Student Residence Permit
🇨🇭 Switzerland visas · Study
What it is
Switzerland has world-class universities (ETH Zurich, EPFL, and others). Non-EU/EEA students can work up to 15 hours per week after 6 months of residence.
Key facts
- Category
- Study
- Duration
- Duration of programme. Job-seeker permit available for 6 months after graduation.
- Processing time
- 8 weeks
- Maximum validity
- 1 year
- Extendable
- Yes
- Path to permanent residence
- Indirect route
- Dependants
- Conditional
- Work allowance
- 15 hours per week
- How to apply
- Embassy
- Health insurance
- Required
Standard figures for this route. Some applicants pay a reduced fee or none at all, so confirm your own case on the official page.
Fees
- Application fee (federal maximum; canton sets the actual fee)
- CHF 95
- Application fee (federal maximum (GebV-AIG Art. 8(2)(a)))
- CHF 22
- Application fee (federal maximum (GebV-AIG Art. 8(3)(a)))
- CHF 20
Key requirements
- Unconditional acceptance from a recognised Swiss educational institution
- Proof of financial means: CHF 21,000 per year
- Health insurance covering Switzerland
- Accommodation in Switzerland
- Compelling reasons to study in Switzerland (assessed by authorities)
Working on this visa
Side work permitted at the earliest 6 months after the start of studies, max 15 hours/week outside holidays, with the school's confirmation (VZAE Art. 38).
Bringing family
Spouse and children of a residence-permit holder may be admitted if they live together, housing is adequate and no social assistance is needed (AIG Art. 44).
After this visa
Holders of a Swiss university degree may stay 6 months to seek work (AIG Art. 21(3)).
Money you must show
Sufficient financial means required (AIG Art. 27).
Facts checked against the official source. Last updated 18 July 2026.