Back to visa checker
Switzerland · Work visa
Intra-Company Transfer (GATS / Assignment)
- Processing
- 8-14 weeks
- Cost
- From CHF 188
- Validity
- Aligned to assignment
Route for managers, specialists and executives transferred from an overseas group entity to a Swiss branch or affiliate, drawing on B or L permit quotas.
Requirements
- Employed by the sending company, typically for at least 12 months
- Transferring to a Swiss entity of the same group as a manager or specialist
- Salary and conditions meeting Swiss norms
- Permit drawn from the federal third-country quota
- Cantonal and SEM approval
Time and cost
- Processing time
- 8-14 weeks
- Validity
- Aligned to assignment; B up to 1 year renewable, L up to 24 months
- Cost
From CHF 188
Required
- CHF 100 to CHF 160 permit fee
- CHF 88 D-visa
- Path to residency
- C settlement permit typically after 10 years of residence
Documents
Valid passport
Valid for the assignment
Assignment / secondment letter
From the sending and receiving entities
Proof of group relationship
Corporate documents linking the entities
Qualifications and CV
Evidence of specialist or managerial status
Tips
- Still counts against the third-country quota, so plan timing carefully
- UK transferees do not undergo the economic-needs test under this route
- Home-country payroll and social security arrangements should be reviewed