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1. Overview

If you are a foreigner and wish to work in Geneva as an employed or self-employed person without taking up residence there, you must obtain a cross-border work permit from the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

The conditions for obtaining such authorisation vary according to your nationality and the duration of your gainful activity.

Autres feuillets du livret

You are an EU/EFTA national and your gainful activity lasts for a maximum of 3 months per calendar year

In this case, you will need to complete a notification procedure for short-term work (free of charge). If, during the current calendar year, you have already worked for 3 months or been issued a valid permit, you will need to apply for a cross-border work permit.

Online notification procedure

You are an EU/EFTA national and your gainful activity lasts for more than 3 month:

You must apply for a cross-border work permit (G permit)

Employed activity for EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are a national of a third country (outside the EU/EFTA) and wish to pursue an employed activity as a cross-border worker

Your employer must apply for a cross-border work permit (G permit)

Employed activity for non-EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are an EU/EFTA national and you leave the Canton of Geneva for another country, but you are still gainfully employed in Geneva

You must apply for a cross-border work permit (permit G).

Apply for a cross-border work permit (EU/EFTA)

You are an non-EU/EFTA national and you are leaving the Canton of Geneva for neighbouring France while wishing to keep your gainful activity in Geneva

Subject to certain conditions, your employer can apply for a cross-border work Permit (G Permit).

Apply for a cross-border work permit (non EU/EFTA)

You are an EU/EFTA national and wish to pursue an independant activity as a cross-border worker

You must apply for a cross-border work permit (permit G).

Self-employed activity for EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are a national of a third country (outside the EU/EFTA) and wish to pursue an independant activity as a cross-border worker

You must apply for a cross-border work permit (permit G).

Self-employed activity for non-EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are an EU/EFTA national holding a G permit and change employer

You must announce a change of employer.

Change of employer for EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are a non-EU/EFTA national holding a G permit and wish to change employer

Your new employer must submit an application.

Change of employer for non-EU/EFTA cross-border worker

You are a cross-border commuter and no longer work in the canton

You must announce the cessation of your activity

Announce the cessation of activity

Frequently asked questions in relation to EU/EFTA cross-border permits

FAQs in relation to EU/EFTA cross-border permits

BREXIT - As of 1 January 2021, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the European Union (AFMP) no longer applies to relations between Switzerland and the United Kingdom. UK nationals are no longer considered as EU/EFTA nationals but as third-country nationals.

However, due to the grandfathering agreement between Switzerland and the United Kingdom, applications for G permits from UK nationals are treated as for a national of an EU/EFTA Member State in the following cases:

the United Kingdom national holds a valid establishment permit (permit C) obtained before 31 December 2020
the United Kingdom national holds a valid residence permit (B permit) or a valid short-term residence permit (L permit) obtained before 31 December 2020

In all other cases, they are treated as applications from nationals of a non-EU/EFTA State (third country). The same applies to British nationals holding a G permit wishing to settle in Switzerland.

In the case of a change of employer, a British national holding a cross-border permit obtained before 31 December 2020 will also be able to benefit from the acquired rights, but only if there is no interruption of activity (30-day tolerance).

For further information on Brexit, please consult the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

Information on Brexit - SEM website

For your information

As a cross-border worker residing in a neighboring country (France, Germany, Italy, Austria), you are obliged to make a formal and irrevocable choice between the health insurance of your country of residence and the Swiss health insurance (LAMal) within three months of starting your activity in Switzerland. For more information, see:

2. EU/EFTA cross-border work permit as an employed person

For whom

You are an EU/EFTA national and wish to pursue gainful employement in Geneva as a cross-border worker.

Any activity - including unpaid interships - requires a work permit.

Young workers under the age of 13 are not allowed to work. Between 13 and 15 years of age, their appointment is subject to prior authorisation by the OCIRT according to the following information.

When

Your application for work authorisation must be submitted before starting your activity.

If you have been granted a residence permit in Switzerland (including the canton of Geneva), you must announce your departure for the foreign country before you can apply for a cross-border work permit.

What

With a cross-border work permit (G permit), you benefit from professional and geographical mobility throughout Switzerland. The application for a cross-border work permit must be filed in the canton where the activity is carried out.

As this permit is tied to a specific employer, you must announce any change in your activity (new employer or termination of employment relationships) within 14 days.

Furthermore, since the cross-border work permit is linked to an employer, it is not possible to obtain a permit to facilitate job search.

