Chefs from non-EU countries employed by specialty restaurants can be authorized to work in Switzerland provided they meet the following requirements.
1. Establishment Requirements:
The restaurant must meet certain size criteria.
The restaurant must offer services that fit into a coherent concept.
2. Priority Order:
No Swiss worker or citizen from an EU or EFTA country should match the required profile.
To ensure this, job postings must be made in newspapers and with your Regional Employment Office (ORP).
These postings should be at least 3 or 4 and preferably spaced 3 to 4 weeks apart.
3. Personal Qualifications:
The chef must hold a diploma and have at least 7 years of experience.
4. Contingents and Conditions:
There are quotas, as well as conditions regarding remuneration, work, and housing.
It is advisable to apply for quotas at the beginning of the year. However, in urgent situations, your canton can request additional quotas from the federal authorities.
Minimum salary levels are set by collective labor agreements in the restaurant sector.
5. Verification:
Both cantonal and federal authorities will perform checks to ensure that the cantons coordinate on remuneration, working conditions, and housing to avoid discrepancies.
6. Work Permit:
If your request is approved, a one-year renewable Permit B will be granted to your employee, which can then be renewed every two years.
If you manage a specialty restaurant and wish to expand your staff by hiring a national from a non-EU country, our team of professionals would be happy to assist you with your application. We invite you to visit us at Rue du Valentin 1, 1004 Lausanne, Switzerland, for support with your procedures and to answer any questions you may have.
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