Thousands of fake work permits in circulation

Tuesday, 23 June 2026 06:30

Switzerland's border-security agency is sounding the alarm over a sharp rise in forged work permits used by non-EU nationals to get jobs.

The Federal Office of Customs and Border Security found nearly one and a half thousand fake documents in 2025.

Fake employment contracts, shell companies and forged European ID cards are all in circulation, the State Secretariat for Migration confirms.

The Swiss Association of Resident Services is now rolling out a "control kit" — a UV lamp, magnifier and AI-backed database — to help spot forgeries.

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