Change of employer for work permit holder

1. Overview

Depending on your permit and nationality, you are required to:

  • announce a change of employer, or
  • seek permission to change employer
Holders of a durable B permit do not need to announce job changes.

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You have a G permit (corss-border worker) and need to change employer

Change of employer for EU/EFTA G permit

Your are a third-country national, have a conditional B or an L permit (short-term residence permit) and must apply for a change of employer.

Application for conditional B or L permit

You have a B refugee or F (provisional admission) permit and must announce a change of employer.

Announcement for B refugee or F permit

You have an N permit (asylum seeker) and must request a change of employer.

Application for N permit

You have an S permit and must request a change of employer.

Application for S permit

You have a Ci permit and must announce a change of employer.

Announcement for Ci permit

2. Application for conditional B or L permit

For whom

Third-country nationals holding:

  • a conditional B permit, or
  • an L permit with gainful activity or obtained within the framework of family reunification

must obtain a new work permit to change employer.

EU/EFTA nationals holding a valid L permit with gainful activity benefit from professional mobility and do not need to announce changes related to their activity.

When

Your new employer must apply 6 to 8 weeks before the planned job start.

Terms

The application must be filed by the new employer.

The latter must wait for the confirmation of the OCPM before starting to have you work. The authorization shall be granted only if the Directorate for Foreign Labour of the OCIRT accepts the application in advance,

It should be noted that the OCIRT is submitting the employer's request to the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva for prior notice. This committee is made up of representatives of employers, workers and the State.

For more information on the conditions of admission, please visit this page.

Attachments

  • form K
  • colour copy of a valid passport
  • work contract signed by both parties
  • information on the company and the staff situation (number of employees, nationalities and types of permit)
  • employer's motivation letter
  • evidence of and detailed results of the employer's searches in the Swiss ans European markets (inter alia, announcement of the position to the OCE)
  • CV, copy of diplomas and work certificates of the applicant
Applying for a change of employer

The request is made by postal mail.

3. Announcement for B refugee or F permit

For whom

You hold a B refugee or F permit and change employer.

When

The change of employer must be announced within 14 days.

Terms

The announcement of a change of employer must be made by the new employer.

Any cessation of activity must be announced within 14 days.

Announcing a change of employer

The announcement is made online on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

4. Application for N permit

For whom

You have an N permit and want to change employer.

When

Your new employer must submit the application 3 to 4 weeks before the start of the activity.

Terms

The usual working and wage conditions in the sector must be respected. It is possible to obtain the usual salary conditions using the online calculator.

The employer must wait for the confirmation of the OCPM before starting the gainful activity of their employee. Authorization shall be granted only if the Directorate of Foreign Labour of the OCIRT accepts the application in advance.

It should be noted that the OCIRT is submitting the employer's request to the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva. This committee is made up of representatives of employers, workers and the State.

Any cessation of activity must be announced within 14 days.

Attachments

  • completed form N
  • copy of the work contract signed by both parties
  • form R completed by the previous employer or certificate of free engagement

Price

No fees are charged by the OCPM for holders of an N permit of the Canton of Geneva.

The OCIRT charges the new employer a fee of CHF 50 per application.

Apply for a change of employer

The application can be delivered directly to the Protection, Asylum and Return Service or sent by postal mail.

5. Application for S permit

For whom

You hold an S permit and want to change employer.

When

Your new employer must submit the application 3 to 4 weeks before the start of the gainful activity.

Terms

The usual working and wage conditions in the sector must be respected. Regular pay conditions can be obtained using the online salary calculator.

The employer must wait for the confirmation of the OCPM before starting the gainful activity of their employee. The authorization is only granted if the Directorate of Foreign Labour accepts the application in advance.

It should be noted that the OCIRT is submitting the employer's request to the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva for prior notice. This committee is made up of representatives of employers, workers and the State.

Attachments

  • copy of a national identity document
  • copy of S permit
  • completed pS form
  • copy of the work contract signed by both parties
  • form R completed by the previous employer or certificate of free engagement

Price

The application is submitted to the OCIRT, which receives a fee of CHF 50 to verify compliance with the working conditions.

Apply for a change of employer

The application can de made directly to the Protection, Asylum and Return Service or sent by postal mail.

6. Announcement for Ci permit

For whom

You hold a Ci permit and want to change employer.

When

The change of employer must be announced within 14 days before the start of the new gainful activity.

Terms

The primary holder of the legitimation card must be domiciled in Geneva.

Attachments

  • completed form K
  • copy of the work contract signed by both parties
  • form R completed by the previous employer or certificate of free engagement or copy of the certificate of employment of the last employer

Price

Free if change of employer only.

In the event of renewal:

  • CHF 65 for EU/EFTA nationals
  • CHF 85 for third-country nationals
Announce a change of employer

The announce is made by postal mail.