I know this is a UK based site but there isn't much information for Americans.

Can someone dumb it down for me and tell me if I have to get all the visas and setup a company to work in Switzerland? I'm being told that I have to go through a third party.

Maybe you start with be about more specific about yourself. Background, your skills, ideas and so on. Your by far to general.

I'm a software consultant. Working in the Us. I have my own company and was recently awarded a contract in Switzerland to do work. They have a subsidiary here in the US.

The software is uS based an not many people know how to work with it.

It's not a "UK based site". English refers to the language, not the country.

There is plenty of information for non-EU people setting up companies.

You'll need a visa to work and live here for an extended period of time. If you are working from the US then this is not an issue.

If you need help I know a very good honest young man who can assist you, his fees are minimal, he is Swiss American so speaks perfect English, French, German and Spanish, he is learning Chinese if you need it

For an initial professional consultation he will not charge you, send me a private message and I will ping you his details.

In simple terms as a non-EU/CH citizen you need to go through a third party and have them apply for a the permits for you. Having said that in order to get a permit the company will have to prove that there is no EU/CH available to take up the position. If it is a short term contract them getting the permits should be easier.

In theory it would be possible to set up your own company in Switzerland and have the company apply for the permits, but it would have to prove the same thing - being the owner does not get you a permit automatically. It is an expensive process to go through without being sure of the outcome.

Is it possible to go into switzerland to have meetings every 2-3 months, come back and the go again?

I am a self employed consultant and have won a contract in Switzerland. I'm looking to see if anyone could front as teh company and help me get a work visa whilst on the project. Compensation will be made.

I think you should be able to invoice through your US-based company. (I'm assuming you have one)

You also mention you won't be spending much time here, just flying in and out for meetings. So no permit should be required, maybe a Visa only.

Well not necessarily and only meetings. I will be doing configurations, analysis, development, meetings, consultation, etc.

Is it possible to come in on 3 months, exit, 1 month in US, go again?

I would speak with the Swiss embassy in the US, but I don't why not.

There is probably an agreement in place between the US and Switzerland for such things.

Can the local company in Switzerland you are doing work for not help you?

They could but that's why they are hiring a contractor so they don't have to get involved with that. I was told that I may have to go through Manpower. If anyone knows another firm, that would be great.

Watch out for any agencies here in CH. They are a massive rip off. They take a huge comission.

That said, you are bringing the business to them so you can negotiate their cut.

The main concern companies / agencies have is that as a foreigner (not domiciled in CH) you may take the money, not pay your taxes and run.

So agencies and companies will try push you to be on a pay roll (tax and social decurity contributions deducted at source). This is not what you want I am sure.

Are they willing to accept invoices from the US?

Hi Tenacious,

well I'm still working through the details. It seems that the budgets are separate between the two continents even though the same company. Ideally, it would be great to bill them from the US but they are budgeted in Switzerland.

Just invoice the Swiss branch. Should be OK.

Not following.

Then how would I get paid? ... CHF? What about transferring CHF to USD? Won't it be watched?

Your company invoices a Swiss company for services rendered.

They pay the amount indicated on the invoice. Nothing wrong with that.

This is how businesses work.

Tenacious I'm not sure its' that simple. Won't they require a tax id number? What about setting up the swiss bank account and the bank sees big deposits goign in there. Won't that cause concern?

Yes there is some kind of business visa that allows you to enter the country for short periods several times during the year. Check with your local Swiss embassy.

Jim: I agree, there must be something like that in place.