For professionals in Switzerland
U.S. immigration for Swiss nationals
Swiss researchers, specialists, and founders are strong candidates for self-petitioned U.S. green cards — and as Swiss nationals, they face none of the per-country backlog that slows the largest sending countries.
What fits
Routes that need no U.S. employer
If you are advancing research, a specialism, or a company in Switzerland and want to live and work in the United States, two routes stand out — the EB-2 National Interest Waiver and the EB-1A. Both let you petition for yourself, with no U.S. employer required.
Why Swiss applicants are well placed
Two things work in your favour. First, Switzerland is not an oversubscribed country, so EB-2 and EB-1 priority dates are generally current for Swiss-born applicants — an approved petition can progress without the multi-year wait that India- or China-born applicants face. Second, Switzerland's strengths in life sciences, finance, precision industry, and university research produce exactly the kind of records these categories reward.
A treaty route for Swiss nationals
Switzerland holds a commerce treaty with the United States, which opens two routes beyond the green card. The E-2 treaty investor visa lets a Swiss national who invests a substantial amount in a U.S. business enter to develop and direct it; the E-1 treaty trader visa is for those carrying on substantial trade between the United States and Switzerland. Both are temporary and renewable rather than permanent residence — but they can be a fast first step, and can be sequenced alongside a green-card plan.
See the E-1 / E-2 treaty route
What Privello handles
- An honest read on which route fits your record
- Framing your work around merit and national importance
- Building the evidence — impact, recognition, and letters
- Drafting the petition and the argument behind it
- Sequencing any temporary status toward the green card
Common profiles
Where it fits in Switzerland
Switzerland's pharma campuses, financial institutions, and research universities turn out exactly the profiles the NIW and EB-1A are built for. What matters is not where you are from, but how clearly your record is presented.
- Pharmaceuticals and life sciences
- Banking and finance
- Precision manufacturing and instrumentation
- Biotech and medical technology
- University research (ETH Zürich, EPFL)
Common questions
Questions Swiss applicants ask
Is there an investor visa for Swiss nationals?
Yes. Switzerland is a U.S. treaty country, so Swiss nationals can use the E-2 treaty investor visa — investing a substantial amount in a U.S. business they develop and direct — and the E-1 treaty trader visa. Both are temporary and renewable rather than permanent residence.
Do Swiss nationals face a green-card backlog?
No. Switzerland is not oversubscribed, so EB-2 and EB-1 priority dates are generally current for Swiss-born applicants — unlike for applicants born in India or China, who can wait years for a visa number.
Do I need a U.S. employer?
No. The EB-2 National Interest Waiver and EB-1A are self-petitioned, so neither a job offer nor a sponsoring employer is required.
I am a researcher — which route fits?
Often the NIW, and the EB-1A where recognition is strong. Publications, citations, and the importance of your work all help build the case.
Begin
Find out which U.S. route fits you
Tell us about your field, your achievements, and your goal. We'll give you a clear, honest read on your realistic options in a first conversation.