Terms

You must fulfill the following three conditions:

be domiciled in an EU/EFTA Member State
be employed by a company domiciled in Switzerland
return at least one day per week to your home abroad

Attachments

1 colour copy of a valid ID
1 certificate from your employer or a copy of your employment contract

For employment agencies, add:

1 copy of the assignment and/or service rental contracts

For apprentices, add:

1 copy of the apprenticeship contract
proof of financial means

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Businesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their requests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

You can start your activity as soon as you send your complete file to the population office.

The cross-border work permit is sent directly to the employer, with an average delay of 12 weeks.

Apply for a cross-border work permit

Your request is made online. Those who have difficulties with the online process can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

3. Non-EU/EFTA cross-border work permit as an employed person

For whom

Any company wishing to hire a non-EU/EFTA national residing in France must apply for a cross-border work permit (permit G) from the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

This applies to any gainful activity, including as a trainee, apprentice, volunteer, social worker, artist or missionary.

If the person concerned has a residence permit in Switzerland and works in Geneva, reference should be made to the following specific information.

For any change of activity related to a G permit (change of employer or end of work relations), consult: Change of employer and Fin des rapports de service.

Third-country nationals do not have easier access to the Swiss labour market (see under "terms" below).

When

The employer must submit the application approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the planned activity in Switzerland.

The employee is entitled to work only if he or she has received his or her work permit.

What

The cross-border work permit (G permit) is tied to a specific employer.

As a result, it is not possible to obtain a G permit to facilitate a job search.

Terms

Requirements for non-EU/EFTA nationals:

The person for whom the work permit is requested must meet the following requirements:

have a right of durable residence in one of Switzerland's neighbouring countries
have been legally resident in the neighbouring border area for at least six months
return at least one day a week to their home abroad

Labour market terms and conditions:

The request is transmitted by the OCPM to the OCIRT which verifies that the following conditions are indeed fulfilled:

the admission of the foreign national is in Switzerland's economic interests.
the priority of the Swiss labour markets and of the EU/EFTA countries is respected. This means that the employer can only submit an application if they have previously explored the Swiss and European markets. Their search must have been unsuccessful and they must prove:
- that they announced as soon as possible the vacancy in the cantonal employment office (OCE), irrespective of the unemployment rate in the branch concerned, and that the OCE did not find a qualified candidate within a reasonable period of time.
- That they have carried out in-depth and timely searches in Switzerland and in the EU/EFTA countries in order to find a worker with the required profile (advertisements on websites in Switzerland and in the EU/EFTA countries, use of employment agencies, etc.).
- that for the post in question they cannot train a worker available on the Swiss market or have one trained within a reasonable time.
the usual working and wage conditions in the sector are respected. Find the applicable conditions through 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 requests advance notice from the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva, whose members represent employers, employees and the State.

It should be noted that the OCIRT may set conditions and limits to the authorisation granted, for example:

time-limited authorisation
no professional mobility
renewal or extension conditional on the achievement of the objectives announced in the initial application

In some cases, favourable decisions of the OCIRT are transmitted to the State Secretariat for Migration for approval.

Employing foreign nationals without a work permit is a criminal offence that can be reported.

Attachments

1 colour copy of your valid passport
1 passport-sized photo (with full names on the back)
1 copy of civil status document
1 proof of residence in neighbouring France issued by the City Hall attesting to a stay of more than 6 months
1 copy of the foreign residence permit of a durable nature
extract from the criminal record
work contract signed by both parties
evidence of and detailed results of the employer's research on the Swiss and European markets
CV, copy of diplomas and work certificates of the applicant
cover letter from the employer describing in particular the position and the economic interest of the application (see: Procedure for writing your cover letter)
information on the company and the staff situation (number of employees, nationalities and types of permits)

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Businesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their requests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

The examination of the application by the OCIRT is also subject to a fee (art. 12) charged by this service to the employer.

Processing times

The employer shall be kept informed of the outcome of its request within 12 weeks.

Apply for a cross-border work permit

Your application, as an employer, is done online. Businesses encountering difficulties with online approaches can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

4. Non-EU national working in Geneva wishing to live in France

For whom

People who:

are non-EU/EFTA nationals and
hold a durable C or B permit for gainful employment and
leave Switzerland for neighbouring France but wish to continue their gainful activity in the canton of Geneva.

In the context of an employed activity, it is up to the employer to carry out the necessary procedures for applying fo a cross-border work permit (G permit).

When

The application for a work permit must be made by the employer before the departure announcement.

Otherwise, the application may be filed up to a maximum of two months after departure.

