Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) vs Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit
Germany other route: $86 fee, 12 months. Switzerland freelancer route: 12 months.
Built for: Freelancers.
- Income
- $1,223/mo
- Fee
- $86
- Duration
- 12 months
- Duration
- 12 months
- Processing
- 12-12 weeks
Next steps
Germany Opportunity Card
Switzerland Self-Employed Residence
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Side by side
Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte)
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 income, per month
Minimum savings, one time
Minimum investment, one time
Investment types
Application fee, one time
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 | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Visa type | Other | Freelancer |
| Status | Active | Active |
| Initial duration, months | 12 | 12 |
| Renewable | Yes | Yes |
| Built for | Digital nomads, Remote employees, Freelancers | Freelancers |
| Nationality restrictions | Non-EU nationals only | Open to all nationalities |
| Field | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum income, per month | $1,223 | Not specified |
| Minimum savings, one time | $1,223 | Not specified |
| Minimum investment, one time | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Investment types | Not applicable | Not applicable |
| Application fee, one time | $86 | Not specified |
| Field | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Employment types accepted | Not specified | Self-employed |
| Social Security counts as income | No | Not specified |
| Pension income recognized | No | Not specified |
| Local work permitted | No | No |
| Field | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Processing time, minimum (weeks) | Not specified | 12 weeks |
| Processing time, maximum (weeks) | Not specified | 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 | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Leads to permanent residency | Yes | Yes |
| Years to permanent residency | Not specified | 5 years |
| Years to citizenship, PR plus naturalization | Not specified | 15 years |
| Field | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | Switzerland Self-Employed Residence Permit |
|---|---|---|
| Tax regime | Not specified | Worldwide |
| US tax treaty | Not specified | Not specified |
| Field | Germany Opportunity Card (Chancenkarte) | 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 |