Farm Jobs in Switzerland with Visa Sponsorship for Foreigner

Farm Jobs in Switzerland

Office skyscrapers aren’t where all dreams begin. Sometimes they start with early morning dew on your boots, green valleys, and clean mountain air.

Switzerland’s agricultural industry is still providing options for visa sponsorship to foreign farm laborers in 2025. Farm employment in Switzerland may be the opportunity you’ve been waiting for, regardless of your goals: making money in Swiss francs, experiencing the tranquil countryside, or creating a better future.

Indeed, you may apply online from your native country for a lot of these positions. Let’s dissect everything: what kinds of employment are open, who is eligible to apply, how much do they pay, and how to begin.

Why Switzerland Needs Foreign Farm Workers

Switzerland is renowned for its quality, accuracy, and, of course, its fresh vegetables, cheese, and milk. However, behind the scenes, farms all around the nation struggle to fill full-time and seasonal positions with adequate local workers.

Here’s where you can help.

Swiss farms use thousands of foreign workers annually, particularly during the planting and harvesting seasons. Due to a lack of workers and a rise in food exports, this demand will be much greater in 2025.

Read Also: Visa Sponsorship Egg Packing Jobs in Switzerland

What Kind of Farm Jobs Are Available?

1. Fruit & Vegetable Picking

  • Seasonal work depending on region (spring–autumn)
  • Tasks include:
    • Picking apples, berries, cucumbers, tomatoes, lettuce, etc.
    • Sorting and packing produce
    • Working in orchards, open fields, or tunnels

2. Dairy Farming

  • Year-round positions, more common in alpine regions
  • Tasks include:
    • Milking cows (manual or machine)
    • Feeding livestock and cleaning stalls
    • Assisting in cheese production (in mountain farms)

3. Vineyard Work

  • Mostly available in western Switzerland (Vaud, Valais)
  • Tasks include:
    • Picking grapes
    • Pruning vines
    • Sorting grapes for wine production

4. Livestock Care

  • For farms raising pigs, sheep, goats, or poultry
  • Tasks include:
    • Feeding animals
    • Cleaning shelters
    • Monitoring health and well-being

5. Greenhouse Jobs

  • Available in urban-fringe farms or vegetable-producing regions
  • Tasks include:
    • Seeding, transplanting, and harvesting
    • Labeling and packing
    • Managing temperature and watering systems

6. Farm Maintenance

  • Year-round or short-term, depending on farm size
  • Tasks include:
    • Fixing fences and gates
    • Cleaning machinery
    • Basic construction or mechanical work

Who Can Apply?

If you fulfill the following requirements, you can usually apply for farm jobs in Switzerland with a sponsored visa:

1. Age Requirement

  • Must be in the age range of 20 to 50.
  • Depending on expertise and health, some farms may accept applicants who are a little younger or older.

2. Physical Fitness

  • Farm work often involves:
    • Lifting, bending, and standing for long hours
    • Working in all weather conditions
  • A basic medical exam may be required for visa approval

3. Basic Language Skills

  • Depending on the region:
    • German (most of central and eastern Switzerland)
    • French (western areas like Vaud and Geneva)
    • Italian (southern region, Ticino)
    • English is often accepted for seasonal jobs or international teams

4. Clean Criminal Record

  • During the visa application procedure, a police clearance certificate is frequently needed.
  • Employers in Switzerland value dependable and trustworthy employees.

5. Eligible Nationality

  • To apply for a Swiss work visa, you must be from a nation that allows such applications.
  • Non-EU candidates may apply using a seasonal or short-term (L) work visa, as long as:
    • The employer demonstrates that there isn’t a suitable Swiss or EU candidate available.
    • The employer has a Swiss labor authorities registration.

Visa Sponsorship

In order to address labor shortages in agriculture, Switzerland grants foreign nationals both seasonal and full-time work permits. Non-EU candidates are frequently hired by farms on short-term agricultural contracts, usually lasting three to nine months.

Here is a detailed explanation of how visa sponsorship for certain positions operates:

Step-by-Step Process

1. Employer Applies for Work Permit Approval

  • The cantonal labor authority receives a request from the Swiss farm or agricultural employer.
  • They have to demonstrate that they are unable to locate a local (EU/Swiss) worker.
  • This includes:
    • Proof of job posting in Switzerland
    • Justification for hiring a foreign worker

2. You Receive a Job Offer & Contract

  • A signed employment contract is issued by the employer upon approval.
  • Additionally, they offer a Certificate of Work Permit Approval or a comparable affirmation.