What

The cross-border work permit (G permit) is tied to a specific employer.

Any change in activity (new employer or termination of employment) must be announced within 14 days. In the case of a term-of-service or conditional permit (see below), an announcement is not sufficient. A new authorisation must be obtained beforehand.

Terms

Have resided and pursued a gainful activity in Switzerland in the year preceding departure.
Keep a job
Establish legal residence in the neighbouring border area
Return at least 1 day a week to their home abroad

Conditions applicable from 1st of September 2025

Have resided and pursued with the same employer a gainful activity in Switzerland for the 2 years preceding departure
Retain current employer
Establish legal residence in the neighbouring border area
Return at least 1 day a week to their home abroad

Contrary to usual applications, once these conditions are met, applicants will be able to obtain a cross-border work permit without a new prior decision from the cantonal market authority (OCIRT).

There may be reservations, on a case by case basis, for B residence permits limited to the duration of employment with an employer or subject to the following conditions:

for B permits limited to the duration of the duties, the limitation to professional mobility is for a period of 3 years (under work permit B). As a result, the person who receives a G permit after two years has their occupational mobility restricted for another year. Any request for a change of employer within these 12 months will be subject to the prior authorisation of the cantonal labour market authority (OCIRT).
for conditional B permits, the duration of the restriction varies. It ca be lifted after 12 months, but it can also be maintained for several years. A cross-border work permit may be issued only for the period corresponding to the duration of the restriction. The G permit will be conditional. Its renewal will be subject to the prior decision of the cantonal labour market authority (OCIRT) in the same way as if the person had continued to hold a conditional B permit.

Attachments

1 colour copy of a valid passport
1 passport-sized photo
1 copy of civil status document
receipt of the application for a residence permit in France. A copy of the permit must be submitted at 12 months in connection with the renewal
work contract signed by both parties

Additional documentation to demonstrate uninterrupted activity for two years with the same employer may be requested depending on the case.

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Businesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their requests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

Where the application is subject to a labour market review by the OCIRT, the latter shall also receive a fee (see Chapter V).

Processing times

The employer shall be kept informed of the outcome of its request within 12 weeks.

In the event of a request for a change of employment (permit limited to the duration of the duties), the applicant is not authorised to work.

Apply for a cross-border work permit

Your application, as an employer, is done online. Businesses encountering difficulties with online approaches can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

5. EU/EFTA cross-border work permit as a self-employed person

For whom

You are an EU/EFTA national and wish to pursue self-employed gainful activity in Geneva as a cross-border worker.

Any gainful activity requires a work permit.

When

Your application for work authorisation must be submitted before starting your activity.

If you have been granted a residence permit in Switzerland (including the canton of Geneva), you must announce your departure for the foreign country before you can apply for a cross-border work permit.

What

With a cross-border work permit (G permit), you benefit from professional and geographical mobility throughout Switzerland. The application for a cross-border work permit must be filed in the canton where the activity is carried out.

You must announce any change in your activity (new employer or termination of activity) within 14 days.

Terms

You must fulfill the following three conditions:

be domiciled in an EU/EFTA Member State
have your company's headquarter in Switzerland
return at least one day per week to your home abroad

If the profession or activity is regulated, the related additional authorisations must be obtained.

The list of regulated activities and professions is avalaible on the SERI website.

Attachments

1 colour copy of a valid ID
evidence of carrying out an independent activity such as a complete project/business plan (nature of the activity, organisation of the undertaking, financial forecasts, etc.)
evidence of business adress (extract from the commercial register, copy of the rental agreement for the company's premises, etc.)

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Businesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their requests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

It is possible to start the professional activity as soon as the complete file is transmitted, unless the profession exercised is regulated and requires additional authorisation from the State.

The cross-border work permit is sent directly to the business address with an average delay of 12 weeks.

Apply for a cross-border work permit

Your request is made online. Those who have difficulties with the online process can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

6. Non-EU/EFTA cross-border work permit as a self-employed person

For whom

Any non-EU/EFTA (third country) national wishing to carry out a self-employed gainful activity in Geneva as a cross-border worker must apply for a cross-border work permit (permit G) from the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

Any gainful activity requires a work permit.

Third-country nationals do not have easier access to the Swiss labour market (see under "terms" below).

When

You must submit the application approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the planned activity in Switzerland.

You are entitled to work only if you have received your work permit.

