Hiring a Non-EU Graduate in Switzerland: What Employers Need to Know

✅ Why this guide matters

You’ve found a great candidate — smart, qualified, and a recent graduate from ETH, EPFL, or another Swiss university. They’re non-EU, so naturally, you expect friction.

The good news: Switzerland offers a simplified work permit procedure for non-EU graduates.

Let’s break down what really happens and how to avoid losing weeks (or permits) over small mistakes.

🧩 What is the simplified procedure? (Art. 30a VZAE)

If you hire a non-EU graduate from a Swiss university who:

• Graduated within the last 6 months

• Was offered a role related to their field

• Is working in an area of economic interest to Switzerland (e.g. AI, engineering, research, finance, etc.)

...then you can apply for a work permit without proving that no Swiss/EU candidate was available (i.e. no "market test").

🗂️ The Full Process for Employers

Step 1: Collect key information

• Company UID number, business address, and industry

• Candidate’s diploma, CV, and passport

• Signed or draft employment contract

• Job description that clearly connects to their studies

Step 2: Write the Justification Letter

This is the most important document in your application. It explains:

• Why the role requires this specific candidate

• How the job aligns with their Swiss degree.

• Why this position supports Swiss innovation/economic interest

⏳ Even experienced immigration lawyers spend 3+ hours on this letter alone, because it must speak the language of the Labour Office and anticipate their criteria.

Step 3: Prepare supporting company documents

Depending on the size and age of your company, the canton may ask for:

• Proof of physical office space (especially for remote-first companies)

• Organizational chart

• Business plan and financial projections

• Overview of Swiss-based employees and management structure

Step 4: Submit the application

• Application goes to the cantonal Labour Office (e.g., Zürich via Zürikonto)

• If everything is accepted, it’s reviewed by SEM (federal level)

• Permit is either approved or denied, with some cases escalated for additional checks

Step 5: Notification + start

• Once approved, your employee can start working and will receive either:

⏳ The entire process typically takes 4–8 weeks, but delays are common if the application is incomplete or the documents are unclear.

📋 What You Need to Submit

From your side:

• Company details and contact person

• Draft or final employment contract

• Justification Letter (we can generate this for you)

• Optional: org chart, office lease, business plan (if requested)

From the candidate:

• Swiss diploma or graduation confirmation

• CV and passport copy

• Any permits, previous stays, or ZEMIS ID (if applicable)

🤝 How Permitree Can Help

We work with law firms and companies to simplify this exact process. Our platform combines AI agents with immigration experts to handle your immigration case end-to-end:

• AI drafts Justification Letters within seconds, and lawyers approve them within minutes

• The platform collects, verifies, and double-checks all the documents to avoid rejections

• We communicate with the cantons on your behalf (with a Power of Attorney)

💰 Pricing:

• CHF 600 upfront (includes documentation + submission)

• CHF 1200 only if the permit is approved

🕒 Timeline Overview

We recommend submitting the application at least 2 months before the candidate’s start date.

📩 Have questions? Email us at hanna@permitree.com

Let’s make Swiss hiring smarter, faster, and future-friendly.