Investor Visa In Switzerland
Due to an increasingly positive economic climate and an attractive investment environment, wealthy foreign investors have begun flocking to Switzerland with investments in mind. The Investor Visa program offers non-European Union investors the ability to transfer their existing funds into Swiss Francs, acquire a Swiss residence permit, and gain direct access to one of the most prosperous markets in the world.
Are you an investor looking for the best country to obtain an affordable visa for everything financial? Perhaps Switzerland is the country for you. Most countries today offer wealthy foreigners a way to invest their cash in exchange for visa privileges. This type of visa allows investors to become a temporary or permanent legal resident of a country. We will base our discussion today on – Investor Visa In Switzerland. But, other resources which you can find on our website include some frequently asked questions such as: buy property in switzerland and get residency and switzerland investor visa requirements
Switzerland is one of the most popular countries for an investor to obtain a residency and create a wealth or passive income. Apply for a Swiss Investor visa, you don’t need to live in Switzerland but you may travel throughout the European Union. Selecting your new home and getting your residence permit under the conditions of the investor’s visa is relatively easy once you have chosen where to buy your property and have the required financial assets and investments.
Do you want to live, study or work in Switzerland? But you don’t have enough money to buy a house, set up a company or get qualified. This is where the investor visa program could come in very handy.
There are many countries that are making it easy for foreign investors to access residence visa by making them to invest in real estate properties. Switzerland is also one among them who is giving its own investors a place to reside and open their new businesses.
Investor Visa In Switzerland
An investor visa is the kind of visa that is issued for investors. This type of visa allows foreign investors to invest in a particular country legally, with the aim of creating economic growth. Investor visas are usually issued for specific time periods and have easy-to-meet requirements, making them an attractive option for people who wish to live and work in Switzerland.
To attract foreign investment, experience and talent to Switzerland, the government offers Swiss residence for wealthy individuals and qualified workforce. They encourage affluent individuals as well as qualified specialists and workers to relocate to Switzerland and/or do business/work there, offering them tax and other benefits in exchange for their contribution in the local economy.
A qualified specialist/worker/manager or a wealthy individual from outside EU/EFTA, wishing to come, stay and/or work in Switzerland, must apply for a B-type temporary permit. Your employer must first carry out a labour market test and make an application for you. When the approval is granted, you must apply for a visa in your country of residence. When in Switzerland, you must register with the local authorities before starting your employment.
Temporary residence permit is valid for 1 year, subject to annual renewal. An applicant must either show an employment contract with a Swiss company valid for at least 1 year or a proof of financial independence.
Benefits of investing in Switzerland
It is one of the most advanced economies in the world, with the highest nominal wealth per adult. Switzerland stands at or near the top in several metrics of national performance as compared to other countries, including government transparency, quality of life, economic competitiveness, etc.
- Easy to do business
- Thriving banking sector
- One of the lowest tax rates among developed economies
- Developed transport infrastructure
- Highly skilled, multilingual and productive workforce
- Low unemployment rate
- High living standards
- High level of education and healthcare
- Low crime rates
- Easy transport connections to the whole world
- Visa-free travel to 155 countries
- Residence permits for the whole family
Eligibility and requirements
To apply for a residence permit in Switzerland, applicants must comply with the following requirements:
- Main applicant must be 18 and over.
- Clean criminal record and no breaches of immigration or other laws.
- Good character.
- Relevant qualification and experience.
- Availability of funds if applying as a self-sufficient person.
- Knowledge of the language when applying for citizenship.
Requirements for permanent residence
If a third-party national intends to settle in Switzerland, they can apply for a C-type permanent residence permit. If they do not have family ties to the country, i.e. Swiss spouse, parents, or unless they are of certain nationalities, they can only do that after having continuously lived in the country for 10 years.
Swiss citizenship requirements
Naturalisation applications can be made after 12 years of legal and continuous residence in the country (subject also to cantonal residence requirements). Some residents, by marriage or by birth, can be eligible for the accelerated naturalisation process, without having to wait for 12 years. The applicants must show integration with the Swiss society and the way of life, customs and traditions, be of good character and do not pose risk to national security.
Switzerland allows dual citizenship, so you don’t have to renounce your current nationality.
Switzerland
The alpine country Switzerland is famous for wealth and the country was ranked third best country to live in the world. Switzerland has beautiful landscape, numerous lakes, villages and the high peaks of the Alps. Switzerland is famous for its ski resorts and hiking trails during winter. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and swiss made chocolate are renowned. Bern is the capital of Switzerland. The real estate prices are extremely high in Zurich, Geneva.
Investment Name
- Swiss Residence Program (“Lump sum taxation”)
- Swiss Business Investor Program
Minimum Investment
CHF 200,000 per year
Qualifying Investments
- Swiss Residence Program: Under this program one must pay CHF 200,000 as lump sum tax to the swiss canton where you live. Depending on the canton this amount could go from CHF 400,000 to CHF 600,000 per years. You cannot work under this program
- Swiss Business Investor Program: Non EU nationals must form a new swiss company or invest in an existing swiss company, provided the turnover no less than CHF 1 million
Visa Type:
Swiss C visa or D visa or Residence permit
Residency Requirements
No requirements but if you want PR/Citizenship, you must take up residency in Switzerland
Permanent Residency
After 10 years of living
Swiss Citizenship
After 12 years of uninterrupted living by naturalisation
Dual Citizenship
Allowed
Swiss VAT
8%
Swiss Taxes
In Switzerland the taxes are levied at
- Federal level– by the Federal Constitution.
- Cantonal level – by the canton.
- Municipal level – by the commune, ie. the town you live in.
