Handbook for Investors. Business location in Switzerland.

Social insurance for foreign nationals
www.bsv.admin.ch
Link: Topics/Overview/Advice/FAQ
Languages: German, English, French, Italian, Portuguese,
Russian, Chinese, Japanese
6.4.4 Trainees/interns
Switzerland has negotiated agreements with numerous countries
on the exchange of trainees/interns. These trainee agreements
make it easier to obtain residence and work permits of limited duration.
Trainees from countries which have no special agreement
with Switzerland must follow the normal application procedure for
work and residence permits.
Trainees/interns are defined as people between the ages of
18 and 30 who have completed their vocational training of at
least two years. The age limit is 35 (exceptions: Australia, New
Zealand, Poland, Russia and Hungary: 30 years). The job must
be in the profession that was studied and may last no more than
18 months. Canadian students who would like to complete their
education with an internship are also admitted. There are special
quotas for trainees, and national legislation giving priority to
Swiss nationals does not apply. There is no provision for trainees
to bring their families with them.
Fig. 23: Countries with which Switzerland has a trainee agreement
Argentina
Australia
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Rep.
Hungary
Monaco
New Zealand
Philippines
Poland
Romania
Russia
Slovakia
South Africa
Ukraine
US
Source: Foreign trainees in Switzerland: guide for foreign trainees and Swiss
employers, www.swissemigration.ch
www.swissemigration.ch provides a guide for foreign trainees and
potential employers, addresses, a standard employment contract
and application forms.
Guide
www.swissemigration.ch
Search under: Trainee exchange
Languages: German, English, French, Italian
6.5 Naturalization.
The naturalization process consists of three levels. It is possible
to apply for Swiss citizenship in your municipality or canton, each
of which has its own requirements for naturalization in addition to
those imposed by the federal government (see below).
The following requirements must be met to become a naturalized
Swiss:
• Resident for 12 years in Switzerland (years of residency between
ages 10 and 20 count double)
• Integration into Swiss life
• Familiarity with the Swiss lifestyle, customs and traditions
• Observance of Swiss laws
• No threat to the domestic or international security of Switzerland
Foreign spouses of Swiss citizens (simplified naturalization after
five whole years of residence in Switzerland and after three years
of marriage) and children of Swiss parents who are not yet Swiss
citizens benefit from simplified naturalization.
Information on naturalization
As a result of the bilateral agreements between Switzerland and
the EU on the free movement of persons, nationals of the 15 original
EU countries and Norway no longer need official work permits.
Verification has been replaced by mandatory registration – anyone
residing in Switzerland for more than four months in order to work
must be officially registered with the cantonal labor market office.
Owing to this improved legal status, the trainee agreements with
these countries have been suspended.
www.ch.ch
Languages: German, English, French, Italian
Handbook for Investors 2010
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