Test: 5) Preparing & starting your stay

internal page Before you read on: Have you taken care of all the preparations? If not, return to step 4.

Visit the desk of the Student Exchange Office after your arrival to pick up your student documents (student card, documents for obtaining your residence permit). Refer to our email “Arrival at ETH Zurich: Student Documents” for details.

Late applications: There might be some delays.

internal page Location of our desk & opening hours

If you have applied to the D-BSSE in Basel, you have to pick up the student documents there. The details are in the fact sheet below.

Download D-BSSE factsheet (PDF, 173 KB)

In general

You must register with the appropriate authority within 14 days of your arrival in Switzerland. You will receive the necessary confirmation from ETH when collecting your student documents from the Student Exchange Office.

The registration procedure varies depending on your nationality and current place of residency.

Swiss citizen

You do not need a residence permit, yet still need to register upon arrival in Zurich (unless you have already registered in Zurich).

Non-Swiss student coming from outside of Switzerland

You require a residence permit, regardless of citizenship or visa requirement.
The duration of your mobility stay starts on the day you enter Switzerland. Never enter Switzerland before the start date stated on your official confirmation of acceptance. If you do, you risk your residence permit to expire before the last day of your planned mobility stay, which implies that you might not be able to finish your project / thesis nor write your final exams. You would have to apply for an extension of your residence permit, at a charge.
This applies especially to all non-EU/EFTA nationals, external pagewith and without a visa requirement, even if the visa authorisation or the issued visa theoretically allows an earlier entry to Switzerland. (If you need visa, make sure you have read our information regarding visa.) Student who do not need visa, must furnish a proof of sufficient financial means for their residence permit.

Non-Swiss student already living in Switzerland

You should already have a valid Swiss residence permit and therefore have two options: “Wochenaufenthalt” (weekly commuter) or “Kantonswechsel” (change of canton, to be applied for in advance).

Certain conditions and services differ substantially for students applying for the D-BSSE located in Basel. Refer to the separate factsheet of D-BSSE.

Download D-BSSE factsheet (PDF, 173 KB)

ETH has a living commitment to sustainable development in its four core areas of activity: research, teaching, campus, dialog with society. There are a plethora of initiatives you can become a part of. The "Sustainability Map" facilitates the decision-making in your daily life in favour of a more sustainable lifestyle. Also, the Swiss public transport system allows you to prioritise environmentally friendly travelling.

Sports, ESN student network, "culture shock" and many other topics and offers are covered on the websites. Please take a look at them.

Now your project at ETH with your ETH supervisor begins.

The Student Exchange Office provides detailed and comprehensive information on our websites and in our FAQ. Beyond that, the Student Exchange Office cannot provide further individual advice and support during your stay, but rely on you to take responsibility yourself. If you have any further questions, please contact the relevant contact point or authority directly.

Next step: two options

Questions?

Consult the FAQ first and – if you cannot find the information – use the contact form for project mobility students.