- Church – tax by members of one of the three national churches (Roman and Christian Catholic, as well as Protestant) in swiss cantons
Golden Visa Switzerland: Requirements & how to get one
Would you like to relocate to Switzerland from a non-EU country? Citizenship can be obtained through the Swiss Residence Program. Anyone from a third country can participate in this investment scheme and travel, work, and study in Switzerland as long as they reside there. Get an overview of the different investment options and how to apply for the Swiss Golden Visa Program.
Foreign investors often use the popular Golden Visa programs in Europe to live, work, and travel visa-free within the Schengen zone. This article explains applying for the Swiss Residence Permit through Swiss company formation or investment.
Are you interested in visiting Switzerland to see if it suits your lifestyle and needs? To comply with visa requirements, apply for a Schengen visa or another short-term visa. If you are unsure which travel document is right for you, please consult our visa checker.
What is the Swiss Residence Program?
Swiss residency is becoming increasingly popular among investors. Switzerland was rated the third-best country to live in the world because of its strong economy and peaceful lifestyle. Additionally, it has beautiful scenery, quaint villages, and high Alps peaks for skiing and hiking. No wonder it attracts people from all over the world.
The Swiss Golden Visa program offers a few different investment options, from lump sum tax contributions to company investments. While Switzerland offers permanent residence status and Swiss citizenship through the scheme, investors will have to live in the country. Compared to other countries, such as Malta or Portugal, the investment requirement is very high, and stringent conditions apply.
Benefits of the Swiss Golden Visa scheme
Golden Visa holders in Switzerland enjoy some unique benefits as an incentive to attract foreign investment. Here are some of the benefits that come with the Swiss Residence program:
- Free to live, work, and study in Switzerland.
- Visa-free travel to other Schengen countries.
- Access to high-quality education and healthcare.
- Your family members can be included in your application.
- Some tax incentives if you are from a country with a double-taxation agreement with Switzerland.
Eligibility criteria for the Swiss Golden Visa
The eligibility criteria for the Swiss Residency by Investment schemes include the following:
- The applicant must be from a non-EU country.
- Older than 18 and younger than 55 years.
- Clean criminal record.
- Must be in good health.
- Legitimate source of income with documents proving this.
- Must rent or own a property in Switzerland.
The application also allows you to include immediate family members, such as your spouse and children (only children under 18 years old). In the event that you include your family in your application, they will also be subject to the same scrutiny.
Investment options for the Swiss Residence Permit
You can obtain Swiss citizenship through investment in two ways:
- Swiss Residence Program through lump sum taxation
- Swiss Business Investor Program
There is currently no investment scheme that enables investors to obtain citizenship through property acquisitions in Switzerland.
Swiss Residence Program through lump sum taxation
This program requires one to pay CHF 200,000 (about USD 203,000) as lump sum tax to the Swiss canton they reside in. This amount could rise to CHF 600,000 annually, depending on the canton. Under this Swiss lump sum taxation program, you are not allowed to work.
Swiss Business Investor Program
This program is slightly more popular as a route to the Swiss passport. The visa holder must form a new Swiss company to create job opportunities or invest in an existing Swiss company, with a minimum of CHF 1 million annually.
How to apply for a Swiss Golden Visa
The whole application process for the Swiss Golden Visa can take up to 5 months if all goes well. The following steps must be followed:
- Choose your investment option: Make your choice between the different investment programs.
- Get approval from Swiss authorities: You must sign several agreements with the Swiss authorities and collect all the necessary documents. A stringent due diligence check will be done on all documents. Once this is done, you can make your chosen minimum investment.
- Apply for visa category D: Upon receiving the Swiss government’s approval, you can apply for a D visa. Swiss law requires you to submit the necessary documents, issue bank statements, obtain a health insurance policy, and provide proof of your clean criminal records.
- Get a Swiss residence permit: Once you have received your D visa, you and the included family members must relocate to Switzerland and switch your visa to a residence permit. You have to work with your Swiss Canton authorities and make your investment (establish a company or pay the necessary tax).
- Apply for permanent residence or Swiss citizenship: You can renew your Swiss temporary residence permit over and over until you get Swiss permanent resident status after 10 years. After 12 years of residing in Switzerland, you can apply for Swiss citizenship.
Switzerland requires you to prove proficiency in one of its official languages and demonstrate your integration into the culture to obtain a Swiss passport.
Documents and requirements for the Swiss Golden Visa application
The following documents and information must be submitted to be eligible for the Swiss Residency Program:
- Completed application form
- Valid passport from a non-EU country
- Proof of financial resources stating how the investment funds were obtained
- Health insurance
- Police clearances to show your clean criminal record
- Proof of relationship with family members, such as birth certificates of children
Costs to apply for the Swiss Golden Visa
While you must make a substantial investment in Switzerland, you should also keep in mind any additional costs to obtain a Swiss residence permit, such as the lump sum taxation fee or minimum business investment needed, legal consultation, medical insurance, and translation of documents.
The exact amount also depends on the individual’s situation, for example, if any family is included in the application and the canton you will reside in.
Application for Swiss citizenship by investment
The initial Swiss residence permit will be temporary, and the applicant must live in the country for at least 10 years before applying for permanent residency. You must live 12 years as a permanent resident to enjoy Swiss citizenship freedom.
As you can read, it can take quite a long time before you and your family to become Swiss citizens. It is only through naturalization by integration into Swiss society. Throughout this period, you will also have to maintain all your investments.
Visit Switzerland
Have you decided to apply for the Swiss Golden Visa or are you doubting between different countries? Take a trip to consult with experts or just to see if the lifestyle suits you. Take into account that as a non-EU national, you will likely need a short-term Schengen visa or ETIAS visa waiver.
