The International Office works closely with the authorities to ensure that all the documentation it provides for visa and/or permit application is constantly updated to make the application process as simple and efficient as possible.

For students arriving from non-EU countries, the International Office acts as an intermediary between the applicant and the authorities, but has no influence on the outcome or duration of the application process.  
In order to study and stay in Switzerland, foreign students must:
 

• apply for a visa and/or residence permit
• register at the Residents’ Registration Office
• take out health and accident insurance (and/or apply for exemption)

In the document "Visas, permits and insurance", which can be downloaded from the "Documents" section at the top right of this page, from the Student Portal or from Mobility Online, the procedures for foreign students (in mobility or matriculated) intending to pursue an education in Ticino are indicated, which vary according to the country of origin and the type of studies chosen (for students of Departments and Affiliated Schools based outside the Canton of Ticino, please contact the respective cantonal authorities).  
This information is of a general nature and it is up to students to verify further requests from the authorities.
They are responsible for all their documentation and when leaving the country they are obliged to notify the competent offices of their departure.
   

1. Visa and/or residence permit

 

​​​​​​​Foreign students resident in the border area

Those who return to their place of residence abroad daily may attend public or private schools in the Canton of Ticino without specific authorisation from the Migration Office. Please contact the secretariat of your degree course to request the enrolment certificate, which we recommend you always carry with you.

Mobility students from EU/EFTA(*) countries - stay for study

Matriculated and mobility students, citizens of EU/EFTA states may enter Switzerland without a visa for a stay for study purposes. They must apply for a residence permit immediately after their arrival in Switzerland.
(*) European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway
 

Mobility students from EU/EFTA(*) countries - stay for practical module/internship

Mobility students, citizens of EU/EFTA states, who wish to reside in Switzerland in order to carry out a practical module/internship must apply for a residence permit (training with activity) before they arrive in Switzerland so that they receive a temporary residence declaration (document certifying that the application has been submitted) before the start of the internship and can provide it to their host organisation.
If the internship or practical module takes place outside SUPSI, please contact the secretariat of your department.
(*) European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway  
 

Matriculated and mobility students from non-EU/EFTA countries – stay for study

Matriculated and mobility students arriving from non-EU/EFTA countries must have a visa to enter Switzerland. They must therefore apply to the Swiss representation abroad (embassy) responsible for their place of residence. The duly completed form, which can be downloaded online from the Embassy's website, must be accompanied by a copy of valid passport and additional documents proving the purpose of the stay. Once in Switzerland, they must apply for a residence permit.
 

Thesis, PhD, and post-docs students EU/EFTA nationals - stay for practical module/internship

Thesis, PhD, and post-doc students with EU/EFTA citizenship who enter Switzerland to carry out a practical module/internship must apply for a residence permit for training with activity to reside in the country.
 

Thesis, PhD, and post-docs students from non-EU/EFTA countries - stay for practical module/internship

Thesis, PhD, and post-docs students who are nationals of non-EU/EFTA countries entering Switzerland to carry out a practical module/internship must apply for a visa to enter the country.
They must therefore apply to the Swiss representation abroad (embassy) responsible for their place of residence. The duly completed form, which can be downloaded online from the Embassy's website, must be accompanied by a copy of valid passport and additional documents proving the purpose of the stay.
At the same time, SUPSI must file an application for a Nulla Osta with the local authorities, which must be filled in with the data provided by the applicant.
Once in Switzerland, students must apply for a residence permit.
   

2. Registration with the Residents’ Registration Office

Anyone entering and residing in Switzerland must report their arrival to the Migration Office of the municipality where they are staying within 8 days of their arrival. Some offices accept online notification, so please check the specifics on the website of the relevant municipality.
   

3. Insurance

​​​​​​​

Health and accident insurance

​​​​​​​
In order to study and live in Switzerland, everyone must be insured under the KVG (Federal Act on Health Insurance), which regulates coverage for illness and accident.
Within 3 months of their arrival in the country, it is therefore necessary to stipulate the policy and/or apply for any exemptions from it.
The date of commencement of insurance cover must coincide with the date of entry into Switzerland (also indicated on the notification made to the Residents Registration Office).
​​​​​​​

​​​​​​​EU/EFTA citizens

Those who live in the border area and return home daily (border crossers) are exempt from the health insurance obligation.

EU/EFTA nationals with a residence permit for study or internship purposes may apply for exemption from the obligation to take out insurance if they can prove that they have foreign insurance cover equivalent to Swiss insurance cover by applying to the Social Security Office (Istituto delle Assicurazioni Sociali IAS) after their arrival in Switzerland, in particular:

• students from EU/EFTA countries with a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC);
• privately insured students in Germany who can prove that their private insurