Non-EU member states (third countries): Self-employment

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In the following cases, third-country nationals do not need a labour market examination/check to take up self-employment:

  • The foreign citizen is in possession of a residence permit (C).
  • The spouse or registered partner is in possession of a residence permit (C)
  • The foreign citizen is married to a Swiss or living in a registered partnership
  • The foreign citizen is married to or living in a registered partnership with an EU-/EFTA member state citizen

Please note

Third-country nationals who do not meet any of the above criteria can submit an application to the Office of Economy and Labour (AWA) to take up self-employment under the following conditions:

  • There is an overall economic interest
  • The required financial and operational resources exist
  • The personal conditions are fulfilled

«If all conditions are fulfilled, you can submit the application with the documents (application for self-employment for third-country nationals, reasoning, business plan (see business plan check-list) etc.) on-line under this link as “local employment, employee, newly arrived/start of job”:

Online application for a work permit for a foreign worker or cross-border services (in German only)

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