Crown World Mobility’s weekly EMEA update, published on 27 November, provided welcome clarity on two Swiss developments that matter to corporate relocation teams planning 2026 projects.
First, the newsletter reiterates the headline quota figures signed off by the Federal Council the previous evening: 4 500 B-permits and 4 000 L-permits for third-country nationals, plus 500 B and 3 000 L permits reserved for long-term postings of EU/EFTA service-providers. Separate UK quotas of 2 100 B and 1 400 L permits will again be available, mirroring this year’s levels. HR departments with large staffing pipelines can now align recruitment calendars, knowing exactly how many authorisations the cantons will receive.
![Immigration Weekly Bulletin Confirms Swiss 2026 Permit Numbers and Four-Year Extension of UK Services Mobility Deal]()
Second, the bulletin confirms that Bern and London have formally signed a four-year extension of the Services Mobility Agreement (SMA), pushing its expiry date out to 31 December 2029. The SMA allows British professionals to deliver services in Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days per calendar year and offers reciprocal access for Swiss suppliers in the UK. Extending the accord buys negotiators time to fold labour-mobility provisions into the broader free-trade agreement currently under negotiation.
For business travellers the extension eliminates a cliff-edge scenario that had threatened to complicate 2026 project bids, especially in consulting, engineering and financial services. UK staff can continue to travel on short notice without facing labour-market tests or work-permit fees, provided the 90-day threshold is respected. Swiss service-providers gain the same flexibility, preserving cross-border project revenue worth an estimated CHF 2 billion per year.
Crown’s advisory team urges companies to tighten compliance tracking in 2026, noting that spontaneous trips still count towards the 90-day allowance and that cantonal labour inspectors have stepped up audits. Employers are also reminded that stays exceeding 90 days fall under the standard work-permit quota regime and require pre-approval.
First, the newsletter reiterates the headline quota figures signed off by the Federal Council the previous evening: 4 500 B-permits and 4 000 L-permits for third-country nationals, plus 500 B and 3 000 L permits reserved for long-term postings of EU/EFTA service-providers. Separate UK quotas of 2 100 B and 1 400 L permits will again be available, mirroring this year’s levels. HR departments with large staffing pipelines can now align recruitment calendars, knowing exactly how many authorisations the cantons will receive.
Second, the bulletin confirms that Bern and London have formally signed a four-year extension of the Services Mobility Agreement (SMA), pushing its expiry date out to 31 December 2029. The SMA allows British professionals to deliver services in Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days per calendar year and offers reciprocal access for Swiss suppliers in the UK. Extending the accord buys negotiators time to fold labour-mobility provisions into the broader free-trade agreement currently under negotiation.
For business travellers the extension eliminates a cliff-edge scenario that had threatened to complicate 2026 project bids, especially in consulting, engineering and financial services. UK staff can continue to travel on short notice without facing labour-market tests or work-permit fees, provided the 90-day threshold is respected. Swiss service-providers gain the same flexibility, preserving cross-border project revenue worth an estimated CHF 2 billion per year.
Crown’s advisory team urges companies to tighten compliance tracking in 2026, noting that spontaneous trips still count towards the 90-day allowance and that cantonal labour inspectors have stepped up audits. Employers are also reminded that stays exceeding 90 days fall under the standard work-permit quota regime and require pre-approval.
