Hiring good international workers in Switzerland is a smart choice for many companies. But in 2026, you need to plan your budget carefully and understand the Swiss rules well. The Federal Council has decided to keep the quota numbers the same as in 2025. This gives companies some clear planning time. However, each canton still has its own fees and rules, which can make things a bit hard.
This guide explains the costs for getting quota approval in Switzerland in 2026 in simple words. It helps HR teams know the money side and the steps for hiring foreign talent from outside the EU/EFTA area.
Primary Fee Structure
Switzerland has a system where the federal government sets the total number of permits (quotas), but each canton handles a lot of the work and charges its own fees. This is called the decentralized system. The main fees come from different levels.
- Cantonal Labor Market Review The biggest fee is for the cantonal check. The canton looks at your job offer to make sure you tried hard to find a Swiss or EU/EFTA person first. This is called the priority check or labor market test. This fee is usually between CHF 500 and CHF 1,200. It depends on the canton. For example, big places like Zurich or Geneva may charge more because they have more cases. You pay this to the cantonal labor office, like the Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit.
- Federal SEM Approval Fee After the canton says yes, the papers go to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) in Bern. They give the final okay from the federal side. This federal fee is small, between CHF 80 and CHF 150.
- Issuance of Residence Permit When the worker arrives in Switzerland, they need to get the actual residence card. This is the biometric card for L or B permit. The worker usually pays this fee to the local commune. It costs between CHF 65 and CHF 95.
- Cantonal Surcharges Some cantons add extra charges. For example, if you want fast processing or if the case is hard and needs more legal checks, Zurich or Geneva might add surcharges. These extra fees help cover more work by the office.
2026 Quota Allocations
The quota is the limit on how many permits Switzerland gives each year to people from outside the EU/EFTA (called third-country nationals). In 2026, the numbers stay the same as before. This helps companies because they know what to expect.
The total for non-EU/EFTA third-country quota is 8,500 permits.
Non-EU/EFTA Third-Country Quota
- 4,500 B Permits: These are for long stays. They start with 12 months and can be renewed. Companies use these for people they want to keep for a long time.
- 4,000 L Permits: These are for short stays, up to 12 months. These often finish faster because many companies need quick hires.
Getting one of these is hard because many companies want them. Cantons get a share of the national quota, and popular cantons like Zurich can use theirs up quickly.
Special Envelopes for 2026
There are extra groups with their own quotas.
- UK National Quota: After Brexit, the UK has a special quota of 3,500 total (2,100 B permits and 1,400 L permits). This helps British workers come to Switzerland more easily.
- EU/EFTA Service Provider Quota: This is 3,500 total. It is for EU/EFTA companies sending their staff to Switzerland for projects longer than 120 days.
- Federal Reserve: The SEM keeps a small number of permits. If a canton uses all its permits early, they can ask for more from this reserve. This happens often in busy cantons like Zurich and Vaud.
These special groups make it easier for some hires without using the main third-country quota.
Recruitment & Compliance Costs
The government fees are not the only costs. There are many other expenses to follow the rules. These “hidden” costs can sometimes be more than the permit fees.
- Mandatory Job Posting Costs You must show that you advertised the job. You post it on the ALV (Regional Employment Centers) and other places like LinkedIn. This must be for at least 3 to 4 weeks. There might be small costs for ads, but the time spent is big.
- Salary Benchmarking (Salarium) You need to pay a fair salary. Use the federal Salarium tool to check the normal wage for that job in your area. If your offer is even 5% lower, the permit can be refused because of “wage dumping.” This is very important to get right.
- Legalization & Translation Fees All important papers like diplomas and CVs must be in German, French, or Italian (depending on the canton). You often need sworn translations. Each document can cost CHF 100 to CHF 250.
- Administrative Burden HR teams spend a lot of time on each case. Preparing the Justification Letter is key. This letter explains why no local or EU person was good for the job. It can take 20 hours or more per application. This time costs money in staff hours.
Special Categories & Exemptions
Some ways let you skip the quota limits or make things easier.
- Intra-Company Transferees (ICT) If you move a senior manager or key specialist from your company in another country, it can use a special track. It is still under quota, but the process is faster for important people.
- The 120-Day Rule If the work in Switzerland is less than 120 days in a year, you do not need a quota permit. This is great for short projects in consulting or IT.
- Trainee Exchange Programs Switzerland has agreements with countries like Canada and the USA. Young people under 35 can come as trainees using separate quotas that are not so competitive.
2026 Strategy Tip: The “January 2” Filing
From past years, like 2025, we see that quotas in busy cantons finish fast. L permits in Zurich can be gone by late summer. For 2026, a good plan is to file early. Start your important applications right when cantons open on January 2. This way, you get the permit before others, and you avoid waiting for the reserve in November. This early start helps a lot in places like Zurich, Geneva, and Vaud where demand is high.
In summary, hiring from outside the EU/EFTA in Switzerland in 2026 costs money in fees and time. The main permit fees are CHF 500–1,200 at canton level, plus small federal and residence fees. But add the costs for ads, translations, salary checks, and HR work. The quotas are fixed at 8,500 for third-country nationals, with extras for UK and EU service providers.
Plan early, check salaries well, and file in January to have the best chance. Would you like me to make a simple table comparing fees in Zurich and Geneva, or a checklist for recruitment proof in 2026?
Disclaimer: This article is for information and learning only. Please check the latest details from official places like the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) before you make any hiring or money decisions.