My understanding is that you can use startups.ch to incorporate and then take the certificate of having a company to the local government
office (Kreisburo) and tell them that you have moved to Switzerland. You tell them that you have your own Swiss company, and that you want a residence permit, then present your bank statement to show that you are not broke. Then you get a 5-year residence and work permit.<p>This is the procedure for European Union (EU) citizens. Does it work for non-EU citizens as well?<p>How much money do you need to have to show that you are not broke?
Disclaimer: I'm from the EU and I'm only <i>going to</i> finish my studies in Switzerland. Everything I say is only a guess.<p>To my best knowledge, you need about 14.000€ for a year as a student, but this seems to depend on your location. But since you need at least 20.000 SFr to incorporate a GmbH (similar to Limited) anyway, this shouldn't be a big deal.<p>Things are generally a lot more difficult for non-EU citizens - they have a lot more trouble with a visa when they want to study. I think it's similar for work permits.<p>My advise: Ask startups.ch for info and check the information with a lawyer. Things will get very ugly otherwise, since getting a flat requires you to show that you have work, iirc.
Check out the following page for official information:<p><a href="http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/00614/00715/index.html?lang=en" rel="nofollow">http://www.kmu.admin.ch/themen/00614/00715/index.html?lang=e...</a>