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.

More from Bitesize News

Swiss Post announce job cuts

Swiss Post will eliminate up to 110 positions in 2027, blaming shrinking letter volumes and fewer over-the-counter transactions
Autumn arrives in Switzerland

The heatwave that has gripped Switzerland since May finally breaks tomorrow
Driver warning in Vaud

Drivers in western Vaud face four nights of disruption on the A1 next week.
Mixed results in school classrooms

Swiss 15-year-olds still rank among the world's best in maths and science, but their performance in reading and maths is sliding
Good news for household bills

Swiss households will pay a little less for electricity next year
Fuel reserves now in use

Switzerland is dipping into its emergency fuel reserves for the first time this year to keep petrol and diesel flowing