Excerpted from the Switzerland Career Guide

Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement, which has made traveling between its European member countries much easier and less bureaucratic; Schengen visa holders can travel to any (or all) member countries using one single visa, thus avoiding the hassle and expense of obtaining individual visas for each country. This is particularly beneficial for persons who wish to visit several European countries on the same trip. The Schengen visa is issued to citizens of countries who are required to obtain a visa before entering Schengen countries: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

Business Visas

A business visa is required to enter Switzerland for all commercial purposes, such as attending business or sales meetings, except for citizens of visa-waiver countries (See the Exemptions section).

Student Visas

Citizens of visa waiver countries (See the Exemptions section) may study in Switzerland for up to 90 days without a visa. In order to study in Switzerland for more than 90 days, a traveler must obtain a student visa and residence permit. As with the work permit process, the Swiss diplomatic mission must wait for approval from the immigration authority in the canton in which the school is located. This process takes at least six to eight weeks.

Work Permits

Switzerland has a dual system for the admission of foreign workers. Gainfully-employed nationals from EU/EFTA States can benefit from agreements on the free movement of persons. Only a limited number of management level employees, specialists and other qualified employees are admitted from all other countries.

The employer submits the relevant application documents to the cantonal employment service. Depending on the case or canton that is competent to examine applications, applications are to be submitted to the migration agency of the given canton. Workers from nations subject to visa requirement are requested to apply for a visa with the local Swiss diplomatic representation abroad.

This is just a sample of what you'll find in the complete Switzerland guide.