3. Preparing the stay (before arrival)

If you already live in Switzerland, contact the Reception Service immediately with the following information:

• Date of arrival in Switzerland
• Residential address in Switzerland
• Copy of your residence permit (if not already uploaded in Mobility-Online)

Citizens of Switzerland, the European Union or EFTA states

• You do not require a visa for Switzerland and therefore need to do nothing in this regard before your arrival. 
• It is sufficient to show a valid passport or identity card and the confirmation of acceptance when entering Switzerland.

Citizens of other countries

• You must follow the FCS instructions to apply for your visa.
• Start your visa application immediately after you have confirmed your scholarship and received the information from FCS to apply for your visa. The Swiss representation responsible for your place of residence can be found here: external page Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.
• The process of obtaining a visa will take up to three months, so a timely application for your visa is essential.
• Do not enter Switzerland with a tourist visa. A tourist visa allows you to travel to Switzerland as a tourist for a short stay, but not to study and to take up residence. For this you need a national visa for a stay of more than 90 days.
• A copy of your official FCS notification letter should usually be sufficient to prove that you have been invited to Switzerland for your scholarship period. Although all the formalities for your admission as an FCS visiting student are completed before you receive a scholarship offer, you will receive your official admission letter later and will not have it with you when you apply for your visa.
• If the Swiss embassy or consulate abroad requires nevertheless a confirmation of your admission as an FCS visiting student at ETH Zurich or you run into other issues, contact the Reception Service and enclose the relevant email correspondence you have already had with the embassy / consulate.
• Any other question regarding the visa process must be addressed directly by the respective Swiss embassy / consulate abroad.

Visa for family members

• Be aware that you are responsible for completing the necessary entry formalities for your family members and to provide proof of sufficient financial resources. Neither the FCS nor the Reception Service can assist you with this. 
• In addition, you must also take care of related matters yourself (residence permit, accommodation, insurance cover, school enrolment of children, etc.) and ensure that all necessary measures are taken in good time.  

Plan for an arrival in Switzerland on 1 September at the earliest.

Should you consider an earlier entry date, note the following:

• Your residence permit is issued for the duration of the scholarship stay as confirmed by FCS and ETH Zurich.
• If you enter Switzerland earlier, there is a risk that your residence permit will expire before the end of the confirmed scholarship period. You would then have to apply for an extension of your residence permit at your own expense.
• It is your responsibility to clarify your health insurance coverage for the period prior to 1 September.  

Should you already have booked your journey with an earlier arrival date, contact the Reception Service.

Scholarship holders with additional employment must in principle register with the residents' registration office “Einwohnermeldeamt” before starting work. As the employment contract is usually linked to the start of the scholarship, the Reception Service recommends that students with an employment contract arrive no earlier than 1 September and no later than 4 September.

Plan your journey according to these instructions.  

• Decision made by supervisor, administration by Human Resources of ETH Zurich or respective research institution, approval of FCS required.
• The assistant of your supervisor or your supervisor will take care of your additional paid employment.  
• Your FCS visiting student status only allows to work as student teaching assistant within ETH Zurich (see: Teaching assistants and Swiss regulations on gainful employment for students). Direct any questions exclusively to the Reception Service and or Human Resources.
• Work hours for students are limited:
  • During semester: max. 15 hours per week
  • During semester breaks: 41 hours per week (full-time) possible
• It is advisable to consult with the Reception Service and Human Resources early on, as the processing time for a possible work permit can take up to two months.

ETH is committed to ensure that everyone – with or without disabilities or special needs – can access ETH’s services as far as possible. Direct questions to the Disability Advisory Service.