Trainee programmes
Switzerland has concluded trainee agreements with several countries. These agreements enable young professionals to broaden their professional and language skills abroad by granting them easy access to entry, residence and work permits regardless of the job market situation. Switzerland has agreements with the following countries:
Argentina, Australia, Canada, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, South Africa, Ukraine, USA
- Swiss national
- Professional with completed vocational training (apprenticeship, college/university). Canada also admits students
- Access to all occupations
- Trainees must be paid according to the rates that are customary locally and in the profession
- Age between 18 and 35 years (Australia: 20 to 30 years, Russia: 18 to 30 years, USA: 20 to 35 years)
- Maximum duration of employment and stay is 18 months
- Part-time work or self-employment is not permitted
Look for a suitable employer in the country of your choice. Once you have an employment contract, agree with the employer upon a training programme. Then you can submit an application to the Federal Office for Migration for entry and admission as a trainee. You can find further information in the guidelines for Swiss trainees abroad.
The application forms and required documents vary from country to country. The time required to process your application also varies. You can find further details in the instructions on the individual countries.
