Switzerland

British students do not require visas or residence permits for study or research visits up to 90 days within the 180 period. Furthermore, UK students can enter and complete the following activities in Switzerland:

• Tourism
• Visiting family or friends
• Attending business meetings, cultural or sports events
• Short-term studies or training

EU/EEA students do not need a visa/residence permit to study, work or reside in Switzerland.  However, you should always keep your passport or National ID card with you. Students from a non-visa waiver country will need to apply for a Schengen Visa for a duration of 90 days. Depending on your length of stay and nationality students from non-EU countries which need a visa will be required to apply for a Schengen Visa.

Non–EU/Non-EEA students will need to apply for a Schengen Visa if they are not from a non-visa waiver country for a duration of 90 days.

Source: Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days (admin.ch) Also known as Visa type C.

Gather Your Documents

• Visa application One completed application form (duly signed by the applicant)
• One photograph passport-size
• Passport (original) and copy of passport (including the signature page)
• UK residence permit (original) and copy of UK residence permit
• Proof of sufficient funds
• Travel arrangements
• Confirmed reservation of return ticket to the UK or onward travel such as confirmed overseas ticket
• Travel insurance from a UK or Schengen based company
• Students: Confirmation of enrolment from institution in the UK

Click here for a full list of documents.

How to Apply

Your visa application must be submitted in your country of residence. If you are a UK resident, it must be submitted to the Visa Application Centre TLScontact.

UK Student do not need an entry visa to Switzerland for short stays of 90 days. To study in Switzerland for more than 90 days students will need to apply for a Visa type D also known as a National Visa. You will need to specifically apply for a Student Permit.

Gather Your Documents

• 3 completed application forms (National type D)
• The form can be downloaded from the following website: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/einreise/visumantragsformular.html
• 3 passport-size photographs not older than 6 months and complying with the following requirements
• National passport or official travel document valid for more than 3 months beyond the validity of the requested visa, with at least two blank visa pages. (pages do not need to be consecutive)
• 2 copies of the passport including the signature page
• For International students · UK residence permit · 2 copies of the UK residence permit
• 2 copies of the curriculum vitae – note your intent to study in Switzerland
• 2 copies of the letter of acceptance from the institution in Switzerland
• Proof of payment of school fees
• 2 copies of the proof of payment of school fees
• Proof of financial resources (If sponsored, a signed and dated sponsorship letter must be provided along with a copy of the sponsor’s passport (including signature page) and their bank statements.)
• 2 copies of the proof of financial resources

Documents not in English, German, French, Italian or Spanish require an original certified translation original letter of acceptance from the institution in Switzerland.

For a full list of documents please click here.

How to Apply

UK Students should make an appointment through the TLS Contact to submit your national visa application to the Regional Consular Centre at the Embassy of Switzerland in London.

Long stay visa applications need to be submitted at the Swiss Regional Consular Centre. Appointments need to be booked at your nearest TLS Contact Centre. For further details click here.

Upon Arrival

Within the first 14 days of your initial entry you will have to declare your arrival at the Residents’ Registration Office at your place of residence. The study permit will be issued upon notification of your arrival in Switzerland.

EU Students do not need any further documentation to enter and reside in Switzerland.

UK Students who want to work in Switzerland will need to ask their employer for authorization to work. You can only apply for an entry permit once you have an authorization to work.

You should check with your nearest Embassy to check if you require a work permit to work in Switzerland or can complete work under the 90 visa free days in the Schengen region.

Non-EU/Non-EEA Students will need to apply for a Visa type C and maybe required to apply for a Work Permit.  Students who wish to work should make sure thier employer has applied for authorization to work at the relevant department in Switzerland.

Gather Your Documents

• authorisation issued by the cantonal authority (original or copy)
• application for a Visa type C
• a recent photograph
• visa fees

For a full list of documents please click here.

How to Apply

Students need to apply in person at the Regional Consular Centre in person. Please send an e-mail to london.visa@eda.admin.ch  in order to book an appointment.

UK Students who want to work in Switzerland will need to ask their employer for authorization to work. You can only apply for an entry permit once you have an authorization to work. 

Gather Your Documents

• authorisation issued by the cantonal authority (original or copy)
• application for a long stay visa (visa D)
• valid passport (original)
• a recent photograph
• visa fees

For a full list of documentation, please click here.

How to Apply

Students need to apply in person at the Regional Consular Centre in person. Please send an e-mail to london.visa@eda.admin.ch  in order to book an appointment.