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17.12.2011, 23:58
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
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.
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18.12.2011, 02:53
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Switzerland, Aargau
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
Maybe you start with be about more specific about yourself. Background, your skills, ideas and so on. Your by far to general.
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18.12.2011, 03:17
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
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.
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18.12.2011, 03:41
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: romandie
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
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.
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18.12.2011, 11:32
| Senior Member | | Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Near vevey
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
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.
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18.12.2011, 12:17
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen | Quote: | |  | | | 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. | | | | | 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.
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23.12.2011, 20:16
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
Is it possible to go into switzerland to have meetings every 2-3 months, come back and the go again?
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23.12.2011, 20:41
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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.
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23.12.2011, 21:07
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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.
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23.12.2011, 21:09
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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?
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23.12.2011, 21:21
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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?
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23.12.2011, 21:28
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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.
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23.12.2011, 21:32
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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?
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23.12.2011, 21:35
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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.
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23.12.2011, 21:37
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
Just invoice the Swiss branch. Should be OK.
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23.12.2011, 21:40
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
Not following.
Then how would I get paid? ... CHF? What about transferring CHF to USD? Won't it be watched?
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23.12.2011, 21:42
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa
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.
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23.12.2011, 21:47
| Newbie 1st class | | Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: Zurich
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
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?
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23.12.2011, 21:57
|  | Forum Legend | | Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Kt. Bern
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| | Re: Self Employed Contractor would like to get visa | Quote: | |  | | | 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? | | | | | 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.
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23.12.2011, 21:59
| Member | | Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Wollerau
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| | Re: Contracting In Switzerland US Citizen
Jim: I agree, there must be something like that in place.
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