When someone wants to live and work in Switzerland, they must demonstrate their ability to integrate into Swiss society. There is no single test for doing this.
Instead, cantons and the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) use the results of a language proficiency test, such as a German A1 certification, interviews, and other information, to determine how well a person is adjusting to their life in Switzerland and if they should be allowed to stay.
What Does It Mean to Be Integrated?
Swiss law defines integration as a foreign national successfully establishing a presence in a Swiss community. To be fully integrated, an applicant needs to prove that they can communicate in a national language, respect Swiss values and laws, and be a part of the local economy, culture, and social life.
Conditions That Need to Be Met
There are a dozen different types of Swiss residency permits with varying conditions that must be met before a person can live and work in Switzerland. The requirements vary depending on whether the applicant is from a European Union (EU) country or a non-EU country, the reason for the stay (e.g., work, study, asylum, or family reunion), length of stay, and the canton where the applicant resides.
Before starting the process, check with your local migration authority about its specific integration requirements. Be prepared for a process that can be lengthy and have many moving parts.
How Applicants Are Tested
In most cases, integration assessments are done at the canton or local municipal level. Their findings are forwarded to SEM, the national authority that ultimately approves or denies visa, residency, and citizenship applications.
There are twenty-six cantons in Switzerland, and each sets its own requirements for residency permits. Some cantons may also require the applicant to take a written and/or oral exam to assess their knowledge and appreciation of the country and its way of life.
Cantons may require that the applicant appear in front of a local assembly where neighbors and community members can vote on the citizenship application. They may also request proof of employment and payment of taxes.
Language Proficiency Explained
People who want to live and work in Switzerland must demonstrate a certain level of proficiency in the language spoken in their community. Applicants can be tested in German, French, or Italian.
Usually, cantons require a minimum level of A2 in reading and writing and B1 in speaking and listening comprehension of everyday situations. However, German cantons tend to have stricter language proficiency requirements.
The levels are based on the internationally recognized Common European Framework of Reference for Languages, or ‘CEFR.’ The examiner will attempt to align the questions with the applicant’s background and situation.
The oral exam takes approximately forty minutes to complete, while the written exam lasts up to one hour. Questions relate to everyday situations such as going to a doctor’s appointment, discussing a problem with a landlord, and other common scenarios. Applicants may also be asked about their understanding of Switzerland’s geography, landmarks, major cities, customs, laws, and traditions.
Many people who want to hone their language skills before taking the exam should look into Swiss integration language courses and how these classes can improve their chances of scoring well on the exams. After passing the language exams, applicants will receive a language passport as proof of their language proficiency for their naturalization, residency, and settlement applications.
Final Thoughts
Because Switzerland is such a desirable place to live, the process for obtaining citizenship is one of the most difficult in the world. The Swiss Federal Office for Migration considers the integration assessment process critical to maintaining Switzerland’s social cohesion and stability.
Check out German Academy Zurich today. We offer a unique language learning program that significantly enhances your chances of passing the required Swiss integration tests and assessments!
