{{item.videoDuration}}
{{item.title}}
{{item.text}}
{{item.videoDuration}}
{{item.text}}
Lifting administrative obstacles to facilitate immigration for non-EU nationals
25/03/22
The Swiss Federal Council decided on 4 March 2022 to adopt measures to further optimise admission of workers from non-EU countries. The first measures will be implemented by the end of 2022 in areas where the lack of qualified workers is recognised.
The Swiss Federal Council presented measures that should mitigate administrative obstacles, accelerate processes and reinforce Switzerland's innovation capacity. By implementing these measures, the government’s hopes to provide more legal stability for companies based in the country.
The first measure the government decided to apply with an ordinance is related to admission conditions for non-EU nationals. With this new measure, companies will no longer have to prove that the full local potential of resources have been used for certain recognised professions. To ensure local resources have priority, only professions with a recognised lack of qualified workers will be able to benefit from this procedure. Swiss authorities will need to define by the end of 2022 which professions are lacking qualified workers, how prioritising local workers can be simplified and what criteria will apply.
The second measure is related to personal qualifications. At the moment, workers with an academic background are considered as specialists and are, therefore, eligible for a work permit. This measure will be lifted for professions lacking qualified workers.
Finally, switching from an employee status to an independent status will be possible and easier. B-permit holders will have easier access to entrepreneurship, to create start-ups and to promote Swiss innovation overall.
Official report on current immigration system
Following up on the consultation linked to the above initiative from the Swiss Parliament, the Federal Council concluded that the current immigration system shall not be changed (i.e. quota system, conditions of admission, etc). However, it has been agreed that some improvements are necessary to simplify immigration procedures, timing and planning for the Swiss economy. As a result, authorities are discussing various additional measures. The elements include for example the payment of an additional fee to accelerate regular processes as well as the way quotas are allocated centrally or through the 26 cantons.
Summary
Following the review of the current Swiss immigration system, Swiss authorities decided that the existing approach does not need a profound change, but they have agreed that some improvements can be implemented in order to facilitate the admission of non-EU nationals to promote innovation.
The Swiss economy has approved the above listed measures, which are conform to the legal framework, but also considered socially acceptable for policy makers. The competent federal department must now define concretely how these measures will be implemented in practice.
PwC Newsletter
Swiss immigration landscape. Our Swiss Immigration Team is in close contact with migration as well as labour market authorities and is closely monitor the evolution of the Swiss immigration landscape. To receive future updates, make sure to subscribe to our newsletter.
#social#
{{filterContent.facetedTitle}}
{{contentList.loadingText}}
{{contentList.loadingText}}
Contact us
Manager, Private clients – Immigration, PwC Switzerland
Tel: +41 58 792 18 41
Kornel Wick
Managing Director, Private Clients – Executive Advisory, PwC Switzerland
Tel: +41 58 792 42 48