An orientation trip for a Switzerland relocation is a short visit made before your employee accepts the assignment. The transferee, and often the partner, sees the city, the neighbourhoods, the schools and the daily routine. The aim is an informed decision, not a completed move.
For your mobility team, the visit reduces the risk of a late withdrawal. It also gives you a clear view of what your policy needs to cover. This page explains what the visit is, who it suits, how to scope it and how the introduction to a specialist relocation company works.
What an orientation visit is, and what it is not
An orientation visit is a planned, time-limited trip. It is sometimes called a look-see or a destination visit. It happens before the assignment is accepted and before the employee relocates.
It is not the move. It does not replace the permit process, the home search or the settling-in support. Those are separate services, and each is described in its own page.
It is also not a legal step. Whether your employee may work in Switzerland depends on the permit regime. There are two main regimes: EU/EFTA nationals and third-country nationals (State Secretariat for Migration, SEM). Check which one applies before you plan the trip, because a business meeting held during the visit may raise its own questions. A specialist can look at your case.
When the visit makes sense
A visit is most useful when the destination is new to the employee. It is less useful for a person who already knows the city well.
Consider it when:
- the transferee has never lived in Switzerland;
- the employee has a partner or children, and their agreement is part of the decision;
- the destination has several plausible locations, for example a lake city and a city near the Alps;
- the assignment is long enough that a wrong choice would be costly;
- your policy offers it as a benefit and you want to use it consistently.
For a short assignment, a video call and a written briefing may be enough. See permit L (short-term) for the shorter assignment profile.
Who decides what
The responsibilities should be written down before the trip. A simple split works well.
| Item | Employer | Transferee |
|---|---|---|
| Decision to offer the visit | Yes | No |
| Scope and itinerary | Agreed with the company | Gives preferences |
| Travel booking | Per your policy | Per your policy |
| Final acceptance of the assignment | After the visit | After the visit |
If you run a lump sum model, state clearly whether the visit sits inside or outside the lump sum. The lump sum or managed page sets out the decision frame. The relocation policy design page covers how to write the benefit into the policy.
Building the itinerary
Keep the programme focused. The employee should leave with answers, not a list of sights.
Neighbourhoods and commuting
The transferee should travel the real commute at the real hour. Ask the specialist to arrange viewings of two or three areas that fit the household profile. Ask them to explain how the municipality (Gemeinde) and the local rental market work.
Housing
A visit is not the time to sign a lease. It is the time to understand how rental files, deposits and agency practice work. Your employee will learn what a home search involves. The home search service page describes the next step. If a gap is expected on arrival, see the temporary housing service.
Schools and childcare
Families should meet the schools they are considering. Public, private and international options differ by canton and by language. The school search service page explains the process, and the school choice guide can help structure the question.
Daily life
Allow time for the practical basics: shops, health care, transport, banking and the language spoken locally. The living in Switzerland as an expatriate page gives the wider picture.
A typical sequence
How the introduction works
Swiss Relocation Agency is an introduction service. It works with leading relocation companies in Switzerland. It does not run the visit itself.
- You submit the request through the form at the bottom of the page.
- The request is reviewed against the destination, the household and the timing.
- According to the need, you are put in touch with the company that fits it.
- You hold a first exchange with that company and agree the scope.
The request relocation support page shows what to include. No price is quoted on this site. Pricing is agreed directly with the company you are introduced to.
Questions to put to the company
- What is included in the visit, and what is left to the employee?
- Can the programme be adapted to a family with children?
- How are the viewings chosen?
- What written summary will your team receive afterwards?
- Which services can follow if the assignment is accepted, such as immigration support or settling-in?
- What is the data handling approach for the household's information?
After the visit
Ask the employee for a short written view within a few days. Compare it with the assumptions in your policy. If the visit raised a point you had not planned for, amend the offer before the assignment is accepted.
If the answer is yes, move to the next phase. The moving to Switzerland checklist and the checklist before departure cover the preparation. If the answer is no, record why. That feedback helps with the next assignment.
Frequently asked questions
What is an orientation visit for a Switzerland relocation?
It is a short trip made before the assignment is accepted. Your employee, and often the family, sees the city, housing, schools and daily life. The purpose is to take an informed decision.
Who should receive an orientation visit?
Employees who have never lived in Switzerland, and those moving with a partner or children, benefit most. It is a policy choice. Many employers offer it only for longer assignments.
Is the visit the same as a home search trip?
No. A home search trip is aimed at finding and securing a home. An orientation visit comes earlier and helps a person decide whether to go at all. The two can be linked if your policy allows.
Does the visit commit the employee to the assignment?
No. The visit takes place before acceptance. Make this clear in writing so that neither side assumes a commitment.
Can the employee work during the visit?
That depends on the nationality and the type of activity. EU/EFTA and third-country nationals follow different regimes. Ask a specialist to review the case before the trip is booked.
Does the visit replace the permit process?
No. A permit process is separate and follows the rules of the regime that applies. The visit does not start it and does not shorten it.
How long should the visit last?
The length depends on the household and the number of areas to see. Keep it short enough to stay focused. The company you are introduced to can propose a programme.
Should the partner and children come?
If their agreement is part of the decision, yes. A family usually wants to see the schools and the neighbourhood. Your policy should state who is covered.
Who pays for the visit?
That is a matter for your policy. Some employers cover travel and the programme. Others use a lump sum. State it before the trip.
How much does an orientation visit cost?
This site does not publish prices. The company you are introduced to will quote the programme directly, based on the scope you agree.
Can Swiss Relocation Agency organise the visit?
No. The service puts you in touch with a relocation company that fits the need. That company runs the visit. See the request at the bottom of the page.
What should we ask for after the visit?
A written summary covering housing, schools, commuting and any open points. Ask the employee for a short personal view as well. Use both to adjust the offer.