If you are planning a move to Switzerland from Saudi Arabia, the first thing to know is that your passport matters more than the country you leave. Switzerland does not sort newcomers by where they live today. It sorts them by nationality, and then by the reason for the move: a job, a family link, studies, or retirement.
Many people in Saudi Arabia are expatriates from the UK, the US, India, Canada, Australia and many other countries. Others are Saudi nationals. The steps below work for all of them, and we point out where the route changes.
Start with your passport: two routes into Switzerland
Swiss rules, based on the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act and on the agreement on the free movement of persons with the EU, define two regimes: one for EU/EFTA nationals and one for nationals of all other countries, called third countries (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM).
- EU/EFTA passport holders use the free movement route. There is no quota, and a job offer or proof of means is the usual starting point.
- Everyone else, including most readers who currently live in Saudi Arabia on a UK, US, Indian, Canadian or Saudi passport, goes through the third-country route. This route is selective and works with annual quotas.
The table is a simplification. The authorities grant permits, not this site, and the cantonal migration office decides how the rules apply to a given file.
What the quotas mean for a third-country move
If you need a work permit and you do not hold an EU/EFTA passport, the number of permits available each year is limited. For 2026 the Federal Council set the maximum at up to 8,500 skilled workers and specialists from third countries, made up of 4,500 B permits (residence permits) and 4,000 L permits (short-term permits), unchanged from 2025 (SEM).
UK nationals have their own allocation after Brexit: 3,500 permits, split into 2,100 B and 1,400 L (SEM). The cantons then share out their part of these numbers. These figures change from year to year, so ask the cantonal office or a specialist for the current situation when your move gets close.
In practice this is why the employer usually leads the process. A Swiss company must show why it needs the person, and the canton checks the file before it goes further. If you want a quick picture of your own route, the permit finder takes you through a few questions, and a specialist can then look at the details.
Before you leave Saudi Arabia: the preparation list
Most of the work happens at home, and the order matters. Think of it in three layers.
Layer one: papers
Gather originals and certified copies of documents that Swiss offices will ask for: passports, birth and marriage certificates, school records, diplomas, and an employment contract or offer. Some documents may need an official translation or a legalization stamp. Ask the Swiss authority in charge which form it accepts before you pay for stamps.
Layer two: housing and money
Swiss landlords and agencies (régies) look for proof that you can pay the rent. They often ask for an extract from the debt collection register, which people arriving from abroad usually cannot provide. Start the conversation early and look at the rental file check to see what a complete file looks like. Rental deposits are usually paid into a blocked account (Mietzinsdepot), so plan your cash for the first weeks.
Layer three: health and tax
Health insurance in Switzerland is private but mandatory. The basic cover is called LAMal in French and KVG in German. If your employer in Saudi Arabia gave you cover, that cover usually ends when you leave, so you cannot count on it in Switzerland. Taxes also work differently: Swiss tax is set by the Confederation, the canton and the municipality. Explain your situation to a tax adviser before you leave, and keep records of your income and assets for the last year you spent in Saudi Arabia.
A simple timeline for the move
You can build the same plan around your own dates with the relocation calendar, and turn it into your own list with the personal checklist.
What changes in daily life
Switzerland is a small, regulated country, and administration is part of daily life. Three things surprise newcomers from Saudi Arabia most.
- Registration comes first. You report your arrival to your municipality, and many other steps rely on that registration.
- Housing is rented for the long term. Most people rent, leases are long, and moving out follows rules on notice periods.
- Services depend on the canton. Schools, taxes and the rules for cars are cantonal or local. The same question can have a different answer in Zurich than in Geneva or Lucerne.
If you are still deciding where to live, the city comparator helps you look at several places side by side.
Moving with family
Example (fictional): a couple with two children, living in Riyadh and holding a UK passport, receive a job offer from a Zurich employer. The employer starts the permit file, and the couple chooses a school type and starts a housing search from home. They arrive together once the permit is granted, register with the municipality, and sort out insurance in their first weeks.
Family members of a permit holder can usually join, but conditions apply and they depend on the permit. Schooling is also a major decision: public schools teach in the local language, while international schools use English and have their own admission steps. The school finder explains the options, and the page on moving with a pet covers the rules for dogs, cats and ferrets.
If you are moving for a job
When a Swiss employer sponsors the move, read what to do when you have a Swiss job offer. The employer handles part of the file, but you still prepare the documents, the housing and the family plan. If you are moving with an international assignment, ask whether the employer supports housing search, school search and registration.
Where Relocation Swiss fits in
This site connects you with relocation companies in Switzerland. Depending on your request, we put you in touch with the one that fits your need, whether it is permits, housing, schooling or the first weeks. You can read about immigration support first. When you are ready, the request form takes a few minutes, and a specialist then looks at your case.
Other readers with a similar starting point may find the pages for people moving from the UAE, Singapore or Japan useful for comparison.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to move to Switzerland from Saudi Arabia?
It depends on your nationality and your reason for the move. Some nationalities need an entry visa before they travel, and others need a residence permit after they arrive. The cantonal migration office or a specialist can tell you which applies to your passport.
Is the process different for Saudi nationals and for expatriates?
The route depends on nationality, not on where you live now. A Saudi national and a US citizen living in Riyadh both go through the third-country route. A UK, Indian or Canadian expatriate does as well, while an EU or EFTA passport holder follows free movement.
Can I look for a job from Saudi Arabia?
Yes, many people do. The difficult part for third-country nationals is that Swiss employers must show the need for the hire, and quotas apply. A job offer is the usual starting point for a permit application.
How many work permits are there each year?
For 2026, up to 8,500 permits for third-country skilled workers and specialists: 4,500 B and 4,000 L (SEM). UK nationals have a separate allocation of 3,500. The cantons divide their share, and later years may differ.
Who applies for the permit, me or my employer?
For most third-country moves, the employer applies to the canton first. You provide documents and details. Your own situation, such as family or studies, can lead to a different process.
Can my spouse and children come with me?
Family members can usually join the permit holder, under conditions that depend on the permit and the nationality. The cantonal office checks each file. Plan the family steps from the start, including school and housing.
Will my Saudi health insurance work in Switzerland?
You should not count on it. Swiss basic health insurance (LAMal/KVG) is mandatory for residents, and you choose an insurer after you register. Ask your current insurer what happens to your cover when you leave.
How does Swiss tax compare with what I pay now?
Tax systems differ a lot between countries. In Switzerland, the Confederation, the canton and the municipality each tax residents. A tax specialist can look at your own case before you leave.
Can I rent a home before I arrive?
Often yes, but it is harder from abroad. Landlords ask for proof of income, a permit or a contract, and sometimes a debt collection extract. Start early and prepare a complete file.
What is the first thing to do after I arrive?
Register with your municipality (Gemeinde). That registration opens the door to the other steps, such as insurance, the bank account and school enrolment. Bring the originals of your documents.
Which language will I need?
It depends on the region. German is spoken in most of the country, French in the west and Italian in the south. English works in international workplaces, but daily life in the municipality uses the local language.
What can I do from home to make the arrival easier?
Gather and translate your documents, build the rental file, ask your employer about support, and plan the school choice. A checklist keeps all these tasks in one place.
Do you guarantee a result?
No. The authorities decide on permits, and this site does not make decisions for them. We connect you with a relocation company so a specialist can explain what is possible for you.
Where can I ask more questions?
You can browse the questions and answers on this site, or send a request using the form at the bottom of the page.