I immigrated to Switzerland from the US back around 2000 for a technology job. It was actually fairly easy to get a temp worker's visa which was valid for 3 mon

I immigrated to Switzerland from the US back around 2000 for a technology job. It was actually fairly easy to get a temp worker's visa which was valid for 3 months. Once I was there, my employer went with me to the "Bureau d'Etrangers" to get my actual work visa which was valid for one year. It would be renewable each year as I proved I was still employed. It's possible it's much more difficult now 17 years later with lots of political and social change around the world. But, I think the Swiss love for people to think it's a lot harder than it is. It requires diligence and some paperwork on a regular basis but if you are skilled technology worker, they tend to let you right in...in my experience.