Most commonly, you can move to Switzerland from Canada if you have a job offer or you’ve been admitted to a university. You will have to apply for a visa and a residence permit beforehand from one of the Swiss diplomatic missions in Canada.
Working in Switzerland as a Canadian
To work in Switzerland, you need a job offer for a highly qualified position (e.g. manager, specialist, or other skilled professional in your field.) Additionally:
- You must have relevant work experience and qualifications for the job you’re taking.
- Your salary and benefits must be in line with Swiss standards for that occupation.
- Your employer must prove they could not find a suitable candidate from Switzerland or the EU/EFTA before hiring you.
Exceptions: If you are a corporate transfer, intern, doctoral/postdoctoral researcher, or family member of a Swiss resident, you can bypass some of the standard rules.
Jobs that qualify for a work visa
The job positions most likely to qualify you for a Swiss work visa are those in in-demand sectors. This includes:
- Software Development
- Cybersecurity
- Data Science and Analysis
- Landscape Architecture
- IT
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Engineering
- Construction
Average salary in different sectors
| Swiss franc | Canadian dollars (approximately) | |
| Overall average salary | 75,000 | 86,000 |
| IT | 75,000 – 130,000 | 122,100 – 212,500 |
| Engineering | 90,000- 125,000 | 147,900 – 203,900 |
| Finance and banking | 50,000 – 120,000 | 81,246 – 193,289 |
| Nurses | 65,000 – 100,000 | 106,400 – 114,000 |
| Doctors | 100,000 – 200,000+ | 163,700 – 327,300+ |
| Retail and hospitality | 50,000 – 80,000 | 81,300 – 129,700 |
Youth Mobility Program
One advantage for a Canadian who wants to move to Switzerland is the Youth Mobility Program. Through this program, you can apply for a visa to work or participate in internships in Switzerland for up to 12 months if:
- You are between the ages of 18 and 35.
- You have a job or internship offer in Switzerland, in a field related to your studies or training.
The purpose of the Youth Mobility Program is to foster a cultural exchange between the two countries. It’s a great opportunity for career development, especially for those looking to work or study in a Swiss academic or professional setting.
The maximum period you can stay in Switzerland with this visa is 18 months.
Studying in Switzerland
If you have been admitted to a Swiss university (or other educational institution), you can apply for a student visa. Through this visa, you can live in Switzerland for the entire duration of your study course.
To qualify, you need a letter of admission from an educational institution and proof you can financially support yourself during your stay (at least CHF 21,000 bank balance, which is around CAD 34,000)
If your study course is shorter than three months, you do not need a visa.
Working on a student visa
With a Swiss student visa, you can work part-time (up to 15 hours per week) during the semester, and full-time during semester breaks.
Staying after graduation
After you graduate, you can continue to stay in Switzerland only if you find an eligible job, and apply for a residence permit for work.
Swiss tuition fees compared to Canada
University fees in Switzerland are slightly lower than in Canada, at least when it comes to public universities. On average, you can expect to pay between CHF 1,000 and CHF 4,000 per year (~ CAD 1,600 – CAD 6,500) in Swiss public universities. In contrast, Canadian tuition fees range from CAD 2,000 to upwards of CAD 10,000 per academic year.
So while university fees are not that expensive, that does not apply to the cost of living, since Switzerland is one of the more expensive countries to move to. That’s why, as an international student, you must show you have CHF 21,000 (~ CAD 34,000) in your bank account at the start of each academic year to cover your daily expenses.
Visa and Residence Permit
To live in Switzerland for longer than 90 days, Canadians need a visa and a residence permit. You can apply for both at one of the Swiss representative offices in Canada.
After you submit a visa request, the embassy or consulate where you applied, will forward your application to the relevant cantonal authorities in Switzerland. Once a decision is made, they will inform the diplomatic mission to issue your visa.
Swiss diplomatic missions in Canada
- Swiss Embassy in Ottawa
- Swiss Consulate in Calgary
- Swiss Consulate General in Montreal
- Swiss Consulate General in Vancouver
- Swiss Consulate in Halifax
- Swiss Consulate in Quebec
- Swiss Consulate in Toronto
- Swiss Consulate in Winnipeg
Visa application process
See a short overview of how to apply for a Swiss visa in Canada:
- Download the national visa form, fill it out entirely, and sign it at the end.
