Switzerland•Europe

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Young Professionals/Trainees Visa

Working Holiday

At a Glance

Processing Time

4-12 weeks

Estimated Cost

CHF CHF 120

Varies by filing options

Stay Duration

Varies (Maximum 18-month duration for professional and language development)

Renewable

Renewal

Renewable

Family

No dependents

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Official Information

Overview

Temporary exchange program for young professionals aged 18–35 from select countries to work in Switzerland with a job offer for up to 18 months.

The Swiss Young Professionals/Trainees Visa is a bilateral exchange program for 15 partner nations, bypassing the standard labor test. Citizens of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, San Marino, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the US may apply if aged 18–35 with post-secondary education and a confirmed job contract in their field.

The visa permits work for up to 18 months, renewable within a 1.5-year total cap. Fees are approximately CHF 88–120 plus cantonal fees; processing takes 4–12 weeks. Dependents are not covered and employment must remain in the applicant's original field.

This visa is ideal for young professionals and recent graduates seeking international experience in a high-wage economy while maintaining an exit strategy.

Eligible Nationalities (15)

Argentina

Australia

Canada

Chile

Indonesia

Japan

Monaco

New Zealand

Philippines Russia

Russia

San Marino

South Africa Tunisia

Tunisia

Ukraine

United States

Conversion Paths

Visas you can typically switch to from this status.

B — Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)

Switzerland

B — Residence Permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung)

Validity5 years

Processing1–2 months

View Visa Details

Permit L — L Permit - Short-Term Residence for Employment (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)

Switzerland

Permit L — L Permit - Short-Term Residence for Employment (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung)

Validity1 year

ProcessingVaries

View Visa Details

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age between 18 and 35 years (age limits may vary by country, e.g., 20-30 for Australia, 18-30 for Russia/New Zealand)

Must be a citizen of a country with a bilateral trainee exchange agreement with Switzerland

Possession of a completed vocational education (apprenticeship, university degree, or university of applied sciences)

Employment contract with a Swiss host company for a full-time position in the studied field

Detailed training program approved by the employer

Remuneration must align with local and industry standards for career starters

The number of young professionals must not exceed 5% of the host company's total staff

Must not already be residing in Switzerland at the time of application

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed visa application form

Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond the stay)

Signed employment contract with a detailed training program

Proof of qualifications (diplomas or vocational certificates)

CV/Resume

Biometric data (if applicable)

Proof of financial means to support the stay

Health insurance policy

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Bilateral agreements streamline hiring - no labor market test required
Maximum 18 months to gain Swiss work experience in your field
Accessible to citizens of 15 partner countries (AR, AU, CA, CL, ID, JP, MC, NZ, PH, RU, SM, ZA, TN, UA, US)
Qualifying from age 18 with post-secondary education
Convertible to residence permit (Permit B) for continued stay
Fast processing: 4-12 weeks to visa approval
Full-time work authorization in your field of study

Worth Knowing

Job offer required from a Swiss host company before applying
Limited to 18 months maximum stay
Must not exceed 5% of host company's total workforce
Must complete post-secondary education (vocational/degree required)
Remuneration must align with local industry standards for career starters
Only open to citizens of 15 specific countries (not universally available)

Application Process

Check qualification: Verify country is on qualifying list for young professionals program

Secure employment: Find employment in Switzerland matching your profession/field of study

Prepare application: Gather required documents and complete application form

Submit to cantonal office: Apply to cantonal migration office in location of employment

Await approval: Processing typically 3-6 weeks

Receive work permit: Work permit issued for up to 18 months

Application Forms

Young Professionals Visa Application

—

Verified Claims (6)

Last verified Jun 21, 2026

Forms · Young Professionals Visa Application · optional

false

sem.admin.ch

Included Nationalities

AR; AU; CA; CL; ID; JP; MC; NZ; PH; RU; SM; ZA; TN; UA; US

sem.admin.ch

Job Offer Required

true

sem.admin.ch

Max Age

sem.admin.ch

Max Total Years

1.5

sem.admin.ch

Min Age

sem.admin.ch

Official Information

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Overview

Temporary exchange program for young professionals aged 18–35 from select countries to work in Switzerland with a job offer for up to 18 months.

This visa is ideal for young professionals and recent graduates seeking international experience in a high-wage economy while maintaining an exit strategy.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Age between 18 and 35 years (age limits may vary by country, e.g., 20-30 for Australia, 18-30 for Russia/New Zealand)

Must be a citizen of a country with a bilateral trainee exchange agreement with Switzerland

Possession of a completed vocational education (apprenticeship, university degree, or university of applied sciences)

Employment contract with a Swiss host company for a full-time position in the studied field

Detailed training program approved by the employer

Remuneration must align with local and industry standards for career starters

The number of young professionals must not exceed 5% of the host company's total staff

Must not already be residing in Switzerland at the time of application

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Completed visa application form

Valid passport (issued within the last 10 years, valid for at least 3 months beyond the stay)

Signed employment contract with a detailed training program

Proof of qualifications (diplomas or vocational certificates)

CV/Resume

Biometric data (if applicable)

Proof of financial means to support the stay

Health insurance policy

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Bilateral agreements streamline hiring - no labor market test required
Maximum 18 months to gain Swiss work experience in your field
Accessible to citizens of 15 partner countries (AR, AU, CA, CL, ID, JP, MC, NZ, PH, RU, SM, ZA, TN, UA, US)
Qualifying from age 18 with post-secondary education
Convertible to residence permit (Permit B) for continued stay
Fast processing: 4-12 weeks to visa approval
Full-time work authorization in your field of study

Worth Knowing

Job offer required from a Swiss host company before applying
Limited to 18 months maximum stay
Must not exceed 5% of host company's total workforce
Must complete post-secondary education (vocational/degree required)
Remuneration must align with local industry standards for career starters
Only open to citizens of 15 specific countries (not universally available)

Application Process