Federal Council aims to make better use of the domestic labour force
Bern, 22.04.2026 — The Federal Council is addressing the challenges related to immigration. Foreign nationals who come to Switzerland through family reunification are expected to integrate into the workforce. To this end, the Federal Council opened the consultation process on an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act on 22 April. In order to support the cantons in implementing the bill, it also decided to extend the Perspecta pilot programme until 2030. This is an accompanying measure related to the popular initiative ‘No to a Switzerland of 10 million! (Sustainability Initiative)’.
Immigration and the subsequent growth in population are primarily driven by the labour market. Switzerland should therefore make better use of the domestic labour force. The Federal Council reaffirmed this objective at the end of January 2025 by adopting a series of accompanying measures aimed at, among other things, improving labour market integration.
Through an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act, the Federal Council intends to encourage more people already residing in Switzerland to participate in the labour market. In future, individuals arriving in Switzerland through family reunification with no prospect of employment or education will be registered with the Vocational, Educational and Career Guidance Service by the relevant cantonal or communal authorities.
This service can assist these people in finding a job. During a consultation session, they will receive detailed information about opportunities and requirements for entering the Swiss labour market, the importance of vocational training, and the process of having foreign professional qualifications recognised in Switzerland.
At the same time, the Federal Council has decided to extend the Perspecta pilot programme by two years, until 2030. Under the programme, the Vocational, Educational and Career Guidance Service advises and supports people arriving in Switzerland through family reunification in finding a job and, if necessary, in having their foreign qualifications recognised. The programme is intended as an accompanying measure to the legislative amendment. By extending the pilot programme, the Federal Council is also responding to the cantons' request for sufficient time to assess its benefits.
The consultation period runs until 12 August.
Documents
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Änderung des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetzes: Meldung von Personen mit besonderem Beratungsbedarf bei der Berufs-, Studien- und Laufbahnberatung. Erläuternder Bericht zur Eröffnung des Vernehmlassungsverfahrens
Bundesgesetz über die Ausländerinnen und Ausländer und über die Integration (Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetz, AIG) (Berufs-, Studien- und Laufbahnberatung für im Familiennachzug zugelassene Personen). Vorentwurf