Swiss employers received welcome continuity after the Federal Council decided on 19 November to roll over the current numerical ceilings for hiring professionals from outside the EU/EFTA for the 2026 calendar year. The confirmation, published on 21 November, reserves 4,500 B-residence permits and 4,000 L-short-term permits for highly skilled third-country nationals. A separate envelope of 3,000 L and 500 B permits remains earmarked for EU/EFTA service providers on assignments exceeding 120 days, while UK nationals keep their bespoke quota under the post-Brexit Services Mobility Agreement.
Federal statistics show that only 52 % of the third-country quota and 38 % of the service-provider quota had been used by end-September 2025. Nevertheless, cantonal migration offices in Zurich, Vaud and Zug note that premium-tax and fintech employers often exhaust local allocations early in the year. Mobility teams are therefore urged to submit applications as soon as contracts are signed, especially for Q1 arrivals.
![Federal Council Leaves 2026 Non-EU Hiring Quotas Unchanged—8,500 Permits Up for Grabs]()
Because salary thresholds, labour-market tests and documentary requirements remain unchanged, HR departments can largely copy-paste their 2025 workflows. However, Bern hinted that digital filing via the EasyGov portal will become mandatory for large employers in 2026—a move expected to cut processing times by 20 %.
For global programmes the decision removes the risk of a last-minute quota squeeze and allows budgeting of relocation packages with confidence. Companies that have under-used their 2025 allocations should remember that unused places cannot be carried over into the new year.
Federal statistics show that only 52 % of the third-country quota and 38 % of the service-provider quota had been used by end-September 2025. Nevertheless, cantonal migration offices in Zurich, Vaud and Zug note that premium-tax and fintech employers often exhaust local allocations early in the year. Mobility teams are therefore urged to submit applications as soon as contracts are signed, especially for Q1 arrivals.
Because salary thresholds, labour-market tests and documentary requirements remain unchanged, HR departments can largely copy-paste their 2025 workflows. However, Bern hinted that digital filing via the EasyGov portal will become mandatory for large employers in 2026—a move expected to cut processing times by 20 %.
For global programmes the decision removes the risk of a last-minute quota squeeze and allows budgeting of relocation packages with confidence. Companies that have under-used their 2025 allocations should remember that unused places cannot be carried over into the new year.
