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L Permit - Trainee / Intern (Stagiaire)

Working Holiday Dependents Allowed

At a Glance

Processing Time

4 weeks – 3 months

Estimated Cost

Free

Stay Duration

18 months

Not renewable

Renewal

Not renewable

Family

Dependents allowed

PR Pathway

None

Sponsor

Job offer required

Work

Remote not required

Overview

Professional training permit for vocational or university graduates from partner countries to complete internships in Switzerland for up to 18 months.

The Swiss L Permit (Stagiaire) is a trainee visa for graduates from 15 bilateral partner countries: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, San Marino, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine, and the US. The visa allows recent vocational or university graduates to complete short-term professional training in their field without labor market testing.

The permit authorizes up to 18 months of work and is non-renewable. Processing takes 4–12 weeks; fees vary by canton. Spouses cannot work; dependents are generally not permitted. The trainee must secure a signed internship contract and meet local entry-level salary standards.

This visa is ideal for recent graduates aged 18–35 from bilateral partner nations seeking specialized professional training or internship experience in Switzerland.

Stay & Extensions

Initial grant

1.5 years

Annual Cap & Quota

Subject to bilateral quotas

Eligible Nationalities (15)

Argentina

Australia

Canada

Chile

Indonesia

Japan

Monaco

New Zealand

Philippines Russia

Russia

San Marino

South Africa Tunisia

Tunisia

Ukraine

United States

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country with which Switzerland has a bilateral trainee (Stagiaire) agreement.

Age typically between 18 and 35 years (varies by country).

Must have completed vocational training or a university degree.

The internship must be in the field of the applicant's studies or profession.

The salary must be in line with local and branch standards for entry-level positions.

The internship must be temporary (usually max 18 months).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Signed internship/trainee contract including a training plan.

Proof of completed education (diplomas, certificates).

CV and valid passport.

Application form for the trainee permit.

Proof of financial means (if required).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows young professionals to gain international work experience in Switzerland's competitive market
Simplified approval process with no labor market test required for most trainee agreements
Qualifying nationals from 15 partner countries including US, Canada, Australia, and Japan
Full-time work authorization during the entire training period
Valuable credential and international professional network for career advancement
Direct training pathway aligned with applicant's field of study

Worth Knowing

Limited to nationals of specific partner countries with bilateral trainee agreements
Not renewable beyond the maximum duration of 18 months
Part-time work and self-employment are generally not permitted
The number of trainees per company may be capped (e.g., 5% of the workforce)
Spouse has no work authorization rights — only primary applicant can be employed
Only available to nationals of 15 specific partner countries
No pathway to permanent residency or permit renewal beyond 18 months

Application Process

Secure an internship offer from a Swiss employer.

The employer submits the application to the cantonal migration authority.

The applicant submits the required documentation to the Swiss embassy/consulate in their home country.

Upon approval, the applicant receives authorization to enter Switzerland.

Register with the local commune within 14 days of arrival.

Verified Claims (3)

Last verified Jun 21, 2026

Included Nationalities

AR; AU; CA; CL; ID; JP; MC; NZ; PH; RU; SM; ZA; TN; UA; US

sem.admin.ch

Max Total Years

sem.admin.ch

Spouse Can Work

sem.admin.ch

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Overview

Professional training permit for vocational or university graduates from partner countries to complete internships in Switzerland for up to 18 months.

This visa is ideal for recent graduates aged 18–35 from bilateral partner nations seeking specialized professional training or internship experience in Switzerland.

Requirements

PUBLISHED REQUIREMENTS

Must be a national of a country with which Switzerland has a bilateral trainee (Stagiaire) agreement.

Age typically between 18 and 35 years (varies by country).

Must have completed vocational training or a university degree.

The internship must be in the field of the applicant's studies or profession.

The salary must be in line with local and branch standards for entry-level positions.

The internship must be temporary (usually max 18 months).

KEY CRITERIA

Education

vocational or higher

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS

Signed internship/trainee contract including a training plan.

Proof of completed education (diplomas, certificates).

CV and valid passport.

Application form for the trainee permit.

Proof of financial means (if required).

Advantages & Considerations

Key Benefits

Allows young professionals to gain international work experience in Switzerland's competitive market
Simplified approval process with no labor market test required for most trainee agreements
Qualifying nationals from 15 partner countries including US, Canada, Australia, and Japan
Full-time work authorization during the entire training period
Valuable credential and international professional network for career advancement
Direct training pathway aligned with applicant's field of study

Worth Knowing

Limited to nationals of specific partner countries with bilateral trainee agreements
Not renewable beyond the maximum duration of 18 months
Part-time work and self-employment are generally not permitted
The number of trainees per company may be capped (e.g., 5% of the workforce)
Spouse has no work authorization rights — only primary applicant can be employed
Only available to nationals of 15 specific partner countries
No pathway to permanent residency or permit renewal beyond 18 months

Application Process