Planning to study at SBS Swiss Business School? Find essential information about admission requirements, student visas, accommodation, and student life in Switzerland. Everything you need to prepare for your next chapter with confidence.
Entry and Student Visa Requirements
Before beginning your studies in Switzerland, you may need to arrange accommodation, health insurance, entry authorization, and a residence permit. The requirements depend on your nationality and individual circumstances.
Students are responsible for checking the applicable Swiss immigration requirements and completing the necessary procedures before traveling to Switzerland.
Students from outside the EU/EFTA may require a student visa to enter Switzerland for study purposes. We strongly recommend checking the requirements and starting the application process as early as possible.
Visa processing normally takes 6–12 weeks. Applicants should allow up to three months, as processing times may vary depending on individual circumstances and the relevant Swiss authorities.
Students must also complete the required residence registration procedures after arriving in Switzerland, generally within 14 days.
Please note that admission to SBS Swiss Business School does not guarantee the approval of a Swiss student visa. Visa decisions are made by the relevant Swiss authorities.
For detailed information about visa requirements, application procedures, and supporting documents, please refer to our Visa and Residence Permit Guidelines.
For additional guidance, contact our Admissions Team at [email protected].
Everything you need to know
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Find answers to common questions about admission requirements, student visas, and studying in Zurich, Switzerland.
Please note that immigration and residence permit requirements may vary depending on the Swiss canton where you plan to live or study.
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.
Generally, no. A tourist visa does not authorize you to study in Switzerland. Students who require a visa for long-term studies must apply for the appropriate student visa before entering Switzerland.
Please contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country of residence for information about the applicable visa and residence permit requirements.
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 submitting your student visa application at the end of May or beginning of June. Applications submitted earlier may be placed on hold by the Zurich Migration Office until June.
However, we strongly encourage you to schedule an appointment with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country well in advance to ensure you can submit your application within the recommended timeframe.
Please note that visa processing times may vary depending on your nationality and individual circumstances.
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.
International students may be permitted to work part-time while studying in Switzerland, depending on their nationality and residence permit status.
During the semester, eligible students may work up to 15 hours per week. Full-time employment may be permitted during official semester breaks, subject to applicable regulations.
Students from non-EU/EFTA countries (including the UK) may generally apply for permission to work only after completing six months of their studies in Switzerland. Their employer must apply for authorization from the relevant cantonal authority, and SBS must confirm that the employment will not interfere with their studies.
Students from EU/EFTA countries are subject to different employment and registration requirements.
All employment must comply with Swiss immigration and labor regulations. Students are advised to check their eligibility with the relevant cantonal authorities before accepting employment.
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.
Only a limited number of countries, such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Costa Rica, and Pakistan, may not have banks included on the FINMA list.
If your country has banks on the FINMA list, you are required to open an account with one of these banks in your home country.
If no bank in your country appears on the list, please contact the SBS Admissions Team for guidance on the available alternatives.
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 accommodation (+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.
Health insurance is mandatory for most people residing in Switzerland. International students who are required to obtain Swiss health insurance must generally arrange coverage within three months of taking up residence. However, certain exemptions may apply depending on your country of origin, insurance coverage, and individual circumstances.
Health Insurance for EU Citizens
Students from EU/EFTA countries and the United Kingdom who remain covered by their home country's social security system and do not work in Switzerland may not need to obtain Swiss health insurance.
- Health Insurance for Non-EU Citizens
Students from countries outside the EU/EFTA and the United Kingdom are generally required to obtain Swiss health insurance unless they qualify for an exemption.
If Swiss health insurance is required, students can choose from authorized Swiss insurance providers. Monthly premiums vary depending on factors such as age, place of residence, insurance provider, deductible, and insurance model.
All authorized Swiss health insurers provide the same legally defined benefits under mandatory basic health insurance, although premiums and insurance models may differ.
To compare Swiss health insurance providers and premiums, visit www.comparis.ch.
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: www.comparis.com
Swiss Post offers a wide range of services, including sending and receiving letters and parcels, purchasing stamps, and accessing selected financial services. Post office opening hours vary by location, with some branches offering extended hours or Saturday service.
For information about postal services, current prices, and opening hours, visit the official Swiss Post website: www.post.ch.
Receiving and Sending Mail
To receive mail in Switzerland, you must have a valid postal address, and your name should be clearly displayed on your mailbox. If you are staying at someone else's address and your name is not displayed on the mailbox, you should use a "c/o" (care of) address to ensure that your mail is delivered correctly.
Swiss Post offers two main delivery options for standard letters within Switzerland: A Mail: Delivery on the next working day, including Saturdays and B Mail: Delivery within a maximum of three working days, Monday through Friday.
Postal rates depend on the size and weight of the item. As of October 2026, the rates for a standard letter (up to 100 grams) within Switzerland
When arriving in Switzerland, you can choose between a prepaid SIM card and a monthly mobile subscription.
Prepaid SIM Cards
A prepaid SIM card is a flexible option, particularly for international students who have recently arrived in Switzerland. You can purchase a SIM card from a mobile provider, an authorized retailer, or online, without committing to a long-term subscription.
To register your SIM card, you will generally need a valid passport or identity card. Some providers may also accept a Swiss residence permit.
You can easily top up your credit online, through your provider's mobile app, or at selected kiosks, supermarkets, and other retail outlets.
Mobile Subscriptions
Monthly mobile subscriptions may offer better value if you regularly use mobile data, make calls, or travel internationally.
Before signing a contract, check the provider's identification requirements, minimum contract duration, cancellation notice period, and any additional fees.
Mobile Providers in Switzerland
Several mobile providers offer prepaid SIM cards and monthly subscriptions. You can compare their offers and find further information on their official websites:
- Swisscom: https://www.swisscom.ch
- Sunrise: https://www.sunrise.ch
- Salt: https://www.salt.ch
- Lebara: https://www.lebara.ch
- M-Budget Mobile: https://www.m-budget-mobile.ch
- GoMo: https://www.go-mo.ch/
- Wingo: https://www.wingo.ch
- yallo: https://www.yallo.ch
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