- Schedule a visa appointment. Visit the website of the nearest diplomatic mission office to learn about appointment hours.
- Collect the required documents. Once you schedule an appointment, the Swiss diplomatic office will provide a list of supporting documents you will have to collect.
- Apply and pay the visa fee. On your appointment date, show up to submit your documents, pay the visa fee, and provide fingerprint scans.
- Collect your visa and travel to Switzerland. If your visa has been approved, you can pick it up and travel to Switzerland within the specified dates.
Getting your residence permit
Normally, both your visa and your residence permit are processed at the same time by the Swiss cantonal immigration and employment authorities. This means that, after you travel to Switzerland, you will automatically get a residence permit when you register at the municipality office.
However, if you did not receive your residence permit at the same time as your visa, you have to apply for it after you arrive in Switzerland. If you are moving for work, you have to apply as soon as you arrive, since you cannot start working without it.
See here for the local offices of the Swiss cantonal immigration and employment authorities.
Required documents for a Swiss visa
The documents you need for a Swiss visa will depend on the type of visa you are applying for:
- Valid passport (all visas)
- Signed and completed application form (all visas)
- Biometric pictures (all visas)
- Proof of accommodation in Switzerland (all visas)
- Proof of travel health insurance (all visas)
- Valid employment contract, signed by the employer and the employee (for work visa)
- Proof of academic degrees (for work visa)
- Proof of professional experience (for work visa)
- Letter of acceptance from a Swiss university (for student visa)
- Proof of sufficient funds (at least CHF 21,000 per year) to support you throughout your studies (for student visa)
- Proof of independent financial means (for retirement visa)
- Proof of ties to Switzerland (for retirement visa)
The Swiss immigration authorities may ask for additional documentation, based on your specific case.
After Arriving in Switzerland
After you arrive in Switzerland, you still need to finish a few final administrative steps before settling in:
- Register your residence. In the first 14 days of arriving in Switzerland, you have to register your address at the municipality’s residents’ registration office. You must do this even if you’re still living in a temporary residence, such as a hotel. After you find long-term accommodation, you have to register again.
- Get a residence permit. When you register your address, you will also receive your residence permit. If your residence permit application was not pre-approved, then you have to apply for one at the cantonal immigration authorities.
- Register for health insurance. You must register with a health insurance provider within the first three months. If you do not register yourself, you will be automatically assigned to one. Everyone who lives in Switzerland needs to be insured. See the approved health insurers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where to find jobs in Switzerland?
You can look for jobs in Switzerland through the usual online channels: social media, job listing sites, and government sites:
What’s the cost of living in Switzerland?
Switzerland is one of the most expensive countries to live in Europe. In CAD, the average monthly expenses for a single person are:
- Rent: $2,440–$5,458 (CHF 1,540–3,4400)
- Groceries: $646–$1,220 (CHF 410–770)
- Health Insurance: $395–$790 (CHF 250–500)
- Public Transport: $115–$244 (CHF 70–150)
- Dining Out: $32–$65 per meal (CHF 20–40)
To live comfortably, you would need at least CHF 2,800 – CHF 4,500 ($4,500–$7,000) per month, depending on location and lifestyle.
Do I need to pay taxes in Canada if I move?
After you move to Switzerland, you only pay taxes in Canada for income obtained within Canada.
How does healthcare work in Switzerland?
Switzerland has a mandatory private health insurance system where every resident must buy basic coverage from private insurers. The government regulates healthcare through federal law, but services are privately run.
Insurers are obligated to accept everyone who wants to enroll in one of the basic plans, regardless of age or medical history; they cannot profit from these plans. However, most Swiss residents also buy supplemental private insurance for additional coverage, such as dental care and private hospital rooms.
Do I need to speak French, German, or Italian?
You don’t necessarily need to speak any one of the Swiss official languages when you initially move. You will still be eligible for the visa. However, if you are applying for a student visa, language proficiency (at least a basic level) might be a requirement for university admission as well as the visa.
Additionally, if you are thinking of settling in Switzerland long-term, then you should speak the local language to help integrate into Swiss society.
Can I drive with my Canadian license?
Yes, you can use your Canadian license to drive in Switzerland for the first 12 months of your residency. Afterward, you have to exchange your Canadian licence for a Swiss licence.