Planning to study with us? Explore essential information on entry requirements, student visas, accommodation options, and life on campus. Get ready for an exciting academic experience in Switzerland.
Entry and student visa
Before you can start your studies in Switzerland, you have to make various arrangements with regard to accommodation, insurance, entry and residence. The conditions depend on your country of origin/nationality. It is the student or prospective student’s responsibility to get information on the entry formalities in due time and make the necessary arrangements.
Most nationals from countries outside the European Union/ European Economic Area need a visa to enter Switzerland for study purposes. It is very important to check the immigration requirements early enough. After you submit the application it usually takes around 3 months for the visa to actually be issued! Please use the following link to learn more about the visa application process for international students
Everything you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about admission requirements, visa applications, and studying in Zurich. Keep in mind that other cantons may have different requirements.
On the website of the SEM (State Secretariat for Migration), you will find an alphabetical list of countries. Click on the first letter of your country. This list is always up to date and provides reliable information on whether you need a visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
Yes, the nationality is decisive, not the current residence permit.
No, that is impossible. Please note that it illegal to start your studies on a tourist visa.
Yes, the visa only entitles you to enter Switzerland. Within two weeks of entering Switzerland, you must apply for a residence permit at the local residents’ registration office (in Zurich: the «Kreisbüro»). This is normally valid for one year and can be extended if your studies take longer. When you renew your residence permit, you must provide proof of your financial status (CHF 21,000 on your bank account).
We recommend not to apply for the visa before the end of May/beginning of June. If you apply too early, the Zurich Migration Office will not approve the visa immediately but will have it held pending until sometime in June. However, it is advisable to make an appointment with the relevant Swiss embassy in your home country early enough to ensure that you can actually submit your application on the date you wish.
Embassies usually do not forward original certificates to Switzerland with the visa application but they may want to inspect the originals during your visa appointment. If you no longer have the originals, ask the embassy whether they are mandatory (most embassies accept copies). If the embassy insists on the originals, please contact the International Student Support.
Yes, unless the original documents are in English (although the official language in Zurich is German, the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich usually also accepts English documents). If your certificates are in another language (e.g. Chinese), then you should have them translated into German (not English).
The embassies have to provide a list that is valid for all 26 cantons in Switzerland (they all have slightly different requirements), If the embassy requires additional documents which are not on the SBS Check list, hand in these to.
During the semester, you may accept a paid part-time job of no more than 15 hours a week. Full-time employment is permitted during the lecture-free period. However, in both cases, your employer will have to apply for your work permit at the cantonal Office for Economy and Labour (“Amt für Wirtschaft und Arbeit” – AWA) if you come from a non-EU country (including the UK). This is only possible once you have received your residence permit!
The form will only be sent to you by the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich if you included no or insufficient financial proof with your visa application.
There are only very few countries where there is not a single bank that is on the Finma List (e.g. Iran, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, Pakistan). All other students have to open an account with a bank from this list in their home country.
No. Financial proof is a must unless you have a relative or acquaintance that will provide a financial guarantee for you.
No, this is not accepted. You must be the account holder. A joint account of you and a parent can be accepted if both names are mentioned as the account holder. Most students have to open a new account in their home country in order to meet the requirements of the Zurich Migration Office.
Important Note
If the student intends to follow the educational programs at SBS Swiss Business School for immigration purposes, it is the SOLE responsibility of the student or prospective student to check if the country of origin/destination accepts our educational programs. Immigration legislation is complex and changes on a regular basis, it is, therefore, the sole responsibility of the student or prospective student to check with specialized lawyers in this matter. SBS Swiss Business School does not take any responsibility in this matter.
The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact the respective authorities.
Student Accommodation
Your home away from home
Relocation Support in Zurich
Moving to a new country is an exciting step, and SBS Swiss Business School is here to support you beyond the classroom.
To help make your transition to Switzerland as smooth as possible, SBS collaborates with trusted relocation partners who can assist students with accommodation, local registration, and settling into life in Zurich.
Our relocation partners include:
Keller Swiss Group Ltd.
Packimpex Ltd.
Explore housing options in Zurich
From student residences to shared apartments and hotels, find the perfect home for your studies.
How much should I pay for student housing in Switzerland?
The amount you need to pay for student accommodation in Switzerland depends on the size of the accommodation, privacy and proximity to the university. Generally, a room in shared accommodation in Zurich costs between 600 and 800 Swiss francs per month, while private accommodation costs around 900 to 1500 Swiss francs per month.
Where can I find student housing in Switzerland?
Before you enroll at the university, you should make sure where you will live before you apply for a visa. It is advisable to start looking for housing as soon as you have received a place to study. There are several organizations you can apply to for housing, and each offers different types of housing to suit your needs.
SBS Swiss Business School doesn’t offer any dormitories or housing options on campus and all SBS students rent their own private or shared accommodation in close proximity to the institution either in Kloten or in Zurich areas.
