Work permit

When foreign guests come to ETH Zurich for a temporary stay, they may require a work permit and/or need to register. For academic guests, visiting professors, scholarship holders and compulsory interns, HR administration will obtain the necessary permits. Different legal provisions apply to all other guest categories.

This page provides information on the regulations for visitors in each category. Please note that the information on this page is provided for guidance only and may be subject to change. For legally binding information, please consult the website of the external page State Secretariat for Migration SEM or contact the external page Swiss representation in your guest's country of residence.

The Immigration Office Zurich officially recognises four guest categories. For these guests, HR administration handles permits and entry documents. For all other guest categories, there is no legal basis for entry and the guest or their employer must arrange the necessary permits. Jump directly to the information relevant to you on this page:

Guests with a role specified by the Immigration Office

The Immigration Office officially recognises the roles of four guest categories. Guests in these categories are legally entitled to apply for a work permit, which can only be processed through HR administration.

If you create a workflow for a guest in any of the following categories, HR administration will automatically handle your guest's work permit:

Please start the workflow at an early stage. It can take up to six weeks for HR administration to process.

Guests without a role specified by the Immigration office

The roles of all other guest categories are not officially recognised by the Immigration Office. As a result, ETH Zurich cannot apply for residence permits for these guests, as there is no legal basis.

Guests without a role specified by the Immigration Office include:

Various provisions apply to these guests depending on their country of origin, residence status and visa:

Please contact your HR Administrator if you have any questions or concerns. According to the immigration regulations, staying at ETH Zurich (e.g. as a tourist) and/or working without a work and residence permit is not allowed.

Citizens of EU or EFTA countries

The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU/EFTA enables EU/EFTA citizens to visit ETH Zurich.

Your guest is not required to register and does not need a work permit.

Please note:

Stays are cumulative within a calendar year.

Your guest's employer (based in an EU/EFTA/UK member state) must register your guest via the external page notification procedure in advance.

Your guest does not need a residence permit and does not have to register with the authorities after entering Switzerland.

Your guest requires a work permit, which is issued by the cantonal Immigration Office. Your guest's employer (based in an EU/EFTA/UK member state) must apply for a external page work permit on their behalf.

Your guest must register with the local authorities within 14 days of entering the country and will then receive a residence permit, which they must be able to present at all times.

Please note:

A certificate of assignment from the home university is required for the work permit.

Third-country nationals with a Schengen visa

In principle, guests with a Schengen visa can stay at ETH Zurich for up to three months.

Your guest is not required to register and does not need a work permit.

Please note:

Stays are cumulative within a calendar year.
The visa must be valid for at least one day beyond the stay.

Your guest's employer (based in an EU/EFTA/UK member state) must register them via the external page notification procedure in advance.

If your guest does not have an employer based in an EU/EFTA/UK member state, it is unfortunately not possible to obtain a work permit.

Please note:

The visa must be valid for at least one day beyond the duration of the stay.

Neither HR administration nor your guest or their employer can obtain a work permit for stays beyond 91 days.

Third-country nationals without a Schengen visa

Guests from non-EU countries without a Schengen visa can independently apply for a business visa for a maximum of eight days.

Your guest must independently apply for a business visa in advance at the Swiss Embassy in their current country of residence.

Please note:

Stays are cumulative within a calendar year.

Neither HR administration nor your guest or their employer can obtain a work permit for stays beyond 8 days.

Special case: students from other institutions in the guest category «Individual collaborations»

Various provisions apply to students from other institutions in the guest category «Individual collaborations» depending on their country of origin, residence status and visa:

Please contact your HR Administrator if you have any questions or concerns. According to immigration regulations, staying at ETH Zurich (e.g. as a tourist) and/or working without a work and residence permit is not allowed.

Students who are citizens from EU or EFTA countries

The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU/EFTA enables students who are EU/EFTA citizens to visit ETH Zurich.

Students who are citizens of EU or EFTA countries do not require a residence permit for stays of up to 90 days. They must, however, be enrolled at a foreign university. For up to 90 days, they can stay in Switzerland without having to formally register.

Please note:

Stays are cumulative within a calendar year.

Neither HR administration nor your guest can obtain a work permit for your guest.

Students who are third-country nationals with a Schengen visa

In principle, students with a Schengen visa can spend up to three months at ETH Zurich.

Students who are third-country nationals and in possession of a valid Schengen visa do not require a residence permit for stays of up to 90 days. They must, however, be enrolled at a foreign university. For up to 90 days, they can stay in Switzerland without having to formally register.

Please note:

Stays are cumulative within a calendar year.
The visa must be valid for at least one day beyond the duration of the stay.

Neither HR administration nor your guest can obtain a work permit for your guest.

Students who are third-country nationals without a Schengen visa

Students who are citizens of a non-EU country and do not have a Schengen visa cannot obtain a guest visa. We recommend checking the options available within the framework of «project mobility students».

Neither HR administration nor your guest can obtain a visa for your guest.

Students who are citizens of a non-EU country and do not have a Schengen visa cannot receive a visa, except within the framework of «project mobility students».