Entering the labour market

In general, your application for a work permit is settled when you receive your residence permit.

Normally people who receive a residence permit in Switzerland have the right to work.

Who applies for a work permit? Depending on a person's status and the length of their engagement, either the employer or the person themself makes the application.

If you have any questions about your residence permit and your rights, you can contact the Service de la population (Population Office) (SPOP) and the Service de l’économie et de l’emploi (Economy and Employment Office) (SEE) of the canton of Jura. These services also advise people who do not yet live in Switzerland and wish to work there.

Do you have a B permit (refugee) or an F permit, with or without refugee status? You do not need special permission to work. However, your employer must register the start and end of your employment commitment with the canton, using an official form. They must register it in the canton where you work. Registration is free of charge. This is called the registration procedure.

Are you an asylum seeker with an N permit?

To work, you need authorisation from the Service de la population (Population Office) (SPOP) and the Service de l’économie et de l’emploi (Economy and Employment Office) (SEE).

In Switzerland, Swiss people and people with a C permit can set up their own business. They do not need permission to do so. They follow the normal procedure.

The canton’s Promotion économique (Economic Promotion Office) provides advice and supports people in setting up their own business.

For people with other permits, the situation is different depending on your permit and residence permit.

Contact the Service de la population (Population Office) (SPOP). This office reviews your project and assesses whether it is robust and feasible. It confirms if the company can be created.

The canton’s Promotion économique (Economic Promotion Office) can also advise and assist you in setting up a business and applying for authorisation.

Everyone who works must have a work permit.

They must be registered with the social insurance agencies. And they must declare their income to the tax authorities. If they do not, they may be punished by law.

We’re talking about illegal employment.

If someone is employed illegally, their employer may also be punished by law.

People employed illegally are not covered by accident insurance. And do not pay compulsory social insurance (OASI retirement, AI disability, maternity and unemployment) and will not be entitled to it.

Do you think your employer is not employing you properly? You can contact the Service de l’économie et de l’emploi (Economy and Employment Office) (SEE) using the contact form or the Employment Tribunal.

Generally, young people can work from the age of 15. For small jobs (e.g. for a holiday job), this is permitted from the age of 13.

Adults (parents and employers) need to be careful not to ask young people to do work which is too hard. There are special regulations for working for young people under the age of 18. Hazardous work, night work and Sunday work are prohibited.

Unless such work is part of the young person’s vocational training.