Moving to Liechtenstein Forums

WORK PERMITS IN LIECHTENSTEIN

Liechtenstein Information — Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:09 am

Author: Liechtenstein Information

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 8:09 am

WORK PERMITS IN LIECHTENSTEIN

Who needs a work permit? And how do you apply for it?

Work permits are usually linked to residency permits. There are different types of residency permit - depending on nationality, type of employment contract, the industry in which you work and demand in the Liechtenstein labour market.

EU citizens

EU citizens now have:

* free choice of residency and employment
* the right to change jobs and employers (job mobility)
* the right to bring their family to Liechtenstein
* a right to work for their family members.

Non-EU citizens

Non-EU-citizens can only get a work permit if their employer proves that they could not fill the respective position with a Liechtenstein or EU citizen. This can become a complex and bureaucratic process for both employer and employee. There are some exceptions to this rule for highly qualified/specialised and/or top executive management positions.

If an employer wants to hire you, he must send you an official offer of employment. If you accept the offer, your employer then applies for a residence permit in the local canton’s police section for foreigners. If a residence permit is approved, your employer sends you a ‘pre-authorisation for a residency permit’ (Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung - Autorisation de Séjour) in addition to your employment contract. On arrival in Liechtenstein, you present this document in the formal application for the actual residency permit.

The process of work permit application can take several months and there are no guarantees that a permit will be issued. An employer might say they will be able to get a permit, but the ultimate decision will be made by the Liechtenstein authorities. The decision on whether or not a permit will be granted depends on a variety of changing criteria such as the type of job, your qualifications, nationality etc. Within the limits prescribed legally, individual cantonal authorities have a large degree of freedom, so the ultimate decision could depend on the mood an official is in when your application is examined.

Employees of international organizations

Employees of international organizations don’t need a Liechtenstein work permit (if the United Nations would have to go through the nightmare of permit approval for every employee, it would probably immediately move to another country). Instead of a work permit, a special identity card (Identitätskarte - Carte de Légitimation) is issued. Holders enjoy preferential treatment in customs, for immigration and for housing.

RESIDENCE VISA IN LIECHTENSTEIN

Liechtenstein Information — Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:49 am

Author: Liechtenstein Information

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 6:49 am

RESIDENCE VISA IN LIECHTENSTEIN

Regulations for EU-citizens and Non-EU-nationals

If you want to live or work in Liechtenstein, you will probably need a residence permit. Regulations depend on your country of origin and other factors.

Eventually, EU-citizens will have complete freedom of movement within Liechtenstein and vice versa.

However, during a transitional period until 31 May 2007, Liechtenstein can and probably will continue to allocate work permits according to quotas. On 1 June 2007, all quotas for EU citizens desiring to work in Liechtenstein will be suspended (but Liechtenstein retains the right to reintroduce quotas until 2012 if immigration becomes unexpectedly high).

For EU-citizens, this means that until 2007 you still need a residence permit and a work permit, and you are still subject to the quota system. However, the procedure for delivering these official documents has been simplified.

New EU Residency and Work Permits

The bilateral agreement on the free movement of persons provides for short-term residency permits (up to 364 days) and five-year residency permits.

1) Short-term residency permit (L-EC/EFTA)
Short-term residency permits L (Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) are issued to employees with fixed-term employment contracts for less than 12 months and, in many cases, to ‘non-active persons’ (i.e. students and pensioners).

If you are going to work, your employer should make a request for a short-term residence permit to the cantonal labour market authorities. You will receive a short-term residence permit valid for the duration of your employment contract.

On presentation of a new employment contract, you can apply for a new short-term residency permit. This can be done without leaving Liechtenstein. If your employment continues or you find a new job after the first year, the short-term permit can be renewed.

Note that an L-EC permit gives you the right to bring your family to Liechtenstein.

(2) B residency permit (B-EC/EFTA)
If you have a fixed-term employment contract for a year or longer or permanent contract in Liechtenstein, you can obtain a B permit, which is valid for five years. (Dauer-Aufenthaltsbewilligung EG/permis de séjour). The B-EC permit guarantees professional and geographical mobility, allowing you to get a new job, change your place of work or become self-employed.

To obtain this permit, you need to take the same steps for obtaining a short-term residency permit (see above). On presentation of an employment contract for a year or longer, your residency permit will be extended for a further five year period. The extension may, however, be limited to a year if you have been unemployed, against your will, for more than twelve months in succession.

(3) Settlement C permit (C-EC/EFTA)
After having lived in Liechtenstein for 5 years, your B permit will be converted into a C permit (Niederlassungsbewilligung EG/permis d’établissement C). This permit gives unrestricted access to the labour market. You don’t require permission to change jobs, your canton of residence or work or to set up your own business. The C permit can be renewed every 5 years indefinitely.

(4) Border crossing G permit (G-EC/EFTA)
A G permit (Grenzgängerbewilligung, permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Liechtenstein. There are many people commuting to Liechtenstein for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Liechtenstein.

Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to residential rights in Liechtenstein. A G permit cannot be converted into a residential permit.

Since 2002, there have been some changes in the border zone restrictions for G permits:

* Residence for a period of six months in the cross-border region is no longer required.
* All EU citizens now have access to the cross-border commuter status (which is no longer exclusively available to nationals from neighbouring countries to Liechtenstein).
* You do not have to return home on a daily basis but only once a week. This makes it possible to stay in Liechtenstein from Monday to Friday and only go abroad during weekends.
* If you have an employment contract for at least a year, you will receive a cross−border commuter permit for five years instead of one year.
* You now also have the possibility to set up your own business in Liechtenstein.
* In connection with your work, you are allowed to acquire a second home as well as work space in Liechtenstein.

