National Visa D for Study Purposes Checklist

Document funds available for your studies and living costs, including sponsor evidence where applicable. Use the amount and acceptable evidence required by your canton and competent representation; CHF21,000 is not established here as a nationwide annual minimum.

Student Visa checklist, April 2026, item 7; cantonal authorisation

Official Swiss government guidance confirms that applicants for a student visa must provide evidence of sufficient funds to cover their stay.

Provide confirmation of admission or registration from the Swiss educational institution. Follow your competent Swiss representation's checklist and cantonal requirements; the US representation's document-copy rules are not universal.

Student Visa checklist, April 2026, item 5; cantonal authorisation

For a Geneva non-EU/EFTA student residence-permit application, provide a CV, motivation letter explaining plans after study, detailed study plan and lease/accepted landlord attestation. Geneva also lists a criminal-record extract and a written departure commitment, except the latter for students at institutions covered by HEdA article 2(2). Notify school/orientation changes to OCPM for a new application. Follow other cantons' own evidence rules; Geneva forms are not nationwide forms.

For a Geneva non-EU/EFTA student residence-permit application, provide a CV, motivation letter explaining plans after study, detailed study plan and lease/accepted landlord attestation. Geneva also lists a criminal-record extract and a written departure commitment, except the latter for students at institutions covered by HEdA article2(2). Notify school/orientation changes to OCPM for a new application. Follow other cantons' own evidence rules; Geneva forms are not nationwide forms.

Terms and Attachments; page updated 11 March 2025, retrieved 14 October 2026

Any change of school or orientation is subject to a new application

Only when applying through a competent Swiss representation in the USA: provide three signed national D visa forms, three recent identical passport photos and three passport/travel-document copies. Non-US applicants provide two notarized copies of qualifying US residence evidence. B1/B2 visitors apply in their country of residence. For applicants under 18, both parents sign; include their passport copies and applicable custody documents. These copy counts and jurisdiction rules are not worldwide requirements.

Only when applying through a competent Swiss representation in the USA: provide three signed national D visa forms, three recent identical passport photos and three passport/travel-document copies. Non-US applicants provide two notarized copies of qualifying US residence evidence. B1/B2 visitors apply in their country of residence. For applicants under18, both parents sign; include their passport copies and applicable custody documents. These copy counts and jurisdiction rules are not worldwide requirements.

US representations Student Visa, April 2026, jurisdiction note and items 1–4

US-representation jurisdiction and application evidence; document quantities are specific to this April 2026 checklist.

If a non-EU/EFTA student at a Swiss university or university of applied sciences plans supplementary work, obtain cantonal approval through the employer. SEM's current FAQ permits ordinary supplementary work no earlier than six months after course start, up to 15 hours weekly outside holidays. The university confirms compatibility and no delayed completion; pay and conditions must comply. This is not an automatic visa benefit and does not apply the third-country waiting period to EU/EFTA students. Separate internship/special-category rules require separate review.

If a non-EU/EFTA student at a Swiss university or university of applied sciences plans supplementary work, obtain cantonal approval through the employer. SEM's current FAQ permits ordinary supplementary work no earlier than six months after course start, up to15hours weekly outside holidays. The university confirms compatibility and no delayed completion; pay and conditions must comply. This is not an automatic visa benefit and does not apply the third-country waiting period to EU/EFTA students. Separate internship/special-category rules require separate review.

Non EU/EFTA nationals / Stays for professional training / studying in parallel; updated 5 July 2026

the competent cantonal authorities may approve a supplementary activity