Residence permit
You are responsible for the validity of your permit throughout your entire stay.
General information
- You need a residence permit if you stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days (regardless of your citizenship or visa requirements).
- You must apply for the permit in person within 14 days after moving to Switzerland at the Residents' Registration Office at your new place of residence.
- Your residence permit will be issued for the duration of your mobility stay as confirmed by ETH. This duration runs from the day you enter Switzerland. You should, therefore, not enter Switzerland before the start of your studies as confirmed by the ETH Student Exchange Office on the mobility confirmation ("confirmation of acceptance").
- The canton of Zurich requires all foreign nationals to have financial means of at least CHF 1750 per month for the entire duration of their stay in Switzerland. (exchange students usually don’t have to provide proof)
- Students from non-EU/EFTA countries who already live in another canton in Switzerland, apply for a change of canton 8-12 weeks before planned arrival in Zurich or for a weekly residence upon arrival.
Registering within the city of Zurich
- Please external page book an appointment online to register at the Residents' Registration Office (Personenmeldeamt Zürich).
- Please note the address in the confirmation!
Registering outside the city of Zurich
- Search for "Anmeldung Zuzug + name of your new place of residency" and you will find the right place for the registration.
- Usually no appointment is needed, note the opening hours.
Documents
You will need the following documents printed out to apply for your residence permit. You can use the print services for students.
Documents from ETH
- Log in to myStudies > Functions > Download PDF > Download extended confirmation of matriculation. Please note that the "Standard" confirmation of matriculation is not accepted.
- Confirmation letter "Gesuch um Aufenthaltsbewilligung" (i.e. application for residence permit). You have already received this letter via email (subject: Residence permit). You find it also as a download in Mobility-Online. Open Mobility-Online and print out of "Gesuch um Aufenthaltsbewilligung".
Personal documents and fees
- Valid passport or identity card (EU/EFTA)
- Visa authorization from Swiss representation abroad (non-EU/EFTA countries if available)
- Students from European countries: European Health Insurance Card
- If available, your rental agreement (exception Dübendorf & Zollikon: Bringing your rental agreement is mandatory.)
- Administrative fee*: CHF 40 per adult
- Possible issuing fee* for the residence permit: CHF 80 (EU countries), CHF 142 (non-EU countries)
*Thefees are determined by the responsible authority, according to your student status. The Student Exchange Office provides no warranty for the correctness of the above-mentioned fees.
You are required by Swiss law to register in person within 14 days of your arrival in Switzerland. As booking an appointment for registration in the city of Zurich is necessary, it is advised that you take care of this before you arrive.
Upon your registration, you will receive an appointment with the Migration Office (canton of Zurich) to provide biometric data. A few weeks later, you will receive your residence permit by registered mail. Make sure your name is written on your letterbox. If you are not home when delivered, pick it up at the post office in time (!) using the yellow receipt you will find in your letterbox. If you do not get your permit until six weeks after your registration, ask about it at the Migration Office.
You must register any change of address in the city of Zurich within 14 days. You can do this at any of the three residents' registration office.
You will need the approval of the Student Exchange Office to extend your permit. After you have received the permission, you can apply for an extension at any of the three residents' registration offices.
Deregistration in person prior to your departure is mandatory. You can do this at any of the three residents' registration offices.
Should you need a deregistration confirmation e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, please request it (and pay for it).
Within 14 days, you must register at the appropriate residents' registration office “Einwohnermeldeamt” (usually possible without a booked appointment). Check the website of your place of residence to be sure.
Before you leave Switzerland: Should you need a deregistration confirmation e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, please request it (and pay for it) at the respective office.
Note:
- Upon your registration, you will receive an appointment with the Immigration Office (canton of Zurich) to provide biometric data. A few weeks later, you will receive your residence permit. If you do not get your permit until six weeks after your registration, external page ask for it personally at the Migration Office.
- If you intend to stay longer and have received the approval of the Student Exchange Office to do so, you applying for an extension at the same office is mandatory.
- Deregistration in person prior to your departure at the same office is mandatory. Ask the residents' registration office if you need to do this in person. Should you need a deregistration confirmation e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, please request it (and pay for it) at the respective office.
Note:
- Upon your registration, you will receive an appointment with the Immigration Office (canton of Zurich) to provide biometric data. A few weeks later, you will receive your residence permit. If you do not get your permit until six weeks after your registration, external page ask for it personally at the Migration Office.
- If you intend to stay longer and have received the approval of the Student Exchange Office to do so, you applying for an extension at the same office is mandatory.
- Deregistration in person prior to your departure at the same office is mandatory. Ask the residents' registration office if you need to do this in person. Should you need a deregistration confirmation e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, please request it (and pay for it) at the respective office.
Note:
- Upon your registration, you will receive an appointment with the Immigration Office (canton of Zurich) to provide biometric data. A few weeks later, you will receive your residence permit. If you do not get your permit until six weeks after your registration, external page ask for it personally at the Migration Office.
- If you intend to stay longer and have received the approval of the Student Exchange Office to do so, you applying for an extension at the same office is mandatory.
- Deregistration in person prior to your departure at the same office is mandatory. Ask the residents' registration office if you need to do this in person. Should you need a deregistration confirmation e.g. to cancel your Swiss health insurance contract, please request it (and pay for it) at the respective office.