EU/EFTA

Students who are citizens of an EU or EFTA country do not require a visa to enter Switzerland. It is sufficient to present a passport or an identification card (ID).

EU-countries

Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Germany, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Italy, Ireland, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Austria, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Sweden, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Czech Republic, Hungary, Cyprus

EFTA-countries

Principality of Liechtenstein, Iceland, Norway, Switzerland

Australia, Japan, Malaysia, Singapore and the United Kingdom

Students who are citizens of Australia, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore or the United Kingdom do not need a visa to enter Switzerland. However, you must apply for a residence permit prior to entering the country. The documents can be sent directly to the migration office of the Canton of Zurich via the contact form 2-3 months before entry. On arrival, you must register with the residents' registration office in the area where you are living in Switzerland.

All other countries

Students who are nationals of a third country require a national visa D to enter Switzerland. You can apply for this at at the relevant Swiss representation abroad.

It is the responsibility of applicants to arrange their own entry. The Entry regulations of the country of origin apply.

For study purposes, you require a national visa type D for long-term stays. Please contact the Swiss representation in your country of residence at least three months before you plan to enter Switzerland.

Do not enter Switzerland on a tourist visa, as this cannot be converted into a residence permit once you are in the country.

Please use our checklist (PDF 109 kB) as a cover sheet for your visa application and enclose the following documents with your visa application:

Please note that not providing one of the listed documents may cause delays. If the Swiss representation at your place of residence requests additional documents, please provide them.

• Cover sheet for visa application
• Authorization ZHAW to represent student in the entry procedure (optional)
• Visa application
• Letter of Acceptance from ZHAW
• Letter of Motivation
• Tabular CV
• Diplomas
• Future plans
• Written obligation to return home
• Confirmation of sufficient financial means

Costs for a visa

1. When you apply for a visa, you must pay the relevant Swiss representation the visa fee (between CHF 50.-  and CHF 100.-).
2. The migration office of the canton responsible for your application will charge a further CHF 95.- for the “authorization to issue a visa”.
3. The responsible district office in the city of Zurich will charge an additional CHF 162.- for the residence permit when registering.

Additional tuition fees for students who are not resident in Switzerland

According to Swiss law, foreign nationals who come to Switzerland to study are not considered residents of Switzerland (Art. 23 ZGB).

In addition to the regular tuition fees, you will pay an additional tuition fee of CHF 500 per semester for the entire duration of your studies (even if you move your official place of residence to Switzerland after starting your studies). 

It is not possible to obtain residency under civil law if the residence permit was issued for the purposes of study or training.

The Migration Office considers each case individually, examining applications based on various factors. Visa applications are usually rejected

• if you have already completed a degree at the level you wish to study at the ZHAW.
• if the visa application is incomplete.

Please note that, according to the canton of Zurich, applicants over the age of 30 must also demonstrate their intention and motivation to study in Switzerland. Residence without employment for third-country nationals | Canton of Zürich 

If you intend to stay in Switzerland for more than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit. You must register in person at the residents' registration office within 14 days of your arrival. In the city of Zurich, these offices are called “Personenmeldeamt”. Registrations from abroad are only accepted by appointment. Book an appointment   (City of Zurich)

If you do not live in the city of Zurich, please register at the residents' registration office in your place of residence.

All new arrivals must make an appointment with the Zurich Migration Office to register their biometric ID after registering at the registration office.

You should bring the following documents with you when you register:

EU/EFTA

1. Valid passport or ID card
2. Confirmation of enrollment
   (You will receive this confirmation from the Admissions Office after matriculation)
3. Rental contract

4. Proof of sufficient financial resources. The following applies as proof:

   a. Own bank statement or

   b. Confirmation from your parents that they will support you financially during your         studies

5. CHF 40.- (Confirmation of registration)
6. CHF 70.- (ID card fee)

Non EU/EFTA

1. Valid passport with visa
2. Confirmation of enrollment
   (You will receive this confirmation from the Admissions Office after matriculation)
3. Rental contract
4. CHF 40.- (Confirmation of registration)
5. CHF 142.- (ID card fee)

The residence permit is usually valid for one year. After that, it can be renewed for as long as your studies continue.

Please note that each time your residence permit is extended, you must provide new proof of sufficient financial resources and submit a “confirmation of enrollment”. The document will be available to you on myZHAW after you have paid the semester fee.

Students from countries outside the EU/EFTA may stay in Switzerland for a maximum of 8 years for study purposes. This may also involve completing a doctorate or a stay as a postdoc.

In order to be well covered in case of need, we strongly recommend that you inform yourself about the exact insurance conditions and benefits.

Mandatory health insurance

Anyone living in Switzerland for more than three months is required to have health insurance. Students who have statutory or state insurance in their home country can submit an application for exemption from compulsory insurance in Switzerland when registering at the Immigration Office. This can be applied for either directly via the municipality or via the SVA website.

It is your responsibility to take out health insurance.

Travel insurance from your home country cannot be recognized as insurance cover.

AHV-insurance

During your studies you must pay contributions to AHV, IV and EO. Missing contribution years can lead to a reduction in the pension. If you do not work, you only have to pay the minimum amount. Accounting during your studies is therefore a must. You can obtain further information from the AHV or from any cantonal compensation office.

In the spring, students who are subject to AHV contributions will receive an email from SVA Zurich with a personal link to an online form. If you have not received an e-mail by the end of July, please contact the SVA Zurich directly. See also: AHV website

Accident insurance

If you are employed and work at least eight hours a week, you are automatically insured against accidents. If this is not the case, you must include the accident risk with your health insurance. All you need to do is send a short written notification to your insurance company. For a premium reduction, please contact your municipality of residence.

Private-liability insurance

Personal-liability insurance cover damages caused by students to other people or their property. The insurance costs between CHF 100.- and CHF 150.- per year. Although personal-liability insurance is not compulsory, we recommend that you take out the insurance.

Before you leave Switzerland, you must deregister at the residents' registration office in your municipality of residence. In the city of Zurich, this is the responsibility of the Personenmeldeamt. This is possible at the earliest 30 days before your planned departure.

Please take your passport (or ID for EU/EFTA nationals) with you. You can request confirmation of your deregistration. A fee of CHF 20 applies here. If you have taken out Swiss health insurance, you will need confirmation that you have deregistered from it.

^{* disclaimer: The information on our website has been created with the utmost care. However, we cannot accept any liability for the accuracy, completeness or timeliness of the content. If in doubt, please contact the Migration Office or the responsible office.}