You are a licensed pharmacist from India looking to become a registered pharmacist in Switzerland.
Not much information is available about this process as there is an anti-immigration sentiment within the governing bodies of Switzerland. In 2015, the Swiss government reduced the number of work permits available for non-EU nationals.
The first point of call would be to figure out whether you can obtain a work permitNon-EU/EFTA citizens (such as Indian pharmacists) will need to get a special residence permit with authorisation to work in Switzerland. This usually comes if you have been offered a job in Switzerland already, once you have found employment, the employer then seeks authorisation for a work visa on your behalf. There are three types of work permits you can obtain in Switzerland:
- Permit L – short term for up to one year.
- Permit B – short term, usually a year but can be extended.
- Permit C – settlement permit for those who have lived in Switzerland for at least 10 years.
Thesecond point of call would be to check whether your foreign degree is recognised. This process is performed by the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) they can be contacted via:
- Web site: www.bag.admin.ch
- email: MEBEKO-Ausbildung@bag.admin.ch
The organisation will require thatyou should have all important papers translated into one of the national languages or Switzerland, in some cases these translations may need to be notarized. Only submit copies of originals, never the originals themselves. Even though the exact requirements depend on your profession and types of qualification, you will probably need some or all of the following documents:
- application form – correctly and fully completed
- copy of passport or ID card
- diploma
- proof of professional experience
- a character reference, health certificate, certificate of good conduct
- proof of solvency (this would be the form of a recent bank statement)
