The Swiss government has decided to increase the quota for visas issued to skilled workers who are citizens of non – EU member countries. The new quota is set to be applied starting with 2017, raising the number of visas from 6,500 to 7,500. This decision was made after various companies operating in Swiss cantons complained about the fact that their quotas have already been used for the year of 2016.
A quarter of the staff employed in Switzerland is made up of foreigners. They are the holders of a work permit and a residence permit. For foreigners who want to invest and operate their own business in Switzerland or managers of foreign companies, especially those firms generating jobs, getting the residence permit and the work permit is not a problem.
If you want to live and work in Switzerland for an extensive period of time you should consider applying for the Swiss citizenship, not only for tax purposes, but also because you have easier access to the facilities offered by the Swiss government through various special programs. However, before you decide to apply for the Swiss citizenship, there are some important things that you should consider.
The Swiss have voted for the law allowing third generation immigrants to receive Swiss citizenship much easier and faster, on the referendum organized on February 12 2017.
The cost of living in Switzerland is among the highest in the world, with the main cities Geneva and Zurich being named in a 2015 study among the most expensive cities in the world. On the other hand, Swiss salaries and the living standards are also among the highest in the world, which is the main reason why you should still consider Switzerland a perfect location for working and living.