For long term accomodation (+1 month)
The housing system in Switzerland is slightly different from what you might be used to in your home country: Swiss universities do not usually have on-campus housing. Instead, students often organize themselves in flat-sharing communities (“WG” or “Wohngemeinschaft”), with several people renting a flat together and sharing the rent. For new incoming foreign students with no acquaintances in Zurich, it can be difficult to find a flat to share. it is best to start looking as soon as possible before the start of the semester.
Explore housing options in Zurich
From student residences to shared apartments and hotels, find the perfect home for your studies.
Student guide for Living in Zurich
Essential tips on transport, insurance, and daily life to help you settle in and enjoy the city.
Apart from walking or cycling, getting around in the city center is most accessible by tram and bus. Daily services operate from 5:30 to midnight and run every 6 minutes at peak hours. For an additional fare, special night buses bring you home late on Friday and Saturday nights. Don’t worry if you are confused at first by the complicated Zurich area ticketing concept. The canton of Zurich is divided into different “zones,” and the price of your ticket depends on how many zones you cross to reach your final destination. The Tourist Information Desk in the Main Station is an excellent place to ask questions regarding the city and getting around in general. They will provide you with a map and give advice. Do not hesitate to ask the locals or your program manager if you do not understand how the ticket machine works. Most Swiss speak at least some basic English and are helpful. When looking for directions in general, use Google maps or the SBB or ZVV app.
If you will be commuting within the city of Zurich (zone 110), it is a good idea to buy a “ZVV Network Pass” for 2 zones (zone 110 counts double!). You can specify the starting date and buy the pass for 30 or 365 days. With a valid pass, you have unlimited use of all trams, buses, trains and even boats within the city at any time.
By Train— Half-Fare Card
Would you like to travel around Switzerland during your stay? Then you should consider buying a half-fare card (“HalbtaxAbo”). This card enables you to buy all your train tickets at half price (this does not apply to season tickets). You also enjoy discounts on many boat and bus routes, funicular railways and cable cars, and on local transport in many cities.
People living in Switzerland for more than 3 months are required to have health insurance for basic medical treatment in case of illness or an accident. However, procedures vary depending on where you come from:
Health Insurance for EU Citizens
Holders of a European Health Insurance Card and privately insured non-EU citizens whose insurer is recognized by the Swiss authorities (which is very rare) can apply for an exemption from the Swiss health insurance obligation.
Health Insurance for Non-EU Citizens
A few days after you have applied for your residence permit, the local health authority will ask you by letter to submit a form indicating which insurance company you have chosen. With premiums ranging from ca. CHF 200 to CHF 400 per month or even more, health insurance is extremely expensive in Switzerland. What may seem strange to foreigners is the fact that all health insurers provide exactly the same benefits under their obligatory insurance plans, but are free to define their prices. You can compare prices under:
We strongly recommend that you take out a personal liability insurance policy to cover any claims brought against you for damage or injury you may cause to other persons, material goods, or property. It also covers damage to rented apartments and student rooms. Such insurance is available from around CHF 100 per year for maximum coverage of CHF 5 million. Likewise recommendable is a comprehensive household policy covering theft/burglary, laptops, bicycles, etc. Insurance premiums from the leading providers in Switzerland may be compared on:
Most post offices are open from 7:30–18:00 Monday to Friday and from 9:00–12:00 on Saturday. In addition to mail services, post offices offer banking, telephone, and fax services. Zurich’s main post office is located near the central station, with special opening hours in the evenings and on weekends.
Receiving and Sending Post
To receive your post, you need to have an address and your name must appear in your apartment’s mailbox. It’s very simple: no name, no post! If you are staying in someone else’s apartment and only that person’s name is on the mailbox you will need to use a “c/o” address. The post is delivered once a day from Monday to Saturday. There are two postal categories for sending things within Switzerland: “A-post” (delivery the following day) and “B-post” (delivery within 3–4 working days). Postal costs depend on size and weight, but for a standard C5 letter of up to 100 grams, the current rates are CHF 1.00 (A-post) and CHF 0.85 (B-post).
A recommendation is to have a prepaid account: just go to any provider (see list below), buy a SIM card (with or without a phone), and load your account with a certain amount. You only need to bring along your ID card or passport. When your credit starts to run out simply reload your account at an ATM machine or buy a prepaid card at a kiosk or supermarket. Prepaid accounts are often cheaper than mobile subscriptions.
Please note that you will have to show your residence permit when requesting for a fixed-mobile subscription! You should also check in advance exactly how and when you may withdraw from the contract. Usually, this is only possible once a year! Some of the most common providers and their main shops in the city center are:
Migros City (m-electronics shop, 3rd floor)
Löwenstrasse 31–35, 8001 Zürich
Swisscom
www.swisscom.ch
Salt
www.salt.ch
Lebara
www.lebara.ch
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