Swiss National Long-Stay (Type D) — EmploymentVerified 2026-04-13Switzerland Work Permit (Long-Stay, >120 days) — Informational
A Switzerland Work Permit (Long-Stay, Type D) is for Indian citizens taking up employment in Switzerland for more than 120 days. Since 20 January 2014, the procedure MUST be initiated by your prospective Swiss employer through the competent Cantonal Migration Authority in Switzerland — NOT by the applicant at VFS or the Embassy. Initial requests submitted directly to VFS / Embassy will be declared INADMISSIBLE. The visa is only stamped after a positive cantonal decision (cantonal authorization) has already been issued.
⚠️ IMPORTANT — SureshotVisa / Pro Lifeset Overseas does NOT provide work permit services for foreign countries. This page is for INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. Work permits for Switzerland must be initiated by your prospective Swiss employer directly with the Cantonal Migration Authority in Switzerland. For other visa categories we CAN help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, Family Reunification — please see the related links.
Processing
Cantonal authorization: varies by Canton and occupation type — typically several weeks to months
Stay Duration
More than 120 days — long-term employment duration
Starting Fee
₹9,600
Apply At
14 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Switzerland visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Applications can be submitted only 180 days (6 months) prior to the intended date of departure — not earlier.
- 2From May 1, 2010 onwards, only passports issued within the previous 10 years are accepted.
- 3Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker.
- 4Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than your intended stay in the Schengen area.
- 5Handwritten or non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01/04/2010 are NOT accepted.
- 6Indian passports containing a MANUAL entry / observation made after 01 April 2010 — where the biographical data (name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, spouse's name, parents' name, address) of the passport holder was changed — are NOT accepted.
- 7If your passport has a handwritten observation "previously known as", you must provide ONE of the following as proof of the name change: (a) your original previous passport showing the old name, OR (b) a photocopy of the data page of your previous passport showing the old name, OR (c) a copy of the name-change advertisement from a local daily newspaper.
Who Can Apply
- Applicants with a confirmed job offer from a Swiss employer
- Applicants whose Swiss employer has obtained cantonal authorization (Ermächtigung / Autorisation / Autorizzazione)
- Special categories (see below) — who can submit initial applications directly at the Embassy
Not eligible under this visa:
- Applicants without a confirmed Swiss employer
- Applicants without cantonal authorization already granted — VFS/Embassy will declare the application INADMISSIBLE
- Short-term work of ≤120 days — different procedure applies
Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Short-Stay) | ₹9,600 |
| Children 6–12 years | ₹4,800 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,690 |
| Courier service (optional) | ₹930 |
| SMS service (optional) | ₹450 |
| Premium Lounge (optional) | ₹4,600 |
| Combo — SMS + Courier Return | ₹1,250 |
All VISA fees and service charges payable in Cash / Card / Online. Fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome. Online payment refund processing: 5–7 working days. POS refund processing: 21 working days. A bank charge is deducted on refunds. Fees subject to change without notice as per current exchange rate.
Documents Required
⚠️ Step 1 — Swiss employer initiates at Cantonal Migration Authority
- !Job offer from Swiss employer
The Swiss employer must have a confirmed job offer for you — this is the prerequisite for everything that follows.
- !Cantonal authorization application — submitted by employer
The Swiss employer submits a work permit application at the Cantonal Migration Authority (in the Canton where the job is located). Without this authorization, your visa application is INADMISSIBLE.
- !Cantonal authorization issued (Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung / Autorisation habilitant les représentations suisses à délivrer un visa / Autorizzazione per il rilascio del visto d'entrata)
Official document issued by the Canton confirming approval. Only after receiving this can the visa application proceed.
Step 2 — Documents for visa stamping (once cantonal authorization is granted)
- !Copy of cantonal authorization document
Issued by the Canton (German, French, or Italian language document)
- !Original passport
Valid minimum 3 months beyond intended stay; at least 2 blank pages
- !2 recent passport-size photographs
35–40mm, colour, not older than 6 months
- !Copy of first and last page of passport
- !Visa fee
Payable at time of submission
- !Travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage valid across all Schengen states
📌 Important — a visa application form is NOT required at this stage
- ○No visa application form needed
Since the cantonal authorization already contains all application details, the standard Type D visa application form is NOT required for the visa stamping step. This is unusual — other Type D visas require the form.
⚡ EXCEPTIONS — Special categories that CAN submit initial requests directly at Embassy
- ○Cabaret Dancers
May submit initial visa request at the Swiss Embassy Delhi in person.
- ○Musicians and artists (paid or unpaid activity <8 months)
Painters, sculptors, authors, actors, movie/theatre professionals, singers, stage interpreters, composers, disc-jockeys, circus artists, variety artists etc. Activities less than 8 months.
- ○Post-graduates — doctoral candidates, post-doctoral students, academic guests, scholarship beneficiaries, MAS students
For a complementary education activity at a recognized University or Higher Education institution in Switzerland. Must submit application personally at the Embassy.
