EU / EFTA
Steps
- Admission from a Swiss school.
- Travel — ID or passport.
- Registration — Within 14 days at the residents’ office.
- Permit B (study) — Canton issues after you show enrollment and means of support.
- Insurance — EHIC may need a formal exemption locally.
Non-EU
Steps
- Admission.
- Funds — Often about CHF 21,000/year; some cantons require funds in a Swiss bank before approval.
- Pledge to leave — Written commitment to depart after studies.
- Embassy submission — Canton decides (often 8–12 weeks).
- Visa D + arrival — Register within 14 days and collect Permit B.
Checklist
- Passport, visa forms, photos, admission, financial proof, motivation/pledge, CV, transcripts.
Official links
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
Study & diploma recognition
swissuniversities
Overview of higher education institutions and admissions—always confirm with your university.
Many rules (housing tax, semester tickets, local fees) are set at canton or city level—check your cantonal portal alongside SEM and ch.ch.
This block complements the guide with institutional entry points—not legal or tax advice.