Foreigners who have studied in Switzerland will be granted easier access to the domestic work market, parliament has decided.

They will be granted permission to stay in the country for six months to allow them to find a job.

The idea is to stop highly qualified graduates leaving the country after such a large investment in their training.

Foreigners will be allowed to stay if it is in the economic and scientific interest, the Senate agreed on Monday.

Both parliamentary chambers have now approved the move, which involves a revision to the law. It is still subject to formal final approval.

Around 20 per cent of students at bachelor and masters level come from abroad, according to 2008 figures. For doctorates, foreigners make up almost 50 per cent of candidates.

swissinfo.ch and agencies

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