Residence permit and visa requirements in Switzerland are highly dependent on your nationality:
EU / EEA and EFTA citizens:
People with citizenship from EU, EEA or EFTA countries are able to come to Switzerland for 90 days (in every 180-day period) without a visa. Citizens of these countries are also able to live and work in Switzerland for up to 90 days per calendar year without applying for a Swiss residence permit, although they must notify authorities if they wish to work.
If you wish to stay and work in the country for longer than 90 days, you will need to register with the authorities and apply for a Swiss residence permit. The residence permit allows you to live and work in Switzerland year-round.
EU, EEA and EFTA citizens are also able to live in Switzerland for up to six months to look for work, but must apply for a Swiss residence permit after three months.
Non-EU, EEA and EFTA citizens:
Citizens from outside the EU, EEA and EFTA (including the United Kingdom) who want to come to Switzerland temporarily (as a tourist or someone hoping to study at university) need to apply for a visa - although some nations (like the UK) have agreements with Switzerland that allow their citizens to stay for 90 days visa-free. Tourist, business, study, and medical visas are available for time-limited stays in Switzerland.
If you want to remain in the country for longer than 90 days, or longer than the duration of your university or college course, you must apply for a residence permit. This almost always requires you to find a job in Switzerland, as for non-EU citizens at least one member of your family must come to the country with a pre-agreed work contract.
So-called “third country nationals” cannot come to Switzerland to look for work. Arrivals from outside the European Union, EEA, and EFTA are also subject to a strict quota system when applying for residence permits.