Visa Requirements & Procedures

Visa Requirements, Procedures and Student Permit:

In order to help you prepare for your arrival in Switzerland, the following guidelines will take you through the necessary administrative steps regarding your entry and stay in Geneva.

The Geneva School of Diplomacy will have a special session for all new students during the first or second week of your enrolment about the exact procedure, what documents to deliver to the Swiss Authorities and which forms you need to fill out.

However, citizens of some countries do need to take pre-emptive steps before their arrival in Switzerland. Therefore, please read the requirements carefully and get in touch with the Swiss Representations in your country of origin if necessary. (Swiss Representations in the world)

This document provides a list of countries with visa requirements for entering Switzerland:

If you are an EU-citizen:
You can enter and stay in Switzerland without any visa requirements for three months. However, as a student, you need to register within the first three months upon your arrival in Geneva at the local Immigration Office (Office Cantonal de la Population, OCP) for a student permit (permis B).

If you are not an EU citizen:
You need to check whether your country has specific via requirements for entering Switzerland. Some countries outside the EU do not need an entry visa (e.g. USA), others have strict requirements before the arrival in the Schengen zone.

In order to be sure about your status, please again check this document on countries with visa requirements for entry into Switzerland.

If your country is listed among the countries that do require an entry visa, you can apply by downloading this form.

Out of experience, you are required to add a proof of the payment of at least the first trimester  tuition fees in order to obtain a student Visa.

For further information, please consult the following websites:
• Federal Department of Foreign Affairs
• Federal Office for Migration
 • Office Cantonal de la Population (Local Immigration Office)
• Swiss Representations in the world

Once you are in Switzerland:
GSD will guide you through the procedure at the beginning of your trimester. Every student has to register at the local Immigration Office (OCP, Office Cantonal de la Population) in persona within the first three month upon arrival. In order to have all the necessary documents ready, please check on the following forms what is required:

• Form UE 4 for EU citizens
• Form M4 for non-EU citizens
• Form E4 for study permit