Terms

Requirements for non-EU/EFTA nationals

have a right of durable residence in one of Switzerland's neighbouring countries
have been legally resident in the neighbouring border area for at least six months
return at least one day a week to their home abroad

Labour market terms and conditions

The request is transmitted by the OCPM to the OCIRT which verifies that the following conditions are indeed fulfilled:

Serving Switzerland's economic interests
- This may be the case where the company contributes to the diversification of the regional economy in the sector concerned, obtains or creates jobs for local workers, makes substantial investments and generates new mandates for the Swiss economy.
Have a sufficient and autonomous source of income
Demonstrate that the financial conditions and operating requirements of the business are met (see documents requested below)

Applications for third country nationals are also examined by the Directorate for Foreign Labour of the OCIRT, in terms of conditions of access to the labour market. They are competent to make prior decision before a person who is not entitled to work takes up employment. To this end, the OCIRT submits the request for prior notice to the Tripartite Commission for the Economy of the Canton of Geneva.

Attachments

1 colour copy of your valid passport
1 passport-sized photo (with full names on the back)
1 copy of civil status document
1 proof of residence in neighbouring France issued by the City Hall attesting to a stay of more than 6 months
1 copy of the foreign residence permit of a durable nature
extract from the criminal record
CV, copy of diplomas and work certificates of the applicant
cover letter
full project presentation file - business plan (nature of the activity, organisation of the company, financial forecasts, figures and details over 3 years including turnover, expenses, profits, staff, etc.)
proof of sufficient and autonomous source of income

Price

Payment is made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

The examination of the application by the OCIRT is also subject to a fee (art. 12) charged by this service.

Processing times

You shall be kept informed of the outcome of your request within 12 weeks.

Apply for a cross-border work permit

Your request is made online. Those who have difficulties with the online process can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

7. Change of employer for EU/EFTA cross-border worker

For whom

You are an EU/EFTA national holding a cross-border permit (permit G) and change employer.

When

The application must be filed within 14 days before the new job is taken.

Attachments

Colour copy of a valid I.D.
new employer's certificate or signed contract of employment
certificate of termination of service reports (form R) provided by the last employer

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Businesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their requests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

You can start your actvity as soon as you send your complete file to the population office.

The cross-border permit is sent directly to the employer, with an average delay of 12 weeks.

Announcing the change of employer

The announcement is made online and requires a personal or employer account (select the service: "Change employer"). Those who have difficulties with the online process can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.

8. Change of employer for non-EU/EFTA cross-border worker

For whom

You are a non EU/EFTA national (third-country) holding a cross-border permit (permit G) and wish to change employer.

When

The new employer must file the application approximately 6 to 8 weeks before the new job is taken.

Terms

Third-country nationals do not benefit from professional mobility.

They may change employer after a continuous 5-years period of activity unless the G permit has been restricted by a decision of the OCIRT's Directorate for Foreign Labour.

Applications for G permit holders:

who have been in employment for less than 5 years
whose permits are limited to the length of service (restriction on professional mobility)
whose permits are conditional (e.g. on the achievement of specific objectives)

are subject to the OCIRT's Directorate for Foreign Labour and to compliance with restrictive legal conditions (in particular economic interest, priority, etc.).

Attachments

1 colour copy of your valid passport
1 passport-sized photo (with full names on the back)
1 copy of civil status document
1 proof of residence in neighbouring France issued by the City Hall attesting a stay of more than 6 months
1 copy of the foreign residence permit of a durable nature
extract from the criminal record
work contract signed by both parties
certificate of termination of service reports (form R) provided by the last employer

Additional documents for application submitted for authorisation by the OCIRT:

evidence and detailed results of the employer's research on the Swiss and European markets
CV, copy of diplomas and work certificates of the applicant
cover letter from the employer describing in particular the position and the economic interest of the application (see: Procedure for writing your cover letter)
information on the company and the staff situation (number of employees, nationalities and types of permits)

Some additional documents may be requested depending on the case.

Price

Payment is made online or by invoice for companies with a customer account with the OCPM.

Bussinesses with an e-démarches account have the possibility to create a customer account allowing them to benefit from the advantages of a monthly invoice payment. They therefore do not need to pay for each service by means of a credit card. They also have access to a summary of their reuqests made online.

See our Taxes and fees table.

The examination of the applciation by the OCIRT is also subject to a fee (chapter V) charged by this service to the employer.

Processing times

The cross-border work permit shall be sent directly to the employer within three months of receipt of the request.

In the meantime, the employee is not authorized to work.

Requesting a change of employer

Your application, as an employer, is made online. Businesses encountering difficulties with online procedures can obtain an application form to be returned by postal mail by going directly to the OCPM offices.