📌 Refer to the official VFS Work Permit checklists
- !Official VFS PDF — 'Documents required if authorization to enter Switzerland has already been obtained'
Use this checklist when your Swiss employer has already secured cantonal authorization. Download the latest version from the VFS Global Switzerland website.
- ○Official VFS PDF — 'Documents required to submit an application at the Swiss Representation abroad (for special categories)'
Only for the special exception categories listed above (cabaret dancers, artists, post-graduates). Download from VFS.
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Secure a job offer from a Swiss employer
The process cannot begin without a confirmed job offer. Your Swiss employer must be prepared to initiate the cantonal work permit application.
Swiss employer submits cantonal authorization request
The employer applies at the competent Cantonal Migration Authority (in the Canton where the job is located). This is the MAIN decision — it cannot be bypassed. Processing time varies by Canton and occupation.
Wait for cantonal decision
The Canton assesses the job offer against quota restrictions, labour market tests, and other criteria. A POSITIVE decision issues the cantonal authorization document (Ermächtigung / Autorisation / Autorizzazione).
Submit visa stamping request at Swiss Embassy Delhi / VFS
Once cantonal authorization is granted, submit the authorization document + passport + photos + fee at VFS India or Swiss Embassy Delhi. No visa application form required at this stage.
Embassy stamps Type D visa
Visa stamping typically takes ~15 calendar days after submission. Collect your passport with the Type D visa.
Travel to Switzerland and register at the Canton
After arrival, you must register at the Cantonal Migration Office within 14 days. They issue your work residence permit (typically Permit B or L depending on contract duration).
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C — Short Stay)
On the VFS page, select your visa type → scroll to the 'Download Form' section at the bottom → click 'New Visa Application Form Visa C'. Form mandatory from March 2, 2020 — old forms are rejected.
National Visa Application Form (Type D — Long Stay 3+ months)
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'National (type D) visa application form'. For long-stay visas (gainful employment, family reunification, study >90 days).
Authorization Form
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'Authorization'. Mandatory for ALL applicants regardless of visa type.
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- ⚠️ Do NOT attempt to apply for a Swiss work permit yourself — it will be declared INADMISSIBLE. The process must be initiated by your employer.
- Ensure your Swiss employer understands the cantonal process — it varies by Canton and can take several months.
- Keep a copy of the original cantonal authorization document — you'll need it for the visa stamping step AND for the Cantonal Migration Office registration after arrival.
- Swiss work permits are subject to annual quotas for non-EU/EFTA nationals (including Indians) — your employer should confirm availability before offering the job.
- Swiss work is subject to labour market tests — employers must prove no Swiss/EU candidate is suitable before hiring non-EU applicants.
- For the special categories (artists, post-graduates), different procedures apply — check with the Embassy Delhi for specific requirements.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Attempting to submit an initial application without cantonal authorization — declared INADMISSIBLE
- 2.Cantonal authorization has expired or relates to a different job / employer
- 3.Passport validity too short (less than 3 months beyond intended stay)
- 4.Cantonal authorization issued under quota restriction but applicant doesn't meet profile
- 5.Missing or insufficient insurance coverage
Frequently Asked Questions
Does SureshotVisa help with Swiss work permits?+
Can I apply for a Swiss work permit directly without an employer?+
My Swiss employer already has my cantonal authorization — what next?+
What are the exception categories that can apply directly?+
How long does the cantonal authorization take?+
What is Ermächtigung / Autorisation / Autorizzazione?+
What other Switzerland visas does SureshotVisa handle?+
This page is for information only
SureshotVisa does not process this visa category. For other Switzerland visa types we can help with — Tourist, Visitor, Business, Student, or Family Reunification — see the related visa types below.
Other Switzerland Visa Types
Switzerland Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Switzerland Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Complete fees, documents, and application guide.
Switzerland Incentive Tour Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Switzerland Incentive Tour visa for groups of 50+ travellers. Simplified group application through the Embassy with specific timelines by group size.
Switzerland Student Visa (Short Stay, ≤ 90 days)
Switzerland Schengen Short-Stay visa for Indian students pursuing studies in Switzerland for less than 90 days. Visa fee is FREE — only VFS service charges apply.
Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Complete fees, document checklist, and application guide for Indian travellers.
Switzerland Visitor Visa (Family / Friends, Schengen Type C)
Switzerland Visitor Visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends living in Switzerland. Schengen Short-Stay Type C, up to 90 days. Complete fees + document guide.
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay Type D) for Indian applicants joining family in Switzerland for more than 90 days. Complete guide on process, fees, and documents.
Switzerland Student Visa (Long-Stay, Type D — >90 days)
Switzerland Student Visa (Type D National Long-Stay) for Indian students enrolling in courses longer than 90 days. Submit directly at Embassy Delhi. Visa fee is FREE — only service charges apply.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Switzerland website and Embassy of Switzerland. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.