Moving to Switzerland from Japan: HR transfer guide

Moving to Switzerland from Japan is an admission procedure, not a simple registration. Japan is neither an EU nor an EFTA state. Your transferee therefore falls under the rules for third-country nationals. The employer leads the process, and the Swiss authorities decide.

This page is written for the HR or mobility manager. It explains what changes compared with a move inside Europe, what to prepare in Japan, and what awaits your employee on arrival.

Why Japan sits in the third-country category

Switzerland applies free movement of persons to EU and EFTA citizens. Nationals of other countries, including Japan, are admitted under the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (LEI/AIG) and its ordinance. Admission is selective. It depends on the job, the qualifications and the employer's recruitment efforts.

In practice, this means three things for your policy:

The permit is requested by the employer, usually before the employee travels.
The role must fit the categories the authorities admit, typically managers, specialists and other qualified staff.
Annual quotas can limit the number of permits, whatever the quality of the file.

The permit finder gives a first orientation. A specialist then examines the individual situation through the request at the bottom of the page.

Quotas: what is known for 2026

Switzerland sets annual maximum numbers for third-country workers. For 2026, the Federal Council kept the same figures as in 2025, effective 1 January 2026. Up to 8,500 qualified workers and specialists may be admitted, made up of 4,500 B permits (residence) and 4,000 L permits (short-term), according to the Federal Council communiqué. Cantons then distribute their share, as the Canton of Zurich explains.

Two consequences for planning:

A quota can be exhausted in a given canton later in the year. Do not leave the filing to the last minute.
Figures for the following year are published in November. Ask your adviser whether a start date near the turn of the year changes anything.

The employer's sequence

Treat the move as a sequence of decisions with owners. The diagram below shows the order most programmes follow.

From Japan to a Swiss start date

The exact requirements depend on the canton and on the assignment type. Intra-company transfers, local hires and secondments are not treated identically. The immigration support service is the usual route for a case review.

What to prepare in Japan

Start with documents, because originals take time to obtain.

Civil status documents. Marriage and birth certificates are often requested for family members. Ask whether translation and an apostille (a certification of authenticity) are required.
Diplomas and employment history. The authorities may want evidence that the person is qualified for the role.
Passport validity. Check that every passport covers the intended stay.
Japanese pension and tax exit. Your payroll and tax advisers should confirm what happens to the Japanese social security position and the tax residence. This page does not give tax advice.
Household goods. Decide early what is shipped and what is left behind. Customs rules differ for a first-time import.

The relocation calendar helps sequence these tasks around a start date.

What changes compared with Japan

Health insurance

Switzerland has a compulsory basic health insurance system (LAMal/KVG). It is individual: each family member needs a policy, and premiums are not deducted automatically by the employer. Japanese transferees are used to a national scheme tied to employment or residence. Explain the difference in your assignment briefing and state clearly what the company covers.

Taxes

Residents are taxed at federal, cantonal and communal level. Foreign nationals without a settlement permit are generally taxed at source, which means the employer withholds the tax. Rates vary by canton. This is why the choice of canton matters for the net outcome of your policy.

Housing

Renting is the norm. Landlords and agencies (régies) ask for a full file, and a rent deposit is usual. Many transferees cannot visit before the move, so decide whether your policy includes remote search or a look-and-see trip. The home search service and the rental file checker address this stage.

Administration

Registration is made with the municipality (Gemeinde/commune) after arrival. The permit is then issued by the cantonal migration office. Procedures and language differ between cantons, so confirm the arrangements for the canton of destination. Zürich is a frequent choice; see relocating employees to Zürich.

Family members and reunification

Many assignments from Japan involve a spouse and children. For third-country nationals, family reunification covers the spouse and unmarried children under 18. The application must be made within five years. For children over 12, the period is twelve months, under article 47 LEI, as set out in the cantonal guidance. A late request requires major family reasons.

For holders of a B permit, reunification is at the discretion of the authority under article 44 LEI. It is not an automatic right. Conditions on housing and means may apply, so ask the cantonal office what it will require. The page on permits for spouses and children covers the detail.

Plan the family timeline with your employee from the start. Do not assume that everyone arrives together.

Schooling

Families arriving from Japan usually choose between the local public school and an international school. Public schools teach in the local language of the canton. International schools teach mainly in English and sometimes follow an international curriculum. The right choice depends on the child's age, language and expected length of stay. Admission calendars and places vary, so begin the search before the permit is issued. The school choice guide compares the options.

Japanese families may also ask about supplementary Japanese-language schooling. Availability varies by region; ask a specialist rather than assume.

First weeks on the ground

The first weeks decide whether the assignee settles well. Typical tasks:

Register with the municipality and collect the permit
Take out basic health insurance for each family member
Sign the lease and conduct the handover inspection
Open a bank account and arrange payroll details
Enrol children at school
Arrange household liability insurance

The settling-in service and the wider relocation services in Switzerland cover these steps. Compare with the neighbouring Asian corridor in transfers from China if your programme covers several origins.

Employer checklist

Confirm the role fits an admitted category.
Choose the canton with tax, housing and school in mind.
Start documents in Japan before the filing.
Set a family timeline separate from the employee's.
Define in the policy what is paid, advanced or left to the employee.

Frequently asked questions

Does a Japanese employee need a work permit for Switzerland?

Yes. Japanese nationals are third-country nationals and need an authorisation to work and reside. The employer normally files the request before the employee starts. The cantonal authority examines it, and the federal level may also review it.

Is there a quota for Japanese nationals?

Third-country workers are subject to annual maximum numbers. For 2026, the Federal Council set up to 8,500 for qualified workers and specialists, with 4,500 B and 4,000 L permits (Federal Council). Cantons share them out.

Can the employee start work before the permit arrives?

Generally no. Work should begin only when the authorities have granted the authorisation. Your adviser can tell you how the canton handles entry and the start date.

Does the employee need an entry visa?

It depends on the nationality, the purpose and the length of stay. The authorities and the Swiss representation will confirm what applies. Check this early so that travel plans do not run ahead of the process.

Can the spouse and children join?

Family reunification is possible for the spouse and unmarried children under 18 of third-country nationals, subject to conditions. The request must be made within five years, or twelve months for children over 12 (cantonal guidance).

Can the spouse work in Switzerland?

This depends on the permit category and on the authorisation granted. Do not promise it in the policy. A specialist can check what applies to the household.

Is health insurance compulsory?

Yes. Basic health insurance is compulsory for residents, and each person needs a policy. Confirm with the insurer or adviser when cover must start after registration.

Who pays tax, and where?

Tax residence follows the place of residence. Foreign nationals without a settlement permit are generally taxed at source. Your tax adviser should review both the Japanese and the Swiss position.

Is it easy to find housing from Japan?

It is demanding. Rental files are detailed and the market is competitive in cities. Many employers include remote support or a short visit before the move. The rental file checker can help prepare documents.

Which canton is best for a transferee from Japan?

There is no single answer. Tax, housing, language, school options and commute all matter. Compare locations with the city comparator and ask a specialist to examine the assignment.

Do Japanese documents need translation or an apostille?

Often, yes, for civil status documents and diplomas. The cantonal office states what format it accepts. Ask before ordering documents so that they are not issued twice.

How do we ask for help with a Japan transfer?

Use the request at the bottom of the page, or go straight to the request page. Describe the assignment, and a specialist from the relocation network is matched to the need.

Transferring employees from Japan to Switzerland: permits, schooling and settling-in