Self-employment

Your status as a European citizen, theoretically gives you the right to settle in Liechtenstein and to set up your own business, provided that you do so assuming full responsibility and at your own risk. Regulations are different depending on whether you have an L or a B permit. For more information, go to the website of the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration.

If you are looking for work in Liechtenstein

If you are looking for work in Liechtenstein, you do not need a residence permit for a stay up to 3 months long. If your job search lasts longer than three months (or if you are exporting your unemployment benefits), you have to apply to your commune of stay for a residence permit, which is valid for another three months period, for the purpose of looking for work. These permits are not subject to quotas.

Non-EU residents

Since the Liechtenstein-EU bilateral agreement for free labour movement, non-EU-citizens can only get a Liechtenstein work permit if their future employer proves there is no Liechtenstein or EU national available to do the job.

However, there are exceptions to this rule for highly qualified specialists and top executives. If you do get a work permit, this will usually be defined in your residence permit.

The types of residence permits for non-EU citizens are very similar to the permits given out to EU nationals, only that they are harder obtain and to renew.

(1) Short-term residence permit (L-Permit)
A short-term residence permit L ( Kurzaufenthaltsbewilligung EG) is valid for up to one year and can be renewed. It is linked to a specific job and company and you may not be granted a new permit if you change jobs. After 24 months the residence permit ends definitively.

(2) B residence permit (B-Permit)
A B-Permit is normally valid for one year and can be renewed. To Non-EU-nationals, it is only issued in specific circumstances (i.e. if you’re a highly trained specialist in a profession where there’s currently a shortage of qualified people from Liechtenstein or the EU).

(3) Settlement C permit (C-Permit)
A C-Permit is given out for permanent residency in Liechtenstein and can be renewed indefinitely. To Non-EU-citizens, it is normally only given out after 10 years of residency in Liechtenstein. There are some exceptions for spouses of Liechtenstein citizens and other groups. The C-Permit allows you to freely change jobs, employers and/or become self-employed.

(4) Border crossing G permit (G-Permit)
A G permit ( Grenzgängerbewilligung/permis frontalier) is issued to people living in another country but working in Liechtenstein. There are many people commuting to Liechtenstein for work, as the cost of living in neighbouring countries is significantly lower than in Liechtenstein. Unlike L, B and C permits, a G permit doesn’t entitle you to any residential rights in Liechtenstein. A G permit is renewed annually and cannot be converted into a residential permit.

VISA TO LIECHTENSTEIN

Liechtenstein Information — Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:13 am

Author: Liechtenstein Information

Posted: Fri Oct 13, 2006 5:13 am

VISA TO LIECHTENSTEIN

Which permits do you need to live in Liechtenstein?

If you come to visit, live or work in Liechtenstein, you might be required to obtain a visa, residence permit and/or work permit.

Whatever you need, be prepared to spend a lot of time assembling your documentation and waiting for responses. Since some permits have to be applied for from your home country, you should start this process well in advance of your move to Liechtenstein.

For many foreigners, Liechtenstein's immigration laws are complex and confusing as they are closely link to Switzerland's. In this section, we give an overview of the most important legal aspects and application procedures to consider. As this is a complex subject, we cannot provide detailed information about every regulation or different personal circumstances. Nevertheless, this guide should help get you started and move in the right direction.

If you’re not familiar with European politics, Liechtenstein is one of the few European states that is not part of the European Union. However, in 2002 a bilateral agreement with the EU has changed considerably the laws on work and residency permits. In reality, this means things are now easier for EU-citizens and more difficult for citizens from other countries.

When coming to Liechtenstein, you will probably need some or all of the following documents and registrations:

1. Visas: EU citizens and some other nationalities don’t need a visa for visits to Liechtenstein. If you do need a visa, you have to apply for it in your home country (visas are never issued in Liechtenstein). This is also the case if you later apply for a residency permit in Liechtenstein.

2. Residence permits: Foreigners living in Liechtenstein receive a residence permit (Aufenthaltsbewilligung/autorisation de séjour), which is issued in a plastic cover printed with ‘foreigners permit’ (Ausländerausweis/livret pour étrangers). There are different types of residence permits according to length of stay, status (i.e. student or work permits) and other rights.EU citizens can look for work in Liechtenstein for up to three months without a residence permit. Non-EU nationals are required to obtain pre-authorisation for a residency permit (Zusicherung der Aufenthaltsbewilligung/assurance d’autorisation de séjour) before coming to Liechtenstein. This documents states that you will receive a residency permit after arrival. You need to apply for pre-authorisation before coming to Liechtenstein and applying for the actual residence permit.

3. Residence registration: Within 8 days of arrival in Liechtenstein and before starting to work, you must register (anmelden/s’inscrire) in the local town hall (Gemeinde/commune) where you’re living. Residency registration is obligatory for both foreigners and locals. If you get a residence permit, the commune will pass on your documents to the cantonal authorities who will process your request and send you your permit.

Preparing your trip

Be prepared to be asked for many of the below. When still at home you should prepare and obtain:

* a passport valid for the entire period to be spent in Liechtenstein
* a healthy supply of passport-size photographs
* For professionals, an employment contract or job offer letter
* For non-EU citizens, your pre-authorisation for a residency permit
* proof of financial resources
* visa (not a tourist visa), if applicable
* originals and certified (!) translations of your birth certificate, secondary school leaving certificate
* marriage certificates and birth certificates of all your family members (if applicable)
* possibly your academic qualifications and your insurance documents. Certifications abroad can be obtained at Liechtenstein diplomatic and consular missions
* possibly confirmation of health insurance cover in your home country
* book of vaccination certificates, if you have one. Check at the nearest Liechtenstein missions whether you need any vaccinations
* possibly an international driving license