Hello,

My wife and I are in our late 20's (almost 30......ugghh) and planning to move to Switzerland in the late summer or fall (depending on if and when we land jobs). She is from Switzerland (Sissach) and moved to the US when she was 16 and has lived here (North Carolina) since then. We want to move there to be closer to her family and particularly her grandparents since we haven't had the opportunity to spend as much time with them as we have my family. I'm a Financial Analyst with an Accounting background and CPA licensed that specializes in mid-sized companies (approx. 2500 employee's, Annual Revenue 100 - 300 Million) and she's a Scientist that specializes in genetic research (particularly cancer). Upon researching jobs it seems like it might be hard for me to land a job since I'm not a CH citizen nor EU.................any thoughts? After our marriage she registered me through the Swiss Embassy so I'm hoping that helps but unsure at the moment. Anyways, after researching several job websites I believe Basel will be our primary target since that is where the Bio-tech companies seem to be located. Since neither of us have worked permanently in Switzerland can anyone inform us of what to expect as far as general salaries and acquiring a job goes? Thanks! We look forward to meeting some of you and this is an awesome web-site!

P

Hi, P (and Mrs. P)! We are in the same boat, sort of--I'm a US citizen and he's a Swisser--and planning our move at about the same time. Luckily, he already has a job lined up (that's why we are moving), but I need to find one. Good luck, and keep me updated! If I hear any good tips, I'll let you know.

If you are married to a Swiss citizen it doesn't matter where you come from your permit gives you the right to work without any additional permissions needed.

Good luck & welcome to the forum. Lots to read here.

Really? I was under the impression that even if you were married, you still had to get a work-permit.

Yes. You need to get a work permit but since you are married to a Swiss, the permit is guaranteed. So yes, you can say to a company that you will have a permit so they do not have to apply for one. If you were just Joe Blow American, you would not get a permit since you have a lower priority than EU citizens (CH has agreements with the EU).

Given your accounting background, you might want to look at American companies based in CH (especially if you have some experience with SoX). Internal audit for one of the American companies might also be a possibility.

You could also look at the angle of working for one of the big accounting firms in CH that have USA clients who need to file US taxes. This is a big business and a real headache for Americans living in CH.

Good luck with the job hunt, and welcome to the forum! Love your enthusiasm! :-)

Yes. Really.

There is no separate 'work permit'. You get a resident permit with our without work authorization. If you are married to a Swiss citizen you are allowed to work.

I have made that move before being married to a Swiss citizen and you will receive a B pass if im not mistaken.Before you go total immersion in the language and culture would be a plus because you are going to a non English speaking country.You might want to contact your embassy before you go.From my experience the financial sector will be much harder finding a job in than the scientific community.I wish you the best of luck on your pursuit

Have you considered working for the big four? They usually use English as a business language, and like to hire people with US GAAP & SoX experience.

As already mentioned, you will have no problems with the work permit.

Wow! Thanks everyone for all the responses! I'm really glad to hear that the work permit shouldn't be as a big of deal as I originally thought. I will probably try to target the Big 4 initially but since I'm squeeking in on 30 and all of my experience is geared towards corporate finance I'll probably focus on that and particularly American or International companies. Good idea on the Tax advice - thats something I hadn't realized was such a good market! Thanks again everyone! Hopefully, we'll be over soon!

Don't forget to apply for your family reunification entry visa before you leave your home country. Give yourselves plenty of time to get that processed.

Good luck!

With a name like Boudreaux, I have to ask: will you be joining the legion of English Forum members from Louisiana/ the South?

Aus North Carolina it sounds like - the best state, I daresay.

Yes, I am from the South but not Louisiana. But you are right the name was acquired from someone that I worked with that had previously worked in Louisiana.

Man, I was hoping you guys would think I was some fancy French guy............j/k

Also you may want to look at the kanton Zug. Lots of American companies there because the taxes are so low.

I went to school with a Boudreaux family up in New England. They were Acadian, which are the predecessors of the Cajuns. Bet they were related.