Switzerland has always been known for its neutrality; however, when the conflict in Ukraine broke out, the government showed and still shows solidarity with those fleeing their own country. For this purpose, the S visa or protection status can be obtained by those who move to Switzerland from Ukraine for a minimum period of one year.
It is also possible to immigrate to Switzerland from Ukraine through the normal visa procedures, considering the local regulations. If you want to come here and need support, our immigration lawyers in Switzerland are at your service. We will help you verify your situation and apply for the appropriate type of residence permit.
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One of the exceptional measures taken by the Swiss government is to allow Ukrainian citizens to enter the country without a valid passport or other biometric travel documents. However, for Ukrainian citizens coming from states outside the Schengen Area, the usual requirements apply. Please be advised when seeking to relocate to Switzerland from Ukraine about the conditions that apply to your situation.
Another important aspect to consider is that S visa holders can travel to Ukraine and return to Switzerland for a maximum of 15 days if they do not want to lose their protected status.
If possible, do not hesitate to get in touch with our immigration law firm in Switzerland for updated information on the S protection status.
If you are planning to move to Switzerland, you can rely on our immigration specialists. They can support your application for a wide variety of visas, including long-term residence permits. These have the advantage of allowing to obtain permanent residency in Switzerland after a period of time.
While it is true that immigration rules in Switzerland are a little difficult, you can rely on specialized support to move here. Our specialists are at your service with advice and support in obtaining a residence permit in Switzerland. Feel free to get in touch with us for personalized services.
Citizens in EU states can qualify for Swiss B permits with an extended validity of 5 years. Based on the means of relocation, extensions are possible for one year and up to another 5 years, thus leading to permanent residency. Contact us for details on the specifics of this type of visa for Switzerland.
At the moment, the Swiss Embassy in Kyiv is closed, and the closest embassy Ukrainian citizens can contact is the one in Bucharest, Romania. Through it, one can obtain:
The usual time to obtain a visa for Switzerland is about 15 working days; however, the procedure can also take longer, while a work permit is issued in one to 3 months.
If you decide to move to Switzerland from Ukraine and need advice on choosing a type of residence permit, feel free to address our immigration specialists. Each permit comes with its own requirements, which is why specialized support is recommended. For example, the national visa or the D-type visa is issued at the discretion of the cantonal migration offices.
Our immigration lawyers are at your service if you want to apply for a Swiss C permit. Get in touch with us for support in drafting the documents and filing them with the immigration authorities. Our lawyers will offer a personalized approach to every case in order to increase the chances of success.
Usually, foreign citizens from EU and non-EU countries are attracted to the living conditions in Switzerland, which is why the number of visa applications is quite impressive. Therefore, if you are interested in moving to this country, our immigration attorneys can advise you to use specific expat services if you want to increase your chances of relocation.
Apart from allowing those who immigrate to Switzerland from Ukraine as refugees, another special measure taken by the government is to enable them to take employment immediately. They can also become sole trader without having to apply for the specific visas. However, in the case of employees, one must first wait for the employer to apply for the Swiss work permit.
If you have any questions on how you can relocate to Switzerland from Ukraine, our immigration lawyer is at your service with information about the requirements applicable at the cantonal level.
An important aspect for people immigrating to Switzerland from Ukraine is the recognition of diplomas and professional qualifications, as this process can directly influence access to the labor market.
If you immigrate from Ukraine and you have a diploma in the following regulated professions: teacher at all levels, attorney (at law), civil engineer, or architect, then it will be recognized by official authorities in Switzerland.
For professions that are not regulated, employers can decide whether or not to accept a qualification obtained abroad, but in certain fields, language skills or an additional assessment of qualifications may be required.
The national authorities responsible for verifying and approving the process of recognizing study diplomas in Switzerland are the Research and Innovation (SERI) and the State Secretariat for Education.
Therefore, if you are interested in obtaining Swiss citizenship, our lawyers can guide you through the entire process, including legal matters.
The Swiss labor immigration system is regulated by annual quotas set by the federal authorities, which limit the number of permits granted to workers from non-EU/EFTA states. Switzerland will continue to authorize up to 8,500 non-EU/EFTA professionals in 2026, according to the Swiss Federal Council:
In addition, there are separate quotas for other categories of workers:
If you have just decided to immigrate to Switzerland from Ukraine, please contact us for more support on the legal aspects of this process.
