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Everybody wants to immigrate to Switzerland as a software engineer and obtain better-paid employment elsewhere. When salaries are taken into account, the country of Switzerland ranks #1 among software developers. When compared to other countries, it has a lower population. Employees have favorable working and residential circumstances. Even while it tends to hire more individuals for obvious jobs like banking, pharmaceutical, and insurance, it also has a significant need for software engineers.

This article will go through some of the most popular visas, their eligibility conditions, and what you need to apply.

Why Immigrate to Switzerland as a Software Engineer?

There are several reasons why you would choose to live in Switzerland. Breathtaking landscape, outdoor activities ranging from skiing to hiking, and delicious fondue! And for developers, there is a thriving startup sector and a lively working atmosphere with a high demand for more software engineers.

You may have a good wage, career possibilities, and quality of life while still having time on weekends to explore the country and expand your knowledge. However, to work in Switzerland as a non-Swiss national, you need a valid work permit and a work visa.

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Immigrate to Switzerland as a Software Engineer

Do You Need a Visa to Work in Switzerland?

This country is not a member of the EU despite being nearly surrounded by EU members (except Liechtenstein). On the other hand, Switzerland permits freedom of travel as a member of the EFTA or Schengen Area and the European Free Trade Association. This implies that you will need to obtain a residence permit to stay and work in Switzerland despite being an EU citizen. The method, however, differs for EU citizens and third-country nationals (all other countries).

Switzerland limits the number of work permits access to EU citizens and third-country nationals. That implies that even if you meet all of the other requirements, you might be rejected solely for a work permit because too many were issued that year. It is a common problem for those attempting to immigrate to Switzerland as software engineers! It’s a real possibility, so you’ll have to plan carefully and hope for the best. The quotas for 2022 are as follows:

For non-EU/EFTA nationals:

  • 4000 “L” short-term permits
  • 4500 “B” long-term permits 

For workers in the EU/EFTA:

  • 3000 “L” short-term permits 
  • 500 “B” long-term permits 

For British nationals:

  • 1400 “L” short-term permits 
  • 2100 “B” long-term permits

Immigrate to Switzerland as Software Engineers for EU Citizens

If you are an EU citizen, you can immigrate to Switzerland as a software engineer and work and reside, and you will not be required to get a visa. However, you will require a residency permit to stay more than three months. You have 14 days to apply for a residence permit after arriving in Switzerland. You can go to a cantonal migration office and do it. If you have yet to find work in Switzerland after 90 days, the canton can offer you a three-month short-term residence permit that can be extended for up to a year. If you already have a job, this residence permit also serves as your work permit.

Even if you are from an EU country, you should always check to see whether your nation has any unique laws. While Switzerland now makes no exceptions, in the past, it has set extra requirements, quotas, and rules for other EU nations such as Croatia, Bulgaria, and Romania, making it more difficult for residents from those countries to find work in Switzerland.

EU residents who want to reside and have a job in Switzerland can apply for various residency permits. The following are the most important for developers:

  • Type L. It is a short-term residence permit. It is active for 12 months. If your employment contract is for less than a year, the permit is valid for the duration of the contract.
  • Type B. This residency permit is valid for five years, and it is extendable. It is for people with longer-term job contracts and self-employed individuals. You must be capable of demonstrating financial self-sufficiency and proper insurance coverage.
  • Type G. It is a cross-border commuter permit. It is valid for five years if you have a 12-month or longer job contract. If your contract is for less than a year, the permit is valid for the duration of the contract. This permission is for those who live outside of Switzerland but work for a Swiss employer and commute to their workplace in Switzerland. You must visit your residence outside of Switzerland at least once every week.
  • Type C. It is a settlement permit. It is comparable to permanent residency, except that it must be renewed every five years. If you have been hired and have been living in Switzerland for five years, you may be qualified for this settlement permit if you are a national of the following countries. If you are from another EU/EFTA country, you must have resided in Switzerland for a minimum of ten years before applying for this permission.

Ireland

Belgium

Liechtenstein

Austria

Portugal

France

Italy

The UK

Germany

Iceland

Finland

Spain

Denmark

Luxembourg

Netherlands

Norway

Sweden 

Greece

If you lose or leave work, you can stay in Switzerland for another three to six months to hunt for another job after appealing for permission from the cantonal migration officials. After that, only those possessing a settlement permit can file for welfare benefits.

Immigrate to Switzerland as Software Engineers for Non-EU Citizens

For third-country nationals, there are two primary work visas in Switzerland. They are as follows:

  • Permit L. A one-year short-term residency visa allows you to stay and work in Switzerland. The conditions of the employment agreement govern it. In extraordinary circumstances, the L permit may be extended for another year, but only under the same employer.
  • Permit B. A first or temporary residency permit lasting for one year, which is extendable annually. These permits are quota-based and are connected to the same employer, so if you lose or leave your employment, you must leave Switzerland and apply for a different work visa with a new company.
  • Permit C. This permit is available to third-country citizens who have resided in Switzerland for ten years (or five years for US or Canadian citizens) and grants permanent residency. With a C permit, you can change jobs at any time.

