This information is for orientation only. Rules differ by canton and commune. Always confirm with SEM, your cantonal migration office, and your university before you travel or submit applications.

Bureaucracy roadmap

Admission → Cantonal authorisation (non-EU) → Visa D (if required) → Register within 14 days → Permit B → Renew annually → After graduation

Switzerland is federal: SEM sets national immigration policy, but your canton decides many permit details and your commune (Gemeinde) handles address registration.

Student checklist — where are you now?

  • Before arrival (non-EU): university admission, proof of funds (often about CHF 21,000/year — confirm with your school), accommodation proof, health insurance plan, passport valid beyond your stay.
  • Before arrival (EU/EFTA): admission letter, ID/passport, housing plan, budget for health insurance premium + franchise.
  • Within 14 days of moving in: register at the residents’ office (Einwohnerkontrolle / contrôle des habitants); apply for or collect Permit B at the cantonal migration office.
  • Within 3 months: take out mandatory basic health insurance (KVG/LAMal) if not already done.
  • Before paid work: check permit conditions and university rules — see the Work guide.
  • Every year: renew Permit B with proof of study progress and sufficient funds.

Exchange students and short stays

  • Erasmus / semester exchange (EU): usually register within 14 days and obtain Permit B for education — coordinated by your host university.
  • Short courses under 90 days: may not need a residence permit depending on nationality — confirm with SEM and your embassy.
  • Tourist entry: cannot enrol as a full-time degree student — you need the correct residence status.

Permit types relevant to students

Document / statusWhoTypical duration
Permit B (education)Degree students, many exchange studentsUsually 1 year, renewable for the programme
National visa DMany non-EU nationals before entryEntry visa; then Permit B in Switzerland
EU/EFTA free movementEU/EFTA nationalsRegister + Permit B; no embassy visa for long stays
Permit L (short stay)Specific short assignmentsUp to 1 year in some cases — not the main study route
Job-search permitGraduates (conditions apply)Limited period to seek employment — verify current SEM/cantonal practice

Last updated: May 2026 — SEM

EU / EFTA / UK (where applicable)

Swiss immigration treats EU/EFTA nationals under free movement (with registration and Permit B for stays over 90 days).

Steps

  1. Admission — Enrolment confirmation from a Swiss university or UAS.
  2. Travel — Valid passport or national ID card.
  3. Register within 14 days — At your commune’s residents’ office with lease and personal documents.
  4. Permit B — Canton issues after registration; you receive a residence permit card.
  5. Health insurance — Basic insurance (LAMal) within 3 months; EHIC alone is not enough for long-term residence.
  6. AHVN13 — Social security number assigned when you register for work or social insurance.

Last updated: May 2026 — ch.ch — living in Switzerland

Non-EU nationals — study permit

Steps (from abroad)

  1. Admission — Unconditional offer or enrolment from a recognised institution.
  2. Cantonal authorisation — The canton where you will study must approve your stay (university often helps submit).
  3. Proof of funds — Commonly about CHF 21,000 per year for living costs; some cantons want funds in a Swiss bank account before approval.
  4. Written undertaking to leave — Commitment to depart Switzerland after studies if required.
  5. National visa D — Apply at the Swiss embassy/consulate once the canton authorises (often 8–12 weeks total).
  6. Arrival — Register within 14 days and collect your Permit B.

Document checklist (embassy / canton)

  • Valid passport and visa application forms + photos.
  • Admission letter, study plan, CV, diplomas/transcripts.
  • Proof of tuition payment or scholarship.
  • Bank statements / sponsor letter meeting cantonal minimums.
  • Accommodation confirmation (lease or university housing).
  • Health insurance confirmation or undertaking to enrol in LAMal.
  • Police clearance certificate (if requested).

Fees and timelines (indicative)

ItemAmount / time (2026)Note
Cantonal permit feeVaries (often CHF 100–200+)Check your canton
National visa DEmbassy fee per countryMOFA / representation
Communal registrationUsually modestCommune tariff
Processing time8–12 weeks (non-EU)Peak intake seasons slower

Last updated: May 2026 — FDFA — visas; SEM

After arrival: registration, insurance, AHVN13

  1. Address registration — Every move: deregister old commune, register new one within 14 days.
  2. Permit card — Carry your residence permit; note expiry and work conditions printed on it.
  3. Basic health insurance — Choose an insurer and annual deductible (Franchise, often CHF 300–2,500); models include free choice, HMO, Telmed.
  4. AHVN13 — Needed for employment and social insurance; appears on payslips once assigned.

