Registering with the RAV in Switzerland: Step-by-Step — With Everything You Really Need

You have just received your notice of termination or your contract is expiring soon. What now? The most important action in the first few days: registering with the Regional Employment Center (RAV). Anyone who waits too long risks losing daily allowances.

Rule of thumb: RAV registration as early as possible — ideally in the month before starting work. Every day counts.

What is the RAV?

The Regional Employment Center (RAV) is the government agency that supports job seekers in Switzerland. It is part of the system of arbeit.swiss and the public employment service (OAV). Each canton has its own RAV network — you register with the RAV in your canton of residence.

The RAV has two main tasks:

1. Employment placement: Support in your job search
2. Monitoring eligibility: Verifying whether you fulfill your obligations (job search efforts, forms)

Parallel to the RAV, there is the unemployment fund (ALK), which pays out your daily allowances. The RAV and ALK are separate entities — this frequently causes confusion.

[Dein Vorname Nachname]
[Deine Strasse & Hausnummer, PLZ Ort]
AHV-Nr.: [756.XXXX.XXXX.XX]

EINSCHREIBEN / PERSÖNLICHE ÜBERGABE
[Name der Arbeitslosenkasse, z.B. Kantonale Arbeitslosenkasse Graubünden]
[Strasse / Postfach, PLZ Ort]

, 20.08.2026

Betreff: Dringender Antrag auf Taggeld-Vorschusszahlung gemäss Art. 29 AVIG

Sehr geehrte Damen und Herren

Ich habe mich per [Datum deiner Anmeldung] ordnungsgemäss zum Leistungsbezug bei Ihrer Kasse angemeldet und sämtliche mir vorliegenden Unterlagen vollständig eingereicht.

Bis zum heutigen Tag – mithin seit über 8 Wochen – habe ich weder eine Leistungsabrechnung noch die mir zustehenden Taggelder für die vergangenen Kontrollperioden erhalten. 

Da meine grundsätzliche Anspruchsberechtigung ausgewiesen ist und durch die ausbleibenden Zahlungen eine akute finanzielle Notlage droht (laufende Fixkosten, Miete, Krankenkasse), beantrage ich hiermit ausdrücklich:

1. Die unverzügliche Ausrichtung einer angemessenen Vorschusszahlung auf meine Taggelder gemäss Art. 29 AVIG auf mein Ihnen bekanntes Bankkonto.
2. Eine schriftliche Auskunft darüber, welche allfälligen Drittunterlagen (z.B. Arbeitgeberbescheinigung) Ihrem Hause noch fehlen, damit ich diese unverzüglich nachfordern kann.

Für eine Auszahlung des Vorschusses innert 5 Arbeitstagen danke ich Ihnen im Voraus bestens.

Freundliche Grüsse

(Unterschrift)

[Dein Vorname Nachname]

The Right Timing: When to Register?

This is one of the most common mistakes: registering too late.

The official rule:

• Register with the RAV on the first day of unemployment — i.e., at the latest on the first day after the notice period expires.
• Even better: Register during the notice period as soon as you know you are losing your job.
• The earliest possible registration is on the 1st of your last working month.

Anyone who registers late may be missing daily allowances for waiting days. The first daily allowances are calculated from the registration date at the earliest.

What You Need for Registration

Before you go to the RAV, you should have the following documents ready:

1. Identity document (Swiss passport, ID, or foreigner's permit)
2. Notice of termination from your employer (or your own resignation letter)
3. Salary certificates for the last 12 months (for calculating the insured earnings)
4. AHV card/certificate (if available)
5. Bank details (IBAN) for the payout of daily allowances
6. Current CV — the more professional, the better

Tip: Your RAV advisor will evaluate your CV immediately. With a modern, RAV-compliant CV from PARAT, you make a professional impression from day one.

How Does the Registration Process Work?

Step 1: Online Pre-registration (Recommended)

Many cantons offer online pre-registration via the Job-Room (job-room.ch). You create a profile there and register as a job seeker. Afterward, you will receive an appointment at the RAV.

Not all cantons have the same digital infrastructure — check arbeit.swiss for your nearest RAV.

Step 2: Initial Interview at the RAV

During the first personal interview, the following happens:

• Verification of your entitlement (contribution period, waiting time)
• Determination of the minimum number of monthly job application efforts (varies depending on situation and canton: usually 8–12)
• Explanation of the PAB form (proof of personal work efforts)
• Scheduling the next interview date

Step 3: Registration with the Unemployment Fund

Parallel to the RAV registration, you must also register with the unemployment fund of your canton or industry. The ALK checks your claim to daily allowances and pays them out.

You can get the forms for this from the RAV or directly from the unemployment fund.

What Has Changed with ASAL 2.0?

Since early 2026, the new payout system ASAL 2.0 has been operational. SECO recommends that all insured persons submit their information electronically via the Job-Room instead of on paper.

There were significant technical problems at launch — SECO communicated this officially. However, payouts were secured: By the end of January 2026, around 363 million Swiss francs in unemployment compensation had been paid out.

If you had or have problems with ASAL 2.0: Contact your unemployment fund directly and document everything in writing.

Common Mistakes When Registering with the RAV

1. Registering too late
Every lost day = potentially a lost daily allowance claim.

2. CV not ready
Your RAV advisor will want to see it immediately. An incomplete or outdated CV creates an immediate bad impression.

3. Wrong fund
RAV (placement) and ALK (payout) are two different entities. Many only register with the RAV but forget the ALK.

4. Previous job application efforts not documented
If you sent out applications before registering, bring them along as proof. This strengthens your position.

PARAT: Ready for Your First RAV Interview

The initial RAV interview often determines how the relationship with your advisor goes. Those who arrive well prepared — with a professional CV, structured application documents, and a clear plan — are treated differently.

With PARAT, you create your RAV-compliant CV in just a few minutes, store all applications centrally, and at the end of the month, you have all proof ready at the click of a button via ZIP export.

Start now for free — no subscription required.

This is Part 2 of 5 in the series "Understanding the Swiss System". Next up: ALV Daily Allowances 2026: How Your Unemployment Benefits Are Calculated.