🧠 Who is this guide for?

This guide is for you if:

• You’re a non-EU citizen who studied/studies at a Swiss university (e.g., ETH, EPFL)

• You’re graduating soon or recently graduated

• You found a job in Switzerland or want to stay and work

• You want to understand what your future employer needs to do and how to make their life easier

🎓 Can I work during my studies?

Yes, with conditions:

• You may work up to 15 hours per week during the semester

• You may work full-time during university breaks

• You must have been enrolled at a Swiss university for at least 6 months before starting work

• Your employer must apply for a student work authorization

• Your university must confirm your job won’t interfere with your studies

💡This is perfect for internships, part-time jobs, or assistantships.

🎓 What happens after graduation? (Simplified Work Permit Procedure)

If you:

• Graduated from a Swiss university within the last 6 months

• Found a job related to your degree, and

• Work in a field of high economic interest to Switzerland (tech, AI, finance, health, energy, etc.)

You may qualify for the simplified procedure (Art. 30a VZAE):

• Your employer does not need to prove they couldn't find a Swiss or EU candidate

• The application is still submitted by your employer to the Cantonal Labor Office

• You receive a B or L permit, depending on contract type

⏳ How long does the process take?

• 4–8 weeks once all documents are submitted

• Start 2–3 months before your current permit expires

• Expect to spend about 15 hours preparing documents and coordinating with your employer

📋 3-Step Process to Apply (Post-Graduation)

✅ Step 1: Gather your documents

• Graduation certificate or diploma

• Employment contract (draft or signed)

• CV, job description, and passport copy

• Translations or apostilles if required

✅ Step 2: Submit your application

• A Justification Letter is included to explain why your job is relevant to Switzerland and why you fall under the simplified procedure (we help with this)

• Your employer submits to the canton’s Labor Office

• Your employer might need to communicate with authorities in case of mistakes/clarifications

✅ Step 3: Get approved & start working

• You’ll receive a B or L work permit

• You can begin work after official approval (unless you’re still on a valid student or intern permit)

💸 How much does it cost?

• 400 CHF – Government application fee

• 200 CHF - Government rejection fee (welcome to Switzerland)

• Permitree pricing (if you don’t want to risk): 600 CHF upfront + 1200 CHF only if approved

You only pay the full amount if your permit is approved. No success = no success fee.

🤝 Who are we?

We’re Permitree, a Swiss-based AI platform working with law firms and companies to simplify immigration paperwork. We:

• Generate legal documents like Justification Letters

• Guide employers through the application process

• Speed up approvals and reduce friction

While our main focus is on supporting employers and law firms, we created this guide to help students understand their rights and options without having to spend hours searching or overpaying other providers for the basics.

🎯 Found this helpful?

• Share it with a friend who’s applying

• Add it to your LinkedIn or CV: “Eligible under Switzerland’s simplified work permit rule”

• Forward it to your future employer — it makes their life easier

Let’s make Swiss hiring simpler for everyone 💙

❓ Q&A – Student Questions We’ve Received

(We’ll update this regularly. You can submit your question here)