All,
Anyone have input on the following situation? Im on an expat assignment (US national), and just found out that due to a reorganization, I will be laid off. My work permit expires at the end of July (one year permit). I've been here less than a year and I would like to explore opportunities with other companies. So my question is, if an employer was interested in hiring me, what process would they have to go through and approximate timing? If I switched from an expat to a local contract, would that affect the process and/or timing?

I'm trying to evaluate how realistic it is for me to purse other opportunities based on the visa situation as I have a limited amount of time before I lose my relocation benefits back to the US.

Thanks

As i understand it the SwissCo would need to apply for Work Permit for you after proving the local and EU market cannot fulfil the role in question. So fairly lengthy process.

An expat contract is usually project or otherwsie time limited and changing jobs on the resulting permit is not allowed. Your new employer would normally need to start from scratch.

However, there are plenty of examples where, with the support of both existing and new employers, people have managed to move to a new role in Switzerland in special circumstances. Being fired while on assignment is one of them.

Your new employer must, however, be prepared to put some effort in and you require the written support of your existing employer stating that it's circumstances beyond your or their control, no fault of yours, upstanding guy, etc etc.

It's a difficult process with no guarantee of success but worth a try.

Thanks all for the input