Switzerland’s world-class universities attract many prospective students looking for high-quality education. Switzerland’s economy is also one of the world’s strongest and most competitive ones. It is internationally renowned in training, research, and innovation, and its industrial and service sectors make it a better place to learn and work.
For any foreign student, after completing your studies in Switzerland, you get a maximum of six months to search for a job. Beyond this, if you want to seek an extension of your stay, you must understand the two categories you fall in. EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals. Let’s look at each category.
How to Extend Your Stay Post Graduation in Switzerland?
You are permitted to work 15 hours per week while studying. Usually, people find an internship or undergo training in a company. The firm sponsors your studies and work visa alongside, subject to conditions.
Once you complete your studies, you get another six months to search for a job. It is highly advisable to search for one for yourself; else, there are no further extensions. Let’s look at the two categories Switzerland looks into for authorising your stay here.
EU/EFTA nationals: They have the upper hand for seeking access to stay. They enjoy free movement. It is due to the mutual agreement between the countries.
Third Countries Nationals: The six months they get to search for a job can not get extended. Usually, in their allowed 15 hrs a week work permit while studying, students choose to work so that their employer keeps sponsoring their studies and the extended stay later on. This is the best way to keep staying in Switzerland.
Let’s now have a closer look at various options of extended stay and their basic requirements in Switzerland.
Types of Stays and Basic Requirements
Higher Studies Advantage
If you are interested in studying further, like masters, PhD etc., you can easily get an extension of your stay for the duration of your course.
L Permit in Switzerland
Nationals of the EU/EFTA, the short-term residents are foreign nationals who come to Switzerland for a short period, usually less than a year, for a specific reason, with or without the possibility of paid employment. This permit is issued if you have an employment contract valid for three to twelve months. The permit’s validity period corresponds to the term of the employment contract. It can be extended up to a period of twelve months. Employment contracts within a calendar year of less than three months are not subject to a permit but get administered by a notification procedure. Job seekers from all EU/EFTA countries are granted work permits without a job.
Nationals of a Third Country (Short-term Residence): This is for a period of a maximum of one year. It is subject to the employment contract duration and can be extended to up to the period of 24 months in exceptional cases if one works for the same employer.
Swiss B Permit in Switzerland
EU/EFTA nationals the Resident Foreign Nationals: You will be granted this residence permit if you have elongated employment or the one last at least 12 months. This permit has a five-year validity period and gets extended automatically for another five years as long as the employment is active. There is a word of caution, and just in case you remain unemployed for more than 12 months, the permit may extend only to one year.
Those EU/EFTA nationals who are self-employed can obtain a B permit valid for five years provided they can validate their financial stability.
Nationals of a Third Country (Initial Residence Permit): This residence permit is only valid for one year. A B permit typically gets renewed from year to year, subject to conflicting grounds. A word of caution here is that these permits are subject to quotas, and their availability is very limited. It also restricts the holder’s ability to live in the canton issued on the permit.
C Permit in Switzerland – The Long Stay
Nationals of EU/EFTA countries – Settled Foreign Nationals: They can obtain a C permit, which is valid indefinitely, after a stay of five years in continuation in the country. But there is no such hard and fast rule as to your permit getting renewed multiple times for five years, or you get a C Permit. It is the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) establishing the earliest date from which competent national authorities may issue settlement permits. Holders of these C permits are free to change where they live (cantons) or where they work (employer)
Nationals of a Third Country – Permanent Residence Permit: For third-country nationals who have lived in the country for ten years in a row are eligible to apply for the C Permit. Exception is for nationals from the United States and Canada for a minimum of five years in a row. The best part here is that any C permit holders are free to change jobs and live in any canton.
Working in Switzerland During and After the Study Program – G Permit
EFTA/EU nationals: Students from the EFTA/EU are permitted to work in Switzerland for fifteen hours per week without a work permit while pursuing their studies. They can work and live anywhere, subject to returning once a week to their place of residence abroad. This permit is valid for five years for those having employment contracts for more than one year. .
It is also imperative to note that Switzerland has a mandatory rule of taking insurance if your stay exceeds more than 90 days. Various health insurance comparison tools are available online; they’ll guide you on how to choose the best health insurance. PrimApp is one of the best online Health insurance comparison tools. PrimApp is available in English, French, and Italian for the ease of its users.
Conclusion
Obtaining Swiss citizenship is more complicated than getting permanent residency in Switzerland. You need to get PR first and then apply for citizenship. The Swiss passport is one of the most powerful globally, with visa-free travel to 171 countries. We hope this article helped you understand all nuances related to your continued stay in Switzerland post your studies.
