The quota for L permits for the first quarter of 2016, for short-term assignees from European Union (EU) / European Free Trade Agreement (EFTA) countries, has been filled.
Who is Affected?
New, incoming EU/EFTA nationals who are assigned to Switzerland but remain on foreign employment contracts will not be issued L permits until April 1, 2016.
Who is Not Affected?
The quota for B permits, and permits not subject to quotas, such as the 120 day permit and the 4 month short term permit, are not affected. Quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals are also not affected.
Cantonal Variations
The cantonal procedures in dealing with the situation vary:
- Zurich: The authorities will grant permit approval for one month for the time being. One can then ask for an L permit for the duration after expiration of that month and should be able to join the applications which fall under the next quarter, from April 1, 2016 onwards.
- Basel: The authorities will establish a preliminary decision which will allow assignees to start work. The quota will be issued on April 1, 2016.
- Aargau: The authorities will establish a preliminary decision which will allow assignees to start work. The quota will be issued on April 1, 2016.
- Vaud: The authorities point towards the online registration system if available or the postponement of the start of work.
- All other cantons: Still under investigation.
Background
The Swiss government decided to keep the reduced amount of permit quota for the year 2016. The quotas are allocated to the cantons on a quarterly basis.
Please note that this is general information only and not intended as advice on a specific matter. Please feel free to contact Fakhoury Global Immigration directly with questions exclusive to your situation. This news alert may have been prepared using information from Peregrine Immigration Management, which is licensed to Fakhoury Global Immigration.