After Entering Switzerland

If you are staying in Switzerland for a period longer than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit. Within 14 days of your arrival, you are required to report in person to the local Residents’ Registration Office of your municipality. In the City of Zurich, this is called "Personenmeldeamt" and is the city hall ("Stadthaus") of the city of Zurich. Registration can be made upon appointment only (see link below).

In the registration confirmation you will find the address of the responsible registration office and details of the required documents. Please cancel or postpone your appointment if you are unable to attend.  If you don’t live in the city of Zurich, please register at the registration office ("Einwohnerkontrolle") at your place of residence.

Book appointment (City of Zurich)

Following registration, all newcomers will be asked to make an appointment at the Migration Office of Canton Zurich for the registration of their biometric identification. 

You should take the following documents to the registration:
EU/EFTA

1. Valid passport or identity card
2. Proof of enrolment
   (you will receive this confirmation from the Admissions Office after you have enrolled)
3. Rental agreement
4. Proof of sufficient financial means. Deemed to be acceptable proof is:
   1. An own bank statement or
   2. Confirmation from your parents that they will finance you during your studies
5. CHF 40.- (registration fee)
6. CHF 70.- (fee for identification card)

Non-EU/EFTA

1. Valid passport with visa
2. Proof of enrolment
   (you will receive this confirmation from the Admissions Office after you have enrolled)
3. Rental agreement
4. CHF 40.- (registration fee)
5. CHF 142.- (fee for identification card)

§ Please Note: The information given on this page is for information purposes only and holds no guarantee for complete accuracy. The regulations on which this information is based may have changed since these guidelines were last reviewed. For legally binding information, please consult the website of the Federal Office for Migration or contact the Swiss embassy in your country of origin. §

Residence permits are generally issued for one year and can then be extended for as long as your studies last.

Please note that whenever you wish to extend your residence permit, you will be required to submit renewed proof of sufficient financial means and your Confirmation of Matriculation (Immatrikulationsbestätigung). In contrast to the proof-of-matriculation vouchers (Studienbescheinigung), which you receive by regular mail upon paying your semester fees, the Confirmation of Matriculation contains additional information on how many ECTS credits you have earned so far and whether they have already been counted toward a degree. You can order a Confirmation of Matriculation at the Student Administration Office; the cost is five Swiss francs. The Migration Office will not accept a proof-of-matriculation voucher when you apply to extend your residence permit. Attached you can see samples of the documents:

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Confirmation of Matriculation

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Proof-of-Matriculation Voucher

Students from non-EU/EFTA countries are permitted to stay in Switzerland for study purposes for a maximum total of 8 years. This includes staying on as a doctoral candidate or as a postdoctoral researcher.

All students are legally required to take out health insurance in Switzerland.

More information can be found on the following website:
Finances

A few days before you leave Switzerland you should de-register at the Residents' Registration Office (Personenmeldeamt). You can do so 30 days before your departure at the earliest. 

Please take your passport (or ID card for EU/EFTA nationals) and your residence permit with you. You will receive a confirmation of your notice of departure for CHF 20.-. If you have taken out a Swiss health insurance you will need this confirmation to cancel it.