This article is based on the results of a qualitative study focusing on the transitions into adult life for Latin American youths living in Switzerland without a residence permit. It focuses on the role played by money and work in the process leading these young people to autonomy. Whilst they describe money as a condition for achieving autonomy, these youths encounter important obstacles in joining the job market because of the lack of a residence permit. Depending on the young people’s trajectories, their entries into the job market may be facilitated or hindered and the process leading to autonomy can take different forms.

Keywords: Young people, Latin Americans, lack of legal residence status, work, autonomy