The work visa scenario is more difficult if you are not from an EU member state. Simply put, you will require a work permit if you are from the EU. If you are a third-country national, you will require a work permit and a work visa. The work permit allows you to work in Switzerland; the work visa allows you to enter the country and is the paperwork you provide to border officials upon arrival.

How Can Software Engineers Get a Swiss Work Visa and Work Permit?

  1. Find a job offer in Switzerland.
  2. Your employer files for your work permit on your behalf. 
  3. Your employer must apply to the immigration authorities in their Swiss canton, which is then forwarded to the SEM for approval.
  4. Apply for a work visa at a Swiss embassy in your country. You have to have a work permit before you get a work visa. 

The cantonal migration authority maintains communication with embassies. If your work permit application is approved, they will give visa approval for you to your local embassy/consulate.

The following are the essential prerequisites for applying for a work visa:

  • You have a job offer in Switzerland.
  • The position should be for a manager, specialist, or highly skilled worker (many software engineers fall into this category!)
  • You are submitting your application at a time when the yearly work permit limits still need to be filled.
  • No one is suitable and available for the job position in Switzerland or any EU/EFTA nation.
  • Your employment offer includes the same income and working conditions as a Swiss citizen.

The authorities may consider additional factors such as language abilities, capacity to fit into Swiss civilization, criminal background, and ability to provide for yourself and any dependents who join you in Switzerland. Therefore, it is also a good idea to have paperwork that attests to these criteria.

You will need the following paperwork in addition to a special visa application form for the kind of visa you are seeking for:

  • A passport copy or a copy of your valid travel ID.
  • Evidence of your work offer, such as an offer letter, a duplicate of the job contract, and so on.
  • Your resume or CV. It must be translated and notarized into Italian, French, German, or English if necessary)
  • Copies of educational and professional certifications (translated and notarized if necessary)

Typically, the visa application procedure takes 8-10 weeks. It must be done outside of Switzerland. If you obtain a job offer while in Switzerland, you must travel to your country to apply for the visa.

How Much Does a Swiss Visa or Work Permit Cost for Software Engineers?

The price of a work permit varies per canton, but it is normally approximately €95. Sometimes your company will pay for the work permit. A work visa costs €80 for an adult and €40 for a kid accompanying the adult. If you want your visa processed faster, you may have to pay an additional fee.

Is It Difficult to Find a Job as a Software Engineer in Switzerland?

Switzerland is one of the top nations for software engineers to work in. However, finding work in Switzerland is difficult due to high wages and living standards, as well as the fact that it is a tiny nation with a population of just about 8.5 million people. As a result, Switzerland’s IT market is substantially smaller than Germany’s or France’s.

There are a few elements to consider that might be to your advantage or against you:

Work Experience and Technological Advancement

While obtaining work in Switzerland is difficult, particularly as a foreigner, good luck finding a position as a Junior Software Engineer. Most firms are searching for Developers with at least two years of experience. Obtaining work as a Junior is feasible, but you should hunt for internship/trainee opportunities. 

The second component is the technology in which you specialize. For example, there are many employment opportunities for Java, JavaScript, and C# developers, but only a few for Mobile, Ruby, or C++.

Being from Switzerland or the EU 

If you are from one of the EU nations, obtaining a work permit in Switzerland will be rather simple. You can fill out the paperwork when you acquire the job.

The procedure becomes more complicated if you are from a different area, such as the US or India. In such a circumstance, the company must sponsor your visa and demonstrate to the government that a competent candidate cannot be found in Switzerland.

Again, you could obtain this opportunity if you are a fantastic developer. However, most organizations would limit their possible applicants to the EU + Switzerland zone.

Language Skills

The official languages of Switzerland are Italian, French, German, and Romansh.

Speaking the major language of the part of the country you’d be working in is a benefit, and many employers expect it.

How to Find Jobs in Switzerland as an EU Citizen?

Step 1. Apply for Jobs While Staying in Your Country.

It has two major advantages: first, you avoid the enormous costs associated with living in Switzerland, and second, you can concentrate on the crucial interviews.

In this phase, you must locate employment openings. Again, you may use SwissDev Jobs or any other employment portal. Alternatively, you might contact a headhunter for assistance.

If you still need to live in Switzerland, we urge you to apply to multiple job positions because getting invited to an interview is difficult.

Working with headhunters is worthwhile if you are at the junior level (0 to 2 years of experience) because Swiss businesses are hesitant to recruit graduate developers from overseas.

