Switzerland has been a partner country of Erasmus+, the EU Exchange Programme for Education, Training, Youth and Sport, since 2014. Students from EU countries who wish to spend an exchange semester in Switzerland can apply for an exchange within the framework of the “Swiss-European Mobility Programme” (SEMP).

Students from abroad who wish to take advantage of the SEMP must be enrolled at ZHAW for a minimum of two months and a maximum of 12 months.

If you are interested in coming to the ZHAW as a visiting student (SEMP, free mover or completing an internship), please contact the International Relations Offices in the ZHAW School which corresponds to your subject area.

The ZHAW works with the Erasmus Student Network and offers a buddy service to help international students feel at home on campus quickly. Under the motto “Students helping students”, the buddy service helps to make the transition to life at the ZHAW smoother.

As a student from abroad, you are assigned a “buddy”, a person who - where possible - is studying the same subject area as you. The service is optional so you can decide whether you wish to use it. A few weeks before the beginning of the semester, your buddy will make contact with you. Your buddy might help, for example, by collecting you from the airport or the railway station.

In your first few days here, your buddy will help you to familiarise yourself with life at the ZHAW and in Switzerland. Your buddy can help you to open a bank account, explain the ticketing system on public transport, and introduce you to life at the ZHAW. You can also contact your buddy at a later stage if you have any questions or problems. Buddies do not, however, carry out administrative duties, such as arranging accommodation or issuing a residence permit.

Classes at the ZHAW are taught predominantly in German. However, the ZHAW also offers several degree programmes, modules and courses, as well as some continuing education options in English. The International Relations Offices will help you to plan and organize your stay in Switzerland and will assist you as you organize your study programme. Depending on availability and after agreement by the relevant International Relations Office, you may also be able to select modules and courses beyond your usual field of study.

The Insurance and liability fact sheet for incoming exchange students contains information and recommendations on insurance and liability issues for visiting students from abroad who are interested in spending an exchange semester or doing an internship at the ZHAW. Students take personal responsibility for all matters related to insurance, including health, accident and liability insurance. The ZHAW accepts no liability.

Swiss and foreign students whose residence under civil law is in Switzerland must pay contributions amounting to at least CHF 514 annually to Old Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHV), Invalidity Insurance (IV) and Loss of Earnings Insurance (EO) from 1 January following the student’s 20th birthday.

From 1 January following the student’s 25th birthday, students who are not in paid employment must pay contributions that are based on their social circumstances (i.e. they no longer pay the minimum contribution).

Students do not have to make contributions to AHV, IV and EO if:

• the student has certification from the employer or the compensation office that contributions of at least CHF 514 have been made from the student’s earned income or compensation for loss of earnings in the relevant year;
• the student is in Switzerland solely for the purpose of studying and the student’s residence under civil law is not in Switzerland;
• the student’s spouse makes AHV, IV and EO contributions in Switzerland and is employed according to the terms of AHV, and the contributions made amount to at least CHF 1 028 (i.e. twice the minimum amount).

The ZHAW is legally required to register all students who are 20 years of age or older on 31.12. of the year with the Social Insurance Authority (SVA). For this reason, it is essential that students inform their degree programme administrative office of their 13-digit social insurance number. Students who are obliged to pay AHV contributions will receive a questionnaire within the course of the first six months of the year. This questionnaire must be filled in, signed and returned to the SVA Zürich in all cases. Students who have not received this questionnaire by the end of July must contact the SVA directly. All questions related to AHV contributions for those who are not in paid employment should be addressed to:

SVA Zürich
Röntgenstr. 17, Postfach
8087 Zürich
Tel. +41 (0)44 448 50 00

Other AHV-related questions can be addressed to any of the AHV offices. See also:

• AHV Website (Information in English on a limited number of topics)
• Information sheet (in German only):  Beiträge der Studierenden an die AHV, die IV und die EO 

Depending on their nationality, people who wish to study at the ZHAW must fulfill different conditions. If they intend to work, they need a work permit. All foreign students are required to register with the Residents' Registration Office within 14 days of their arrival.

Please note that a standard Schengen visa is not sufficient for foreign students to begin studying at the ZHAW. Students from EU / EFTA countries need a valid passport or identity card in order to enter Switzerland. Students from Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore and the United Kingdom are exempted from the visa requirement. However, upon arrival in Switzerland, they must apply for a residence permit and submit the same documentation as students who are subject to the visa obligation. Students from all other countries (third countries) need an entry permit ("Einreisebewilligung") as well as a visa. You should apply for an entry permit at the Swiss Embassy in your home country. If your application is approved by the authorities in Switzerland, you can then apply for a visa at the embassy. You will need various documents for your application (including confirmation of enrolment at the ZHAW). Ask for a checklist from the person in charge at the ZHAW School you have applied to. All documents must be originals and submitted together with translations into German; translations must be authenticated by a notary. In some cases, documents in English are accepted. You can grant authorisation to a designated person at the ZHAW to act in your name, so that we can deal with the paperwork for you.

When students from non EU/EFTA countries (third countries) apply for their visa, they must submit proof of access to a sum of CHF 21,000 per year in a Swiss bank account or other approved financial institution. This money serves as a guarantee to cover their living costs, including compulsory health insurance premiums, during their stay in Switzerland.

Foreign students who hold a residence permit are permitted to work part-time in Switzerland. During the semester, you can work a maximum of 15 hours per week. During the holidays, your working hours can be extended. EU nationals receive a work permit from the Residents' Registration Office of the municipality where they are living. Students from non EU countries and from Bulgaria and Romania must apply for a work permit at the Office for Economy and Labour ("Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit AWA") in Zurich. This is best done by your (future) employer.