Apply for a permit to reside and work in Geneva

In all of the above cases, the OCPM issues the authorisation to the worker only if the OCIRT's Directorate for Foreign Labour accepts the application in advance. The OCPM forwards the employer's request to the OCIRT, which examines it. The Directorate for Foreign Labour shall verify that the following conditions are met:

• The admission of the foreign national is in Switzerland's economic interests.
• The priority of the Swiss labour market and those of the EU/EFTA countries is being respected. This means that the employer can apply for a work permit for a third-country national only if they have previously explored the Swiss and European labour markets. Their search must have been unsuccessful. In other words, when submitting an application for a work permit, the employer of the canton of Geneva must provide proof:
  • That they announced the vacancy as soon as possible to the cantonal employment office (OCE), regardless of the unemployment rate in the sector concerned (oce.de@etat.ge.ch). In addition, the OCE was unable to find a qualified candidate for the position within a reasonable period of time.
  • that they carried out in-depth and timely searches in Switzerland and in the EU/EFTA countries to find a worker with the required profile (advertisements on websites in Switzerland and in the EU/EFTA, use of employment agencies, etc.).
  • that for the post in question they cannot train a worker available on the Swiss labour market or have one trained within a reasonable time.
• Only managers, specialists and skilled workers may be admitted.
• Quotas for B and L permits are available. This means that there is a maximum number of permits that can be granted each year in Geneva.
• The usual working and wage conditions in the sector are respected. Regular pay conditions can be obtained using the online salary calculator. It should be noted that an employer who applies for a permit also undertakes to comply with the statutory withholding tax requirements.
• This is a full-time job.

Depending on the type of request, the OCIRT submits the request for notice to the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva. The commission is composed of members representing employers, employees and the State.

Please note that the OCIRT may:

• grant an authorisation other than initially requested
• set limits and conditions on the authorisation, such as:
  • the authorisation shall be limited in time
  • it does not allow for professional mobility
  • the renewal or extension of the authorisation is subject to the achievement of the objectives announced in the application by the employer.

In some cases, favourable decisions are then forwarded to the State Secretariat for Migration for approval.

For those who have a valid entry permit with a job or a residence permit insurance, gainful employment is allowed as soon as they enter Switzerland. In all other cases, the employee has the right to work only if he or she has received his or her work permit.