Step 2. Job Interviews.

Typically, the interview process consists of two or three parts. It usually begins with an introductory call or a coding assignment. Next, if you are not in Switzerland, you can participate in a video chat with live coding. The last step will be an in-person interview in which you will visit Switzerland and see the company’s headquarters.

The habit of reimbursing travel and lodging expenses is not typical. However, certain firms may do so. As a result, it’s ideal to attempt to plan a few onsite interviews on consecutive days to avoid having to travel back and forth.

After the final interview, you should receive a yes or no response within a few days, up to two weeks.

Step 3. Moving to Switzerland.

Congratulations on landing a job in Switzerland. That was the difficult part. After signing a job contract, you must prepare to relocate. If the firm does not provide a relocation package or assistance, you must budget around 2,000 to 4,000 CHF.

Immigrate to Switzerland as Software Engineers: Accommodation

You may do it entirely by yourself if you choose. When you arrive, you can begin looking for long-term housing. There are two choices:

  • Rent an apartment if you plan on bringing your family.
  • Renting only a room may be a nice alternative if you arrive without family.

Please be informed that the deposit required when renting an apartment is three times the monthly rent, which equates to three times 2,000 CHF or even more. Therefore, if you are on a restricted budget, you may prefer to wait for your first income.

Can You Bring Your Family to Switzerland?

Spouses or partners, children, grandkids, parents, and grandparents can accompany EU/EFTA nationals with valid work permits. However, you may be required to demonstrate that the family member you intend to bring with you is financially or otherwise dependent on you.

If you are a third-country national, you will require a C permit to bring your spouse or partner and minor children under 18. Your spouse will be allowed to work or to be self-employed.

You do not have the inherent ability to bring family members with you if you are from a third country with a B or L residence permit. However, you can appeal to the cantonal officials for special permission to bring a spouse or minor children. If permission is granted, your spouse can work in Switzerland. This is easier for immigrants with a B residence permit rather than an L resident permit.

What to Do After Immigrating to Switzerland as Software Engineers?

In terms of formalities, you must attend to the following:

  • Go to the local public office. It is of the most importance. You must provide your job contract to the local public office for this purpose (Gemeinde).
  • Open a bank account. You’ll finally have a bank account with one of those well-known Swiss banks. They charge for almost everything, so evaluate the offerings and choose the best ones.
  • Choose health insurance. In Switzerland, health insurance must be paid separately (it is not withdrawn from your paycheck). You may compare the possibilities using the Comparis website. You have three months to select both the firm and the franchise. The franchise is the maximum amount you can pay for yearly medical treatments. The insurance provider will cover 90% of your expenses when you hit this level. Your monthly payment will be reduced the greater the franchise.
  • Acclimatize and have fun. Find local groups that are linked to your interests and passions. There are other common expat groups, such as Zurich Together.

Other key considerations include purchasing the Half Fare card if you want to utilize public transportation. It provides a 50% discount on most public transportation in Switzerland. For the phone, you may choose between prepaid and subscription plans.

How Much is the Salary of Software Engineers in Switzerland?

Software Engineers in Switzerland typically make roughly 105,000 CHF per year, with the majority of Software salaries ranging from around 80,000 CHF to 130,000 CHF annually. So if you make less than 80,000 CHF, it’s time to talk to your supervisor about getting a raise or looking for a new software engineer job in Switzerland.

How Much Does Living in Switzerland Cost for Software Engineers?

Switzerland is an expensive country. The top most expensive cities in the world are all in Switzerland; therefore, prepare for a price shock.

Although the first month or two might be tough, after getting your 1st and 2nd salary, you will quickly realize that living here is not that expensive. So now let’s get to the costs:

  • Apartment costs between 2,000-3,000 CHF. Suppose you share an apartment: 700-1,200 CHF.
  • Insurance costs between 280 and 500 CHF.
  • Food costs between 150 (if you cook) and 1,000 CHF (if you eat out every 2nd day)
  • Entertainment costs between 200-1,500 CHF (for example, a drink at a club costs 20 CHF, and a monthly gym subscription costs 100 CHF).
  • Other costs are about 200-1,000 CHF (phone, clothing, public transportation or a car, etc.)

To summarize, if you choose the “live cool and don’t bother about expenditures” approach, you will spend around 7,000 CHF while still saving money.

If you wish to save money by living in a Wohngemeinschaft and not dining out too often, you can easily live on 1,500-2,000 CHF a month and save the rest of your salary.

FAQs

An average Swiss software engineer earns between 80’000 CHF and 130’000 CHF per year.

A work and residence permit B holder’s spouse is allowed to work in Switzerland.

CHF 200,000 is the highest salary in Switzerland.

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