Work permits for independents

⚡tl;dr an entrepreneur is an independent , even if an employment agreement exists no work permit is required to work up to 8 days a year in switzerland eu/efta nationals have a right to obtain a work permit if they can demonstrate their plans for a valid independent activity in switzerland non eu/efta do not have a right to obtain a permit the requirements notably are that there must be available quotas and that the professional project of the applicant must be not only viable in switzerland but also beneficial to switzerland's economic interests book a free call with us when do i need a work permit? any foreigner wanting to work and create a business in switzerland for more than 8 days per calendar year must be granted a work permit by the authorities (cantons & confederation) what is considered an independent? an independent is a self employed person this means that they are independent in their work and its organization the key criterion is that self employed persons assume the financial risk of their activity entrepreneurs are considered as self employed this is true whether they are acting purely independently or if they are employed by their company in the latter case, they assume the financial risk, and the fact that they have formally an employment agreement is irrelevant for how long are work permits issued? l permits are granted for 3 12 months b permits are granted for one year or more for independents , the duration depends on the professional project presented to the authority work permits for eu/efta nationals eu/efta nationals have access to an easier procedure to be granted swiss work permits indeed, the agreement on the free movement of persons grants them an actual right to obtain a work permit in other words, any eu/efta national who can prove his/her identity and demonstrate having a domicile in switzerland as well as a valid independent activity (i e , by showing the business plan, the budget forecast, etc ) will be granted a work permit work permits for non eu/efta nationals non eu/efta nationals do not have a right to obtain a work permit to obtain a work permit, the following requirements must be fulfilled the relevant canton must have freely available quotas or be able to obtain some from the confederation the permit seeker must be highly qualified this notion notably entails specialists and managers the permit seeker must have suitable accommodation in switzerland, including sufficient rooms for family members who may join her/him the planned business is beneficial to switzerland's economic interests , notably meaning that local residents will be hired during the growth phase the planned business is viable from a legal and financial perspective how do i do this? you must provide the authorities with multiple documents establishing both your competence to start the desired business in switzerland and the financial viability of this business this includes notably a business plan, a budget forecast, your cv, and your diplomas book a free call here to discuss how to optimize your chances of getting a work permit for your employees read more on the lexr blog https //www lexr com/en ch/blog/how to get a swiss work permit 1 2/ https //www lexr com/en ch/blog/how to get a swiss work permit 1 2/https //www lexr com/en ch/blog/how to get a swiss work permit 2 2/ https //www lexr com/en ch/blog/how to get a swiss work permit 2 2/