Employment

You are coming to ETH Zurich as a highly-qualified and specialised expert and are taking a post in the scientific, technical or IT fields.

Members of non-EU/EFTA countries require a permit to enter the country, reside and work here, approved by the Swiss Labour Market Authority (visa authorisation for people requiring visas or confirmation of a residence permit for those not requiring visas, see also Visas for non-EU/EFTA nationals).

Conditions

You are a highly qualified scientific specialist or a qualified expert in technology or IT
You already have an offer of a position as a highly qualified specialist or expert of at least 70 percent workload.

Work and residence permit

The permits are for specific purposes and the numbers are limited (quotas). The period of validity of the permit is based on that of the employment contract. A short-term residence permit (Permit L) is issued for one year, subject to a decision by the authorities, and it can be extended to a maximum total length of 24 months. When the short-term permit expires, an annual residence permit for long-term employment may be applied for. Depending on the decision by the authorities, its period of validity is limited to one year and it is normally renewed annually.

Still living abroad	Already living in Switzerland
The application for the work and residence permit is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich). The visa authorisation or promise of a residence permit is sent to the future employee in writing. He or she may not enter Switzerland until they have received confirmation from the authorities.	The request for the work permit or for a change of job is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich). Permission to take up the post is sent to the future employee in writing. He or she may not commence work until after receiving confirmation from the authorities.

Still living abroad

Already living in Switzerland

The application for the work and residence permit is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich).

The visa authorisation or promise of a residence permit is sent to the future employee in writing.

He or she may not enter Switzerland until they have received confirmation from the authorities.

The request for the work permit or for a change of job is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich).

Permission to take up the post is sent to the future employee in writing.

He or she may not commence work until after receiving confirmation from the authorities.

Processing period

Please note: the Office for Economy and Labour requires 8 - 10 weeks to process a request.

Documents

The institute or professor’s office will contact you with a request to submit the following documents:

Still living abroad	Already living in Switzerland
Official request for immigration CV List of publications Copy of a recognised Master degree certificate Copy of a recognised doctoral degree certificate Copy of your passport	Official request to take up a post (work) CV List of publications Copy of a recognised Master degree certificate Copy of a recognised doctoral degree certificate Copy of residence permit

Family members

Immediate members of your family can enter Switzerland with you. However, they have to meet certain conditions which will be checked by the immigration authority. See also Accompanying family members.

Still living abroad	Already living in Switzerland
If immediate members of your family accompany you, they have to be included in your visa application. You should submit the following documents: Spouse: copy of marriage certificate and copy of spouse's passport Children: copy of birth certificate and copy of child's passport Any other documents specified by the immigration authorities Please note: Accompanying family members must be listed on the immigration application form.	Your family may join you later, but their stay must be authorised be the immigration authorities. Family members must apply in person to the external page Swiss diplomatic mission abroad for permission to join their family allready living in Switzerland. At the same time the employee has to apply directly at the Migration Office in Zurich submitting the following documents: Spouse: copy of marriage certificate and copy of spouse's passport Children: copy of birth certificate and copy of child's passport Copy of employment contract Copy of rental contract Any other documents specified by the immigration authorities

Still living abroad

Already living in Switzerland

If immediate members of your family accompany you, they have to be included in your visa application. You should submit the following documents:

Spouse: copy of marriage certificate and copy of spouse's passport
Children: copy of birth certificate and copy of child's passport
Any other documents specified by the immigration authorities

Please note: Accompanying family members must be listed on the immigration application form.

Your family may join you later, but their stay must be authorised be the immigration authorities.

Family members must apply in person to the external page Swiss diplomatic mission abroad for permission to join their family allready living in Switzerland.

At the same time the employee has to apply directly at the Migration Office in Zurich submitting the following documents:

Spouse: copy of marriage certificate and copy of spouse's passport
Children: copy of birth certificate and copy of child's passport
Copy of employment contract
Copy of rental contract
Any other documents specified by the immigration authorities

Employment for a spouse

In principle a spouse is permitted to take up employment. This requires a valid residence permit with authorisation to work.

Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact the Vice-Presidency for Personnel Development and Leadership, which will clarify your particular situation in consultation with the Migration Office.