In this guide
Which route applies to your child?
EU/EFTA CITIZENS
Including French citizens
No entry visa is needed. A degree-length stay requires residence formalities: prepare admission, funding and insurance evidence, then register locally within 14 days of moving.
OTHER NATIONALITIES
Check the route before travel
Check cantonal residence authorisation requirements before departure. Ask the responsible Swiss representation whether a national D visa is needed. Visa-free entry for a visit does not establish permission to live in Switzerland for a degree.
Put the key dates in one place.
- 01
During applications
Start the housing search
Compare living arrangements and residence application windows. Some residences accept applications before admission; confirm cancellation terms before committing.
- 02
As soon as the offer allows
Prepare the entry formalities
Obtain the required study and funding documents. ETH recommends visa applications at least three months before travel for Zurich; this is advance-planning guidance, not a guaranteed processing time.
- 03
Before departure
Confirm the arrival plan
Check entry documents, housing terms, key collection and orientation dates together. Keep a local contact and copies of the essential documents available.
- 04
Within 14 days
Complete local registration
SEM sets this deadline for EU/EFTA students. ETH gives the same deadline for its international degree students in Zurich. Confirm your municipality's appointment and document requirements.
- 05
Within 3 months
Resolve health insurance
Arrange Swiss cover or confirm the applicable student exemption with the canton. Timely insurance is generally backdated to residence start, including premiums.
Choose the living arrangement first.
| Option | Confirm before committing |
|---|---|
| Institution-arranged housing | Is the room confirmed? Are meals, cleaning and utilities included? What happens during holidays or placements? |
| Student residence | Is your child eligible? When do applications open? Which spaces are shared, and how long is the lease? |
| Private studio or apartment | What is the door-to-door commute? Is it furnished? Which guarantees and charges apply? Who handles maintenance? |
- Get the full rent, charges and deposit arrangements in writing.
- Confirm the provider's identity, lease dates and cancellation terms.
- Ask what happens if travel or enrolment is delayed; a refund is not automatic.
Know who handles each step.
| Who | Their role |
|---|---|
| Your family and the student | Choose the living arrangement, provide documents, approve contracts and payments, and attend appointments. |
| University or school | Issue study documents and explain enrolment, orientation and available student services. |
| Authorities and providers | Decide immigration permissions and insurance exemptions; confirm accommodation contracts and availability. |
| SwissAdmissions, when agreed | Clarify practical steps and help explore accommodation options as additional guidance alongside admissions. |
Your family's arrival folder
- Identity documents and any required entry authorisation.
- Admission or enrolment confirmation and requested funding evidence.
- Accommodation contract and key-collection contact.
- Insurance documents and local registration instructions.
YOUR FAMILY, OUR ATTENTION
A clearer plan. Fewer loose ends.
We can discuss arrival and accommodation guidance alongside your child's admissions plan, then agree which additional support would make the transition easier for your family.
Schedule a call with a counselorOfficial sources checked on . Examples apply to the programmes, fee periods and circumstances stated. We confirm the details relevant to your child when building their plan.