Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) vs Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit
Austria freelancer route: $130 fee, 24 months. Switzerland freelancer route: 12 months.
- Austria Self-Employed Residence: about 3 weeks, 9 weeks sooner than Switzerland Self-Employed Residence.
- Austria Self-Employed Residence: PR in 2 years, 3 sooner than Switzerland Self-Employed Residence.
Built for: Freelancers.
- Fee
- $130
- Duration
- 24 months
- Processing
- 3-3 weeks
- Duration
- 12 months
- Processing
- 12-12 weeks
Next steps
Austria Self-Employed Residence
Switzerland Self-Employed Residence
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Side by side
Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route)
Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit
Visa type
Status
Initial duration, months
Renewable
Built for
Nationality restrictions
Processing time, minimum (weeks)
Processing time, maximum (weeks)
Where to apply
Interview required
Medical exam required
Minimum investment, one time
Investment types
Application fee, one time
Income sources accepted
Employment types accepted
Social Security counts as income
Pension income recognized
Local work permitted
Health insurance required
Local bank account required
Apostille required
US FBI background check required
Certificate of coverage required
Required documents
Leads to permanent residency
Years to permanent residency
Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization
Tax regime
US tax treaty
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Freelancer | Freelancer |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Initial duration, months | 24 (Longest initial stay) | 12 |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Freelancers, FIRE | Freelancers |
| Nationality restrictions | Non-EU nationals only | Open to all nationalities |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum investment, one time | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Investment types | Business creation, Capital transfer | Not applicable |
| Application fee, one time | $130 | Not specified |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Income sources accepted | Business income | Not specified |
| Employment types accepted | Self-employed | Self-employed |
| Social Security counts as income | No | Not specified |
| Pension income recognized | No | Not specified |
| Local work permitted | No | No |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, minimum (weeks) | 3 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 12 weeks |
| Processing time, maximum (weeks) | 3 weeks (Fastest known processing) | 12 weeks |
| Where to apply | Not specified | 2 items listedSee where to apply on the visa page |
| Interview required | No | No |
| Medical exam required | No | No |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to permanent residency | Yes | Yes |
| Years to permanent residency | 2 years (Shortest known path to permanent residency) | 5 years |
| Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization | Not specified | 15 years |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Tax regime | Not specified | Worldwide |
| US tax treaty | Not specified | Not specified |
| Field | Austria Self-Employed Residence Permit (Gewerbeschein Route) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Health insurance required | Yes | Yes |
| Local bank account required | No | Not specified |
| Apostille required | No | No |
| US FBI background check required | No | No |
| Certificate of coverage required | No | No |
| Required documents | Not specified | 11 items listedSee full list on the visa page |