The Canton of Ticino has issued updated guidance for foreign residents who commute daily to Switzerland – so-called ‘frontaliers’. Effective immediately, anyone beginning a new job or switching employers must apply for a fresh G-permit and notify both the local commune where they overnight in Switzerland and the cantonal migration office at least ten days before the first working day. Under the revised procedures, applicants must first present themselves at a gendarmerie post for an identity check. Officers certify the passport copy that accompanies the permit request, which is then forwarded to the cantonal migration office in Bellinzona. Authorities also clarified that a CHF 10,000 financial guarantee, proof of stable accommodation and an employment contract are mandatory components of every file. Ticino processes around 80,000 G-permits each year, the vast majority for Italian residents working in manufacturing, healthcare and hospitality. Officials say better upfront screening is needed after several cases of frontaliers working without the correct authorisation were uncovered during labour-market inspections in Lugano and Mendrisio this spring. Employers caught onboarding staff before a permit is issued risk fines of up to CHF 40,000 and, in serious cases, temporary exclusion from public contracts. For HR teams the message is clear: build a two-week buffer between signing a cross-border hire and the intended start date. Mobility managers are also advised to counsel recruits on the obligation to re-register whenever they change employer, job location or residence, even within Ticino. Failure to do so can invalidate health-insurance cover and block future renewals.
Source: FrontalieriTicino
