VISA and WORK PERMIT

In order for the FiR to come and teach in Switzerland, they must apply for a visa and work permit.  The International Programs Office in Malibu facilitates this process in collaboration with the Switzerland Program Swiss lawyers.

To give you a sense of the process, here is a summary:

STEP 1:

In preparation for this process, the IP Office will need to collect a significant amount of information and documents from you, such as passport photos, copies of the diplomas received, etc.  This documentation may take significant time to collect, so please start early.

In addition, the IP Office will have to inform the Swiss lawyers of the following:

1. Have you already entered Switzerland and with what kind of visa?

2. Will you be accompanied by children under 18 (your children)?

THE ABOVE IS PROVIDED AS AN EXAMPLE - PLEASE CONSULT THE IP OFFICE FOR THE EXACT DOCUMENTATION REQUIRED.

STEP 2:

The next step is a two-phase process in which the Swiss lawyers submit the FiR's visa and work permit applications to receive approval.  First it is sent to the Vaud cantonal authority (the state in which Château d’Hauteville is located); when it is approved, it is then forwarded to the federal government for final approval.  Technically, the work permit is approved, and then the visa is authorized to be issued.  The lawyers track the files and inform the IP Office as it moves through each phase.

STEP 3:

When the work permit is approved and the visa is issued, the Swiss Consulate in San Francisco will insert this into the FiR's passport.  Please note that this will mean you may be without your passport for a period of time, so it would be wise to make a copy of it in case you need your passport information while it is at the consulate.

STEP 4:

The IP Office returns your passport to you, and you are ready to go!