UK WORK PERMIT UPDATE 2023-24

UK work permits for ski instructors
 


 

CAN BRITISH TRAINEES
GET SWISS WORK PERMITS?

 


 

Working after your course is a great opportunity and one many of our trainees take advantage of.

But you need to get a work permit – so how will that work?

This is our latest update on the rules if you’re a British passport holder and you want to teach in Switzerland…

(If you’ve got an EU passport click here)

 


 

SO, WHAT’S HAPPENING?

Switzerland and the UK opened trade negotiations a while ago, and today the British Trade Secretary has flown to Switzerland to restart negotiations.

Why is this relevant to permits?

Well, before the UK left the EU, Brits got a Swiss work permit due to an EU-Swiss trade deal.

But once the UK left the EU there was no deal between the UK and Switzerland.

Which meant there was no way to get a permit – not good for ski instructors.

But the new, more advanced talks should not only lead to a trade deal but also a new system for workers rights – and that will mean work permits being available again.

It’s not really a question of if you will be able to get a permit, it’s a question of when and how.

 


 

HOW QUICKLY WILL IT GET AGREED?

Sadly nobody knows. Trade deals are notoriously slow and complex.

They can take years.

But there are good reasons to be optimistic about a relatively quick resolution.

Just a year ago there were big moves to get permits reinstated for Brits in tourism industries, in fact it was so advanced it was rumoured to be announced before Christmas 2022.

But the permit deal got wrapped up in the bigger trade negotiations, so things have been delayed.

 


 

WHERE DOES THAT LEAVE YOU?

If you only hold a UK passport then you cannot currently get a ski instructor work permit in Switzerland.

There is no VISA or Permit that would allow you to work.

Although you can get a Student Permit which doesn’t allow work but does allow a longer stay in Switzerland.

(You can also potentially go across the boarder into Italy and teach in Aosta – more about this soon).

 


 

BUT THINGS CAN CHANGE VERY FAST

We firmly believe that a Swiss deal is on its way.

We simply don’t know when it will get finalised and when permits will be back on the table.

All trade deals are different, but there is definitely pressure on both sides to find a solution for workers moving between the two countries.

So it could potentially be agreed in 2023 or 2024.

And that could mean starting work after you qualify…

We will have to wait and cross our fingers. But you can be certain that as soon as anything changes you’ll find all the information here on our website.