Working in Geneva with a residence permit

1. Overview

Any person legally resident in Geneva whose residence permit does not expressly state that gainful employment is authorized must take steps to be authorized to work.

Persons holding a valid C permit, irrespective of their nationality, may engage in gainful employment. They do not have to make any special application to the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM).

Certain applications for work permits for third-country nationals (outside the EU/EFTA) are examined by the Directorate for Foreign Labor of the Cantonal Office of Labor Inspection and Relations (OCIRT). It is the commission which is competent to make a prior decision before a person who is not entitled to work takes up employment.

Autres feuillets du livret

  • Your are an EU/EFTA national with a B or L permit without activity and have found a Swiss employer

You must submit an application for a residence permit with activity.

Taking up employment for EU/EFTA nationals
  • You are a third-country national with a permit without activity and have found a Swiss employer

Your employer must submit an application for a residence permit with activity.

Apply for a residence permit with activity
  • You have been granted a residence permit under the family reunification scheme

Find out about employment opportunities.

Access to employment for family members
  • You hold an N permit (asylum seeker) and wish to pursue a gainful activity

Your employer must apply for a work permit.

Work permit for an N permit holder
  • You have an F or B refugee permit and wish to pursue a gainful activity

Your employer must announce your employment.

Announce a job entry for a F or B refugee permit holder
  • You hold an S permit (person to be protected) and wish to pursue a gainful activity

Your employer must apply for a work permit.

Work permit for an S permit holder
  • You are a family member of someone who holds a FDFA legitimation card and would like to pursue a gainful activity

You or your employer must apply for a Ci work permit.

Apply for a Ci work permit
  • Your are a student and want to work while you are studying

You or your employer must apply for a work authorisation.

Student ancillary activity application
  • You are an EU/EFTA student who has completed their studies and would like to seek employment in Switzerland

You must apply for a permit to search for a job.

Permit for post-studies job search - EU/EFTA
  • You are an non-EU/EFTA student who has completed their studies and would like to seek employment in Switzerland

You must apply for a permit to search for a job.

Permit for post-studies jo search - non-EU/EFTA
  • You are an EU/EFTA student and have found a job after completing your studies

You must submit an application for a residence permit with activity.

Taking up employment for EU/EFTA nationals
  • You are a third-country student and have found a job after completing your studies

Your employer must submit an application for a residence permit with activity.

Apply for a residence permit with activity
  • You are a foreign national and would like to establish yourself in Geneva and carry out a self-employed activity

You must submit an application for a residence permit for self-employed.

Residence permit for self-employed
  • You are a foreign national and would like to work in Geneva without residing there

You or your employer must apply for a cross-border work permit.

Cross-border work permit

2. Taking up employment for EU/EFTA nationals

For whom

You are an EU/EFTA national, you reside in Geneva with a B or L permit marked "no gainful activity" and you have found a Swiss employer.

You must announce your employment in order to obtain a residence permit with gainful activity.

Terms

To have the status of worker by exercising a real and effective activity according to the AFMP.

Attachments

  • form K duly completed, dated and signed by the beneficiary and the employer (with company stamp)
  • colour copy of a valid I.D.

Price

Payment is made on invoice.

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a residence permit with gainful activity

Your application must be send by postal mail.

3. Holder of a legitimation card

For whom

The family member of a FDFA legitimation card holder can enter the labour market.

When

The application for a work permit must be made before the gainful activity commences.

The activity can start as soon as the complete file is submitted.

What

A Ci permit is issued in exchange for the legitimation card. This Ci permit provides access to the labour market.

The Ci permit is valid throughout Switzerland.

Any change of employer must be announced.

If your employer is based abroad (e.g. telework), you must also apply for a Ci permit.

Terms

Live in the same residence as the principal holder o the FDFA legitimation card.

Reside in Switzerland

The holders of Ci permits are subject to social insurance and to the payment of tax.

Attachments

  • completed and signed K form
  • colour copy of a valid I.D.
  • Ci attestation from the Swiss Mission
  • original legitimation card

For an independent activity, add:

  • business plan with explanation of the activity

Price

Payment is made by invoice.

See our Taxes and fees table

Processing times

Processing times can be consulted on this page: Délais de traitement moyens des demandes déposées à l'OCPM | ge.ch

Apply for a Ci permit

Your application can be done by postal mail.

4. Holder of an N permit - asylum seeker

For whom

Any company wishing to hire a person already holding an N permit to carry out gainful activity, including as a trainee or apprentice, must obtain a work permit.

When

The employer must file the application 3 to 4 weeks before the start of the gainful activity.

What

The OCPM sends the work authorisation in the form of a letter to the employer.

Terms

The usual working and wage conditions in the sector must be respected. Regular pay conditions can be obtained using the online salary calculator. It should be noted that the employer who applies for a permit also undertakes to comply with the statutory withholding tax requirements.

The employer must wait for the confirmation of the OCPM before starting the gainful activity of his employee. Authorisation 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 for prior notice. This commission is made up of representatives of employers, employees and the State.

Attachments

  • N form completed and signed
  • copy of the work or traineeship contract signed by both parties

Price

No fees are charged by the OCPM for holders of N permits in the Canton of Geneva.

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

Apply for work authorisation

The employer must file the application for a work authorisation for an N permit holder. It must be sent to the address indicated on the form with all the attachments listed above.

5. Holder of an F or B refugee permit

For whom

Holders of a F or B refugee permit have unrestricted access to the labour market throughout Switzerland and to all professional fields.

The employer must take steps to announce their employment or internship (paid or unpaid).

Terms

The gainful activity must comply with the wage and working conditions of the place, profession and branch.

Price

No fee is charged.

Announce the gainful activity or internship

The announcement is made online on the Confederation platform. Once the initial registration is complete, the form can be used to make and cancel announcements.

Individual and businesses without access to EasyGov can announce the gainful activity using the announcement form in pdf format.

6. S permit holder - protected person

For whom

Any company wishing to hire a  person already holding an S permit to carry out a gainful activity, including as a trainee or apprentice, must apply for a work permit.

Terms

The usual work and wage conditions in the sector must be 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.

The employer must wait for the confirmation of the OCPM before starting the gainful activity of his employee. Authorisation 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 for prior notice. This commission is made up of representatives of employers, employees and the State.

Attachments

  • completed and signed pS form
  • Copy of the S permit or decision granting protection status
  • Copy of a national I.D.
  • Copy of the work or traineeship contract signed by both parties
  • Curriculum vitae

Price

No fees are charged by the OCPM for the recruitment of S permit holders from the Canton of Geneva. 

The OCIRT's examination of the application is subject to a fee of 50 francs charged by this service to the employer.

Apply for a work authorisation

The employer must file the application for a work authorisation for an S permit holder. It must be sent by postal mail.