Candidates from countries subject to visa restrictions for stays of more than three months must submit their application from abroad. Students must be in possession of their study visas before coming to Switzerland.
Third-country nationals (nationals of non-EU or non-EFTA countries) who hold a valid residence permit or long-stay visa (D visa) (these documents must be valid when they enter Switzerland) issued by another Schengen state and who apply for a Swiss entry permit (national D visa) are exempt from this requirement.
| To obtain the study visa, candidates must satisfy certain conditions, in particular: |
| - Indicate clearly the chosen course of study, its planned duration and the diploma they wish to obtain |
| - Ensure they have reliable and sufficient financial means to meet their requirements during their stay, i.e. at least CHF 2100 per month (students cannot obtain a work permit during their first semester of study) |
| - The candidate's age and previous training must be compatible with the study choice |
The fact of meeting the aforementioned conditions does not necessarily mean that a visa will automatically be issued. At all events, the criteria of the competent federal and cantonal authorities prevail.
The Admissions Service cannot intervene in this procedure with the authorities (Embassy, Consulate, Population Office). As these steps can take two to three months, students are advised to undertake them as soon as possible.
In addition to the decision of admission to registration issued by the University of Lausanne, candidates must submit to the consular authorities the form requested by the Population Office.
Further information for foreign students
Further information for European students (Schengen Area)
More details on the following links:
Setting in Lausanne
State Secretariat for Migration - SEM
| Since the procedure for visa applications can be quite lengthy, you are strongly recommended to consult the Swiss consular authorities immediately upon receipt of the decision of admission to registration.
To ensure that you will receive the decision of acceptance early enough, you must submit your application at least two months before the official general deadline. |
| Caution: if the visa is delivered only after the beginning of the courses in September or February, it is not possible any more to start the programme. Please contact us to verify if it is possible to postpone your application. |