3. You Apply for the Swiss Work Visa

  • You apply for a visa at the Swiss consulate or embassy in your nation.
  • Usually, the following documents are needed:
    • Valid passport
    • Job contract and work permit approval letter
    • Medical check and police clearance
    • Proof of accommodation (often provided by the farm)

4. Receive Visa and Travel to Switzerland

  • Upon acceptance of your application, you will receive a Type D (National) Visa (processing time: 4–8 weeks).
  • You can enter Switzerland with this visa and work there lawfully for the term of the contract.

Salary and Benefits

Switzerland has a high cost of living, but it also offers competitive wages, even for seasonal and unskilled roles like farm work. Most contracts come with essential benefits to support foreign workers during their stay.

Average Pay (2025 Estimates)

Compensation TypeRate
Hourly WageCHF 14 – CHF 18
Monthly PayCHF 2,200 – CHF 3,200*

📌 Monthly pay depends on hours worked, weekend/overtime shifts, and contract length. Swiss farms typically expect 40–50 hours/week.

Common Benefits Provided

1. Free or Discounted Accommodation

  • The majority of farms offer on-site lodging in the form of shared rooms or dorms.
  • Typically, utilities (heating, water, and electricity) are included.
  • You and other seasonal employees might have to share space.

2. Shared Kitchen or Free Meals

  • Many farms offer:
    • 1–3 meals per day
    • Or access to a shared kitchen and groceries allowance

3. Work Clothes and Equipment

  • Employers typically supply:
    • Safety gear, gloves, boots, and weatherproof clothing
    • Tools needed for harvesting or livestock care

4. Medical Insurance During Your Contract

  • Swiss law mandates basic health coverage, which is typically set up (or partially funded) by your job.
  • Included are work-related injuries and emergency care.

5. Return Opportunities or Contract Extensions

  • Good workers are often:
    • Invited back annually
    • Offered longer contracts or full-season placement

How to Apply

Here is a straightforward and practical application procedure to undertake from your home country if you’re prepared to work on a farm in Switzerland and require visa sponsorship:

Step 1: Prepare Your Documents

You’ll need the following essentials to apply:

  • Resume/CV
    Emphasize your experience with manual labor, farming, or outdoor jobs. Mention your availability, desire to move, and languages spoken.e
  • Passport Copy
    Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond the expected work period
  • Recent Passport-Sized Photo
  • Medical Fitness Report
    Basic certificate from a certified doctor confirming you’re fit for physical labor
  • Police Clearance Certificate
    Required for visa processing and employer screening
  • Cover Letter (optional but helpful)
    Keep it simple, honest, and focused on why you’re a good fit

Step 2: Search for Employers or Agencies

Look for farms or licensed recruiters hiring foreign workers in Switzerland:

Where to Search:
  • Official Swiss job portals:
  • International seasonal job platforms:
  • Recruitment agencies hiring for Swiss farms:
    • Agri-Job.ch
    • European Labour Force
    • JobConnector
  • Search terms to use:
    • “Farm jobs in Switzerland with visa sponsorship 2025”
    • “Fruit picking Switzerland foreigners”
    • “Dairy farm seasonal worker jobs Switzerland”

Step 3: Submit Your Application

  • Apply via the platform or direct email (some employers list WhatsApp numbers too)
  • Attach your CV, passport, and any requested documents
  • Some applications may include:
    • Online forms
    • Short video introductions
    • Simple work availability questionnaires

Step 4: Attend an Interview or Receive a Job Offer

  • Some employers might:
    • Interview you via WhatsApp, Zoom, or Skype
    • Just confirm your offer via email with a contract attached

Step 5: Start the Visa Process

Once you have a signed job contract, follow these steps:

  1. Your employer requests approval of your Swiss work permit.
  2. You visit the Swiss embassy or consulate in your nation after gathering the necessary paperwork.
  3. Apply for a short-term work visa (L Permit) by submitting an application.
  4. Await the approval of your visa, which usually takes 4–8 weeks.
  5. Once authorized, schedule travel and take a flight to Switzerland.

Conclusion

In 2025, farm jobs in Switzerland with visa sponsorship provide a genuine, fulfilling possibility, regardless of your desire for mountain pastures or your need for honest, well-paying employment. For diligent people looking for legal work, European experience, and an opportunity to fully immerse themselves in Swiss culture and nature, these positions are perfect.

Your journey to the Swiss countryside can start sooner than you expect if you get your paperwork ready, apply through reliable channels, and collaborate with registered employers.

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. Who is eligible to apply?

    You can apply if you:
    Are 20–50 years old
    Are physically fit
    Have basic English, German, French, or Italian
    Hold a clean police record
    Are from a country allowed to apply for a Swiss work visa

  2. What is the average salary?

    Pay (2025 estimates):
    CHF 14–18 per hour
    CHF 2,200–3,200 per month
    Night shifts, longer hours, or specialized roles (like dairy or maintenance) may earn more.


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