Participating countries
Switzerland has made Working Holiday visa agreements with the following 13 participating countries:
- Argentina
- Australia
- Canada
- Chile
- Japan
- Monaco
- New Zealand
- Philippines
- Russia
- South Africa
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- USA
With this visa you can
This visa allows you to:
- Live in Switzerland up to 18 months
- Work for an employer for 18 months
- Re-enter Switzerland during the visa period
Conditions
- You are a citizen of one of the participating countries mentioned above.
- You are 18-35 years old (Australia: 20-30, New Zealand and Russia: 18-30).
- You have completed vocational training (apprenticeship, university of applied sciences, university; the agreement with Canada also admits undergraduates to work in Switzerland as part of their bachelor’s degree programme, the application must be accompanied by confirmation of enrolment at a college or a university).
- You work in the profession in which you have been trained.
- Access is possible for all professions, for professions that require diploma recognition, the corresponding permit must be enclosed.
- Your salary is based on the going rate for the region and sector, as for a job starter. Where a collective employment agreement (CEA) exists, the salary must be based on this. Otherwise, the salary must comply with cantonal wage guidelines and the recommendations of professional associations.
- Work permits are granted for a maximum of 18 months (several stays are possible as long as their overall duration does not exceed a total of 18 months).
How to apply
- Receive a trainee permit from a Swiss business
- Collect the required visa document. You can find the checklist here
- Fill out the visa application form
- Submit the visa application in your home country. You can find the addresses here