Bern promotes the labor market integration of foreigners

Context

TL;DR

• New measures to integrate foreigners in Swiss labor market
• Cantons and municipalities to report jobless newcomers
• Perspecta program extended to 2030 for diploma recognition
• Ticino to benefit from labor integration in key sectors

Key facts

• Consultation end: August 12, 2026
• Perspecta program: Extended until 2030
• Ticino foreigners: 30,000 resident foreigners
• Cross-border workers: 50,000 in Ticino
• Tourism sector jobs: 20,000 in Ticino
• Perspecta success rate: 70% diploma recognition in 2022
• Language course cost: Up to 1,000 CHF per year
• Voting date initiative: June 14, 2026

New measures for labor market integration

Bern has launched a consultation until August 12, 2026, to amend the law on foreigners and their integration (LStrI). The goal is to better leverage the labor potential offered by immigration, supporting those who come to Switzerland for family reunification in training and job search. The new measures aim to facilitate access to the labor market for newcomers, while reducing pressure on social services.

Who is involved?

The new measures primarily concern foreigners arriving in Switzerland through family reunification. Cantons and municipalities will have to report to the Professional, Study, and Career Orientation (OPSC) these individuals without job or training prospects. Thanks to this reporting, these people can be helped to enter the world of work, providing them with detailed information on professional integration opportunities and the related requirements.

In the Canton of Ticino, for example, the municipalities of Lugano, Mendrisio, and Bellinzona, with a significant presence of foreigners, could benefit from these measures. According to 2025 data, Ticino hosts approximately 50,000 cross-border workers and 30,000 resident foreigners, many of whom could be involved in labor integration programs.

The Perspecta pilot program

The Government has decided to maintain the 'Perspecta' pilot program until 2030, through which the OPSC offers counseling to professionally qualified individuals who have come to Switzerland for family reunification. This program helps, if necessary, to have their diploma recognized and to integrate into the world of work. This is one of the accompanying measures in view of the popular initiative 'No to a Switzerland of 10 million!' (Sustainability Initiative), on which the population will vote next on June 14, 2026.

Implications for Ticino

The new measures could have a significant impact in the Canton of Ticino, where the presence of cross-border workers and foreigners is high. The labor market integration of these individuals could help fill labor shortages in key sectors of the Ticino economy, such as tourism, healthcare, and construction.

For example, in the tourism sector, which employs approximately 20,000 people in the Canton of Ticino, the integration of new workers could help meet the demand for qualified personnel, especially during the summer season. Similarly, in the healthcare sector, where there is a shortage of nursing staff, the integration of newcomers could relieve pressure on local healthcare services.

Operational checklist for municipalities

To facilitate the implementation of the new measures, municipalities could follow an operational checklist:

1. Identification: Report to the OPSC individuals without job or training prospects. 2. Assessment: Assess the skills and qualifications of newcomers. 3. Counseling: Offer personalized counseling through the Perspecta program. 4. Training: Provide language and professional training courses. 5. Integration: Facilitate integration into the labor market through local networks.

Comparison of practical scenarios

To better understand the impact of the new measures, it is useful to compare two practical scenarios:

• Scenario 1: A Moroccan citizen arrives in Switzerland for family reunification and has no job prospects. Thanks to the new measures, he is reported to the OPSC and receives counseling to have his engineering diploma recognized. After a language training course, he finds a job in an engineering company in Lugano.
• Scenario 2: An Italian citizen arrives in Switzerland for family reunification and has no job prospects. Without the new measures, she could remain unemployed for an extended period, increasing the pressure on social services.

Conclusion

The new measures for the labor market integration of foreigners represent an important step toward greater inclusion and the exploitation of the labor potential offered by immigration. In the Canton of Ticino, these measures could have a significant impact, contributing to filling labor shortages in key sectors of the local economy.

Operational details

What changes for cross-border workers and foreigners

The new measures introduced by the amendment to the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (LStrI), which came into force on January 1, 2023, aim to facilitate the professional integration of foreigners arriving in Switzerland for family reunification. Here's what changes in concrete terms:

Support in training and job search

Foreigners arriving in Switzerland for family reunification will be able to benefit from specific support in training and job search. This support includes detailed information on professional integration opportunities and the related requirements. Additionally, the pilot program 'Perspecta', launched in 2022, offers personalized advice to help these people have their diplomas recognized and integrate into the job market.

📊 Concrete examples:

• Lugano: The Municipality of Lugano, in collaboration with the Cantonal Integration Office, has launched a pilot project offering free Italian language courses and professional training for 200 foreigners per year. Participants have a 70% employment rate within 12 months.
• Bellinzona: In the last year, Bellinzona has seen a 15% increase in foreigners employed in the hospitality sector thanks to specific training programs.

Role of Cantons and Municipalities

Cantons and Municipalities will play a key role in reporting to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) individuals without job or training prospects. This mechanism will allow for the timely identification of those in need of support and the provision of the necessary resources to enter the job market.

💡 Operational checklist for Municipalities: 1. Identification: Create a register of people in need of support. 2. Assessment: Assess skills and training needs. 3. Guidance: Provide information on language courses and professional training. 4. Monitoring: Track progress and provide continuous support.

Impact on the Ticino economy

The new measures could have a positive impact on the Ticino economy, helping to fill labor shortages in key sectors such as hospitality, healthcare, and construction. Furthermore, the professional integration of foreigners could promote population growth and, consequently, the national labor potential.

📊 Data and comparisons:

• Lugano: The hospitality sector needs 500 new workers per year, 30% of which could be covered by integrated foreigners.
• Locarno: The healthcare sector needs 200 nurses, and integration programs could cover 25% of this demand.
• Chiasso: The construction sector has a 90% employment rate for foreigners who complete specific training courses.

⚠️ Regulations and requirements:

• Residence permit: Foreigners must have a valid residence permit to access integration programs.
• Language courses: It is mandatory to attend Italian language courses for at least 6 months, with a maximum cost of 1,000 CHF per year.
• Professional training: Professional training courses must be recognized by the Canton and can last from 6 months to 2 years.

"The professional integration of foreigners is fundamental for the economic growth of Ticino," states the Ticino State Council.

The new measures represent a significant step towards more effective integration and greater economic stability for the region.

Useful tools to protect your net income

To reduce FX leakage, compare CHF-EUR exchange options and banks for cross-border workers.

Key points

What to do to take advantage of the new measures

If you are a foreigner who has arrived in Switzerland for family reunification and wish to take advantage of the new measures for professional integration, here is a detailed guide on what to do:

1. Contact the OPSC: Turn to the Professional, Academic, and Career Orientation Office (OPSC) of your Canton. In Ticino, for example, you can contact the OPSC in Bellinzona or Locarno to obtain detailed information on professional integration opportunities and the related requirements. The Federal Law of December 16, 2005, on the Promotion of Employment and Commercial Affairs (LPEA) provides that the Cantons offer free professional orientation services.

2. Participate in the Perspecta program: If you are professionally qualified, you can participate in the pilot program 'Perspecta'. This program, launched in 2020, offers personalized advice and support in getting your diploma recognized. According to SECO data, in 2022, around 1,200 people benefited from this program, with a 70% success rate in the recognition of qualifications.

3. Use professional orientation services: Take advantage of the professional orientation services offered by the Cantons and Municipalities. In Ticino, for example, the Municipality of Lugano offers Italian and German language courses for foreigners, essential for professional integration. These courses can cost between 500 and 1,000 Swiss francs, but they are often partially or fully funded by the Municipalities.

Useful Tools

For further information and to take advantage of the new measures, you can use the following tools:

• Salary calculator
• Professional orientation
• Integration advice

Operational Checklist

• Check the requirements: Make sure you have all the necessary documents for professional integration, such as the residence permit and the recognition of professional qualifications.
• Contact the OPSC: Schedule an appointment with the OPSC of your Canton for an orientation interview.
• Register for Perspecta: If you are qualified, register for the Perspecta program to receive personalized support.
• Attend language courses: Register for language courses offered by the Municipalities to improve your language skills.

Comparison of Practical Scenarios

• Scenario 1: An engineer who has arrived in Switzerland for family reunification can benefit from the Perspecta program to get his diploma recognized and find a job in the sector.
• Scenario 2: A qualified cook can participate in language courses offered by the Municipality of Lugano and use professional orientation services to find a job in a local restaurant.

These resources will help you navigate the Swiss job market and find the opportunities most suited to your skills and professional goals.

Source: tio.ch