question about working in switzerland
 

Hello all.

My wife is currently finishing computer science graduate studies in the
USA in biometrics and she has been offered a job at a small high-tech
computer company in Switzerland. We would like to move to Switzerland
but we have some concerns. The thing is that we're not sure whether she
will get the work permit (B type). The company says that they will do
all the needed paperwork and stuff for her permit and for my visa. Does
anyone know what are the chances of her not getting the work permit and
if she gets it what are the chances that I do not get the needed visa
to join her especially since we're from an eastern European country and
as I have heard the Swiss prefer to give work permits and visas to EU
or US citizens .
Also we have heard that there are some quotas for work permits so do
you know where can I find information about this and about the duration
of the process to get the visas.

Thanks very much,
Dame.

Re: question about working in switzerland
 

<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected] ups.com...
    > Hello all.
    > My wife is currently finishing computer science graduate studies in
    > the
    > USA in biometrics and she has been offered a job at a small
    > high-tech
    > computer company in Switzerland. We would like to move to
    > Switzerland
    > but we have some concerns. The thing is that we're not sure whether
    > she
    > will get the work permit (B type). The company says that they will
    > do
    > all the needed paperwork and stuff for her permit and for my visa.
    > Does
    > anyone know what are the chances of her not getting the work permit
    > and
    > if she gets it what are the chances that I do not get the needed
    > visa
    > to join her especially since we're from an eastern European country
    > and
    > as I have heard the Swiss prefer to give work permits and visas to
    > EU
    > or US citizens .
    > Also we have heard that there are some quotas for work permits so do
    > you know where can I find information about this and about the
    > duration
    > of the process to get the visas.
    > Thanks very much,
    > Dame.
    >

Re: question about working in switzerland
 

On 29 May 2006 13:38:46 -0700, [email protected] wrote:

    >Hello all.
    >My wife is currently finishing computer science graduate studies in the
    >USA in biometrics and she has been offered a job at a small high-tech
    >computer company in Switzerland. We would like to move to Switzerland
    >but we have some concerns. The thing is that we're not sure whether she
    >will get the work permit (B type). The company says that they will do
    >all the needed paperwork and stuff for her permit and for my visa. Does
    >anyone know what are the chances of her not getting the work permit and
    >if she gets it what are the chances that I do not get the needed visa
    >to join her especially since we're from an eastern European country and
    >as I have heard the Swiss prefer to give work permits and visas to EU
    >or US citizens .
    >Also we have heard that there are some quotas for work permits so do
    >you know where can I find information about this and about the duration
    >of the process to get the visas.

If the company really wants to hire your wife, don't worry, they'll
get the permit. Permits, even for non EU citizens, are not so hard to
get for very qualified individuals. Just be careful that it is *the
company* which does all the applications etc. - if they do, you've got
nothing to fear.

Nathalie in Switzerland

Nathalie in Switzerland

Re: question about working in switzerland
 

[email protected] schrieb:

< My wife is currently finishing computer science graduate studies in
the
< USA in biometrics and she has been offered a job at a small high-tech
< computer company in Switzerland. We would like to move to Switzerland
< but we have some concerns. The thing is that we're not sure whether
she
< will get the work permit (B type). The company says that they will do
< all the needed paperwork and stuff for her permit and for my visa.
Does
< anyone know what are the chances of her not getting the work permit
and
< if she gets it what are the chances that I do not get the needed visa
< to join her especially since we're from an eastern European country
and
< as I have heard the Swiss prefer to give work permits and visas to EU
< or US citizens .
< Also we have heard that there are some quotas for work permits so do
< you know where can I find information about this and about the
duration
< of the process to get the visas.

Plenty of information on the net

Main official site is
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/ with
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/index.php?id=306&L=3#1372
addressing your question

Basically:
agreements with EU leads to step-by-step opening of Swiss
labor market to nationals of all EU/EFTA states, for
other nationals working permits only when special skills
are needed (and subject to quotas). Usually working
permits are not issued by federal government but cantons,
chances getting a permit may also depend on what
canton the application is done (and also what company)

Re: question about working in switzerland
 

[email protected] wrote:
    > Hello all.
    > My wife is currently finishing computer science graduate studies in the
    > USA in biometrics and she has been offered a job at a small high-tech
    > computer company in Switzerland. We would like to move to Switzerland
    > but we have some concerns. The thing is that we're not sure whether she
    > will get the work permit (B type). The company says that they will do
    > all the needed paperwork and stuff for her permit and for my visa. Does
    > anyone know what are the chances of her not getting the work permit and
    > if she gets it what are the chances that I do not get the needed visa
    > to join her especially since we're from an eastern European country and
    > as I have heard the Swiss prefer to give work permits and visas to EU
    > or US citizens .

If the company claims they can get a permit that this is probably the
case. Many high tech firms have arrangements with the local immigration
authorities that make this a breeze. Demand for skilled high tech
workers in Switzerland is high. I work myself (as a non Swiss) in a
Swiss communications firm, together with people from 40 different
countries (several from Russia even).
A partner does not automatically get granted a residence permit though.
You'll have to apply for that seperately, and your wife will have to
show that she can support you financially, and that you have suitable
accomodation. This will in your case probably not be a very big problem
though. High tech jobs are well paid.