Renewal and permit conditions

  1. When — Start renewal 1–2 months before expiry (cantonal offices get busy in September).
  2. University documents — Certificate of enrolment, transcript or progress report, proof of continued funding.
  3. Housing — Valid lease or student housing letter matching registered address.
  4. Insurance — Proof of basic health insurance for the next period.
  5. Change of canton or university — Notify both cantons; may require a new authorisation.

Part-time work while studying

  • EU/EFTA students: generally broader access — still respect permit text and university rules.
  • Non-EU students: typically max 15 hours/week during the semester and full-time during official holidays — confirm on your permit and with SEM.
  • Employer must report your employment; you need a Swiss bank account for payroll.
  • See the Work & Taxes guide for contracts and Quellensteuer withholding.

After graduation

  1. Job search — Some graduates obtain a temporary permit to seek employment; conditions are strict — plan early with career services.
  2. Work permit — Full-time employment usually requires an employer-sponsored permit (often Permit B or L linked to a contract).
  3. Leave Switzerland — If you do not obtain a new permit, deregister at the commune and leave before your permit lapses.

Expiry and loss of status

If your permit expires or you lose lawful stay
  • Before expiry: file renewal with the cantonal migration office — keep receipts.
  • Overstay: contact a migration lawyer; voluntary departure may reduce penalties.
  • Emergency: 144 medical, 117 police, 112 European emergency — they do not fix immigration status.

Last updated: May 2026 — SEM

University life

  • Calendar: Autumn semester often starts September; spring intake at some schools — check your institution.
  • Languages: Programmes in German, French, Italian, or English — language requirements vary (B2/C1 or IELTS/TOEFL).
  • ECTS: Credits aligned with Bologna system; mobility via swissuniversities.
  • Tuition: CHF 500–2,000/year at many public universities for foreigners in some cantons; private schools higher — verify your programme.
  • Student card: Semester ticket discounts on public transport in many cantons.

Last updated: May 2026 — State Secretariat for Education

Next step: housing dossiers and deposits — see the Housing & Rent guide.

Insufficient Funds

Strict financial means control — update consistent statements.

Quick reference

Non-EU: study permit with financial proof and insurance. EU: simplified procedure but mandatory cantonal registration. ETH/EPFL/HES universities require hard timelines.

  • Account blocked or proof of funds often required for visa
  • Permit issued by the canton, not only the municipality
  • Insurance: mandatory within 3 months of residency
  • Part-time work: hours limit for study leave

Universities and pathways

The university system

Varies by city or federal state

Cantonal universities low taxes but high cost of living. HES for Applied. Course language = German/French/English depending on location.

Correspondence

Admission to dossier; recognition of previous diploma via university office.

  • ETH
  • EPFL
  • USI

First documents

  • Passport + permit or confirmation required
  • LEASE AGREEMENT
  • Proof of insurance or question
  • CHF account
  • Cantonal migration photos and forms

Registration and permit

Gemeinde Registration

Varies by city or federal state Moderate

Within cantonal terms. Bring contract and permit. Receive a certificate of domicile for bank and UNI.

Deep dive (optional)

Go deeper

Operational detail and official links—amounts and deadlines change; always confirm on the competent portal before filing or paying.

Permits & SEM

Residence permits (B / C / L …)

Quotas, renewals, and conditions are cantonal and purpose-specific (study, work, family). Book migration-office slots early and keep receipts.

Communal registration

Register your address within local deadlines at the residents’ office (Gemeinde / contrôle des habitants).

Social-security number

Your AHVN13 is used for AHV/IV and many employer processes; banking uses a Swiss CH IBAN.

Digital identity

SwissID / eIAM

Federated login for cantonal portals and insurers—coverage differs by canton.

FDFA (visas)

Passports, visas, and representations for entry from abroad.

Study & diploma recognition

swissuniversities

Overview of higher education institutions and admissions—always confirm with your university.

Foreign qualifications

Federal guidance on recognition pathways.

Canton & commune

Many rules (housing tax, semester tickets, local fees) are set at canton or city level—check your cantonal portal alongside SEM and ch.ch.

Note

This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.

Sources · Last verified: 2026-05

Trusted sources we used for this content

Swiss federal and EU sources: Eurostat, ch.ch, the State Secretariat for Migration, the Federal Tax Administration, and the Federal Chancellery. Many rules are cantonal—check the competent office.