (around 8,500 permits nationwide, often gone by autumn), a labour-market test and salary thresholds. The right agency has filed cases like yours, in your canton, this year.
Get quotes →8,500
Non-EU permits per year, nationwide
B / L / C
Permit types, each with its own rules
Q3–Q4
When non-EU quotas typically run tight
01 — How it works
Immigration & Permits, step by step.
01 — Eligibility & permit type
Nationality, role and salary decide your route — free movement for EU/EFTA, or a quota case for third-country nationals.
02 — Employer & quota coordination
For non-EU cases the employer usually files; the agency assembles the labour-market and salary justification the canton expects.
03 — Document assembly
Contract, diplomas, CV, passport, photos and cantonal forms — complete and correctly translated the first time.
04 — Cantonal & federal filing
Submission to the cantonal migration office and, for non-EU, approval by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
05 — Arrival & registration
Collect the permit, register at your commune, and set up family reunification where it applies.
Free · quotes within one business day · no obligation
02 — What you get
What’s included.
- ✓Nationality-based eligibility assessment
- ✓Permit-type recommendation (B / L / C / G)
- ✓Application preparation & document check
- ✓Liaison with the cantonal migration office
- ✓Family reunification support
- ✓Address registration on arrival
03 — Typical cost
What it costs.
| Package | Typical price | What it covers |
|---|---|---|
| EU/EFTA registration | from CHF 900 | Guidance and registration support — usually straightforward under free movement. |
| Non-EU permit case | CHF 2,500–5,000 | Quota case preparation, employer coordination and cantonal/SEM filing. |
| Family reunification | add-on | Spouse and children added to the application; priced per case. |
04 — Common questions
Immigration & Permits
Do you help with the permit directly?
ReloFinder matches you with agencies and specialists who handle immigration. For EU/EFTA movers the focus is usually housing; for non-EU nationals, the permit comes first and everything else follows it.
My employer handles the permit — do I still need help?
Often the employer covers only the work permit. Housing, family reunification and settling-in are frequently left to you — that is where a relocation agency earns its fee.
How long does a permit take?
EU/EFTA registration is days to a few weeks. Non-EU quota cases run several weeks to a few months depending on canton and time of year, so start as early as possible.
What is the 90-day rule?
Non-EU nationals generally may not start work before the permit is approved, and short-stay limits apply. An agency times your move so you are not stuck unable to sign a lease or begin your role.
Preferred partners
Vetted agencies strong in immigration & permits — reviewed by real clients.
Zug · 69 reviews
“From the beginning, our experience with Prime Relocation was exceptional. Julie worked tirelessly on our behalf to find exactly th…”
View & get a quote →
Geneva · 30 reviews
“Our experience with Lodge finding a new home in Switzerland was really nice. Virginie support us with everything we needed during …”
View & get a quote →
Geneva · 18 reviews
“Notre société a été amenée à travailler à plusieurs reprises avec Welcome Service. Nous ne pouvons que recommander cette entrepris…”
View & get a quote →
Zurich · 116 reviews
“I can only say the best about Mireille from Auris. She was very patient, ready to quickly answer every question and to provide val…”
View & get a quote →
Zurich · 21 reviews
“A big thank you to Karin for taking the time to guide me through the relocation process and for sharing valuable tips on settling …”
View & get a quote →
Steinhausen · 12 reviews
“Proactive, trustworthy, excellent service. Thanks! Roberto…”
View & get a quote →05 — Read next
Related guides.
06 — Where you’re moving