Services mobility agreement secured between the UK and Switzerland

IMPACT – HIGH

The U.K. and Switzerland have secured an agreement on services that maintains high-quality access for U.K. services suppliers to the Swiss market, allowing certain U.K. professionals to travel and work freely in Switzerland visa-free for up to 90 days a year. The agreement also reciprocally allows eligible Swiss service suppliers to execute contracts in the U.K. visa-free for a period not exceeding 90 days per calendar year.

Key Points:

• The initial agreement will last for two years to continue immediately after the transition period, starting from Jan. 1, 2021.
• This route will allow U.K. professionals and other service workers to travel freely to Switzerland and work visa-free for up to 90 days per calendar year.
• U.K. professionals under this route will be able to do business as they do now and not face economic interest tests, work permits or lengthy processing times for the first 90 days.
• Service providers from Switzerland, including eligible employers, companies or self-employed individuals will be able to execute contracts in the U.K. for a period not exceeding 90 days per calendar year. The U.K. Immigration Rules surrounding the agreement can be found here.
• This route does not allow for dependents to accompany or join the Service Provider from Switzerland in the U.K.

Analysis & Comments: The agreement between the U.K. and Switzerland is positive news as it will allow certain professionals and other services workers to continue traveling freely between the U.K. and Switzerland to work-visa free for up to 90 days a year. This gives businesses flexibility on conducting business or providing services between Switzerland and the U.K. without the costs and time delays that would otherwise be applicable if an individual would require a Working visa for either country.

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