With a valid Schengen permit
Students from Non-EU/EFTA countries with a valid residence permit from a Schengen state are exempt from the visa requirement. However, they must present the same documents as students requiring a visa.
In principle, you are allowed to enter Switzerland and apply for your residence permit at your new place of residence within 14 days of your arrival.
To enter Switzerland without a visa, citizens of Non-EU/EFTA countries must carry the following documents with them:
- a valid and recognised travel document
- a valid residence permit of a Schengen country or a valid D visa of a Schengen country
However, for the Canton of Zurich, it is recommended that you apply for a visa or an assurance of a residence permit ("Zusicherung zur Aufenthaltsbewilligung") 2-3 months before the expected date of entry.
Documents
To apply for an assurance, submit the same documents as students with a visa requirement to the Zurich Migration Office via their external page contact form.
Additionally, the following documents must also be submitted:
- external page the application for an entry permit, 1st page (instead of the visa form)
- your valid Schengen permit or D visa of a Schengen country
IMPORTANT: If you have any questions or queries regarding the procedure for entering Switzerland with a Schengen permit, please always contact the external page Migration Office Zurich directly.
Submit the external page listed documents (under section "Submission of an application") in one PDF via external page contact form (only available in German) to the Migration Office of Basel-Stadt.
IMPORTANT: If you have any questions or queries regarding the procedure for entering Switzerland with a Schengen permit, please always contact the external page Migration Office Basel-Stadt directly.