Visa and residence permit papers

Visa and residence permit Things to keep in mind when planning your stay 

In this segment, you will learn who needs a visa, how to apply for one and how to get a residence permit to stay in Switzerland.

See below whether you need a visa to come to Switzerland. Please note that, while the HSLU can offer practical support in the visa application process, it has no influence on the outcome. In Switzerland, the cantonal migration offices are responsible for processing visa applications.

Depending on your nationality and prospective canton of residence, different processes apply:

“No-visa EU/EFTA country, prospective place of residence: Canton of Lucerne” process°

If you have citizenship of an EU/EFTA member state, you don’t have to do anything before entering Switzerland and the Canton of Lucerne. 

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However, you are obliged to register with the residents' register office of your community of residence within 14 days after arrival. The residents' register office will charge a fee for the registration and associated documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs.

After registering with the residents' register office, you must send certain documents directly to the Lucerne Office for Migration to apply for a residence permit. For details, you may consult this checklist.

“No-visa EU/EFTA country, prospective place of residence: Canton of Zug” process°

If you have citizenship of an EU/EFTA member state, you don’t have to do anything before entering Switzerland and the Canton of Zug. 

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However, upon arrival in the Canton of Zug you must send certain documents to the Zug Office for Migration by mail to apply for a residence permit.

The residents' register office will charge a fee for the registration and associated documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs. For details, you may consult this checklist.

“No-visa third country, prospective place of residence: Canton of Lucerne” process°

This process applies for citizens of the following countries:

  • Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, United Kingdom
  • Citizens of third countries with a valid residence permit in a Schengen member country.
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While you will be able to enter Switzerland without a visa, you must produce the same documents as students who need a visa when applying for a residence permit. The difference is that you won’t have to stay in your country until the permit has been granted; you can enter Switzerland straight away. Get in touch with the International Office or Secretariat of your School early in the process to discuss your next steps in detail.

The residents' register office will charge a fee for the registration and associated documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs. For details, you may consult this checklist.

“No-visa third country, prospective place of residence: Canton of Zug” process°

This process applies for citizens of the following countries:

  • Japan, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, Australia, Brunei, United Kingdom
  • Citizens of third countries with a valid residence permit in a Schengen member country.
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To obtain an entry visa for Switzerland, you must submit the following documents to the Zug Office for Migration by email before your arrival in Switzerland.

A fee will be charged for the documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs. For details, consult this checklist.

Information on the visa and residence permit process can also be found here. 

“Third country with visa requirement, prospective place of residence: Canton of Lucerne” process°

Students from countries requiring a visa must apply for a “D” residence permit (for long-term and regulated stays in Switzerland of more than 90 days) at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country at least three months before entering Switzerland.

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The documents on our checklist must be submitted along with the application. The contents of the checklist comply with the requirements of the Migration Office. Please note that failing to enclose even one of the documents listed may cause significant delay. If the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country asks for additional documents, please enclose those, too.

The residents' register office will charge a fee for the registration and associated documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs. For details, you may consult this checklist.

You must await the decision on your visa application in your home country. Under no circumstances should you enter Switzerland with a tourist visa. Once in the country, your tourist visa cannot be converted into a residence permit. 

“Third country with visa requirement, prospective place of residence: Canton of Zug” process°

Students from countries requiring a visa must apply for a “D” residence permit (for long-term and regulated stays in Switzerland of more than 90 days) at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country at least three months before entering Switzerland.

more

The documents on our checklist must be submitted along with the application. The contents of the checklist comply with the requirements of the Migration Office. Please note that failing to enclose even one of the documents listed may cause significant delay. If the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country asks for additional documents, please enclose those, too.

The residents' register office will charge a fee for the registration and associated documents. Please note that the HSLU will not bear the costs. For details, you may consult this checklist.

You must await the decision on your visa application in your home country. Under no circumstances should you enter Switzerland with a tourist visa. Once in the country, your tourist visa cannot be converted into a residence permit. 

°The information on this website has been published for information purposes only and is subject to change without notice. The underlying rules and regulations may have changed since this information was last reviewed. You can find the relevant rules and regulations on the website of the Office for Migration/residents’ register office responsible for your visa and/or residence permit.