Teaching assistants
You are a student at ETH Zurich or are enrolled at another university and would like to work as a teaching assistant.
Work permit
Students from EU/EFTA countries can take up the job with a valid foreigner's identity card which states "Education with gainful employment up to 15 hours".
Exception: Persons who do not have the remark in their foreigner's identity card must apply for a permit via HR Administration and may only start the job after the permit has been issued. Please note that the Migration office requires 2-3 weeks to process a request.
Principles and requirements
The activity as a teaching assistant may only be exercised during the duration of the studies and only by students of ETH Zurich or other Swiss universities. Since the actual purpose of the stay is to study, the working hours are limited. During the semester, a maximum of 15 hours per week may be worked; during the semester break, full-time work of 41 hours per week is permitted.
- You are already registered in Switzerland and are in possession of a residence permit for studying.
- You have already enrolled at ETH or another university
- You already have an offer of a position as a teaching assistant
Documents
The institute or professor’s office will contact you with a request to submit the following documents:
- Personal data sheet
- Copy of confirmation of enrolment
- Copy of residence permit
Students from non-EU/EFTA countries require a permit to work here, approved by the Swiss Labour Market Authority.
Conditions
- You are already registered in Switzerland and are in possession of a residence permit for studying.
- You have already enrolled at ETH or another university
- You already have an offer of a position as a teaching assistant
Work and residence permit
You may only work as a teaching assistant during the period of your studies. Since the primary purpose of your residence is to study, your working hours are limited: during term-time you may not work more than 15 hours per week, but during the holidays full-time, 41 hours per week.
Procedure:
- The request for the work permit is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich).
- Permission to take up the post is sent to the future employee in writing.
- He or she may not commence work until after receiving confirmation from the authorities.
Please note: Bachelor students may only take up a post as a teaching assistant 6 months after entering the country. Master students have only a waiting time, if the teaching assistance isn’t linked with the study.
Processing period
Please note: The Office for Economy and Labour requires 4 - 6 weeks to process a request.
Documents
The institute or professor’s office will contact you with a request to submit the following documents:
- Personal Data Sheet
- Copy of confirmation of enrolment
- Copy of residence permit
Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact
the Vice-Presidency for Personnel Development and Leadership, which will clarify your particular situation in consultation with the Migration Office.