Services for NGOs

Consult the work permit procedure for nationals of an EU/EFTA country on the website of the Republic and canton of Geneva. Procedures vary depending on the duration of the employment contract.

Forms

All applications must be sent to the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration (OCPM) :

• Cross-border workers must apply online,
• Residents in the canton of Geneva must complete form M.

Depending on the goals they pursue, the languages required or particular specializations, NGOs may have to employ non-European nationals with specific skills. CAGI may be called upon to certify the veracity of the arguments put forward.

Procedure

Applications for work permits for nationals who are not from EU or EFTA countries are subject to specific conditions:

• The employer must demonstrate that it is impossible to find, in the local labour market, anyone with the required skills.  . This means thatthe Swiss and European employment markets must be explored beforehand, in particular by means of advertisements (newspapers, private placement agencies, etc.),
• The position will also have to be advertised online on the Job-Room website for 21 days before submitting an application for a work permit for a non-European national.

A request for a third-country national can only be submitted when the Swiss and European markets have been canvassed without success.

Consult the work permit procedure for third-country nationals on the website of the Republic and canton of Geneva.

Salaries

Any salary paid by an NGO must correspond to Swiss standards for equivalent functions. It cannot be modeled on the salary scales of foreign countries, even if the funds come from countries whose standards are lower. This condition is non-negotiable, especially in the work permit application procedure.

• As a reminder, there is a minimum wage in Geneva of CHF 23,27- per hour, as of 1 January 2022.
• For benchmarking purposes, consult the National Salary Calculator to calculate a gross monthly salary as well as the spread of wages for a specific individual profile.

Form

Any request must be sent by the employer to the Cantonal Population and Migration Office (OCPM) by attaching the M form, fully completed, dated and signed as well as the required documentation as indicated in the form

Depending on your nationality, a visa and other documents may be required to enter Switzerland.

Foreign nationals who need a visa to enter Switzerland should contact the Swiss representation responsible for their place of residence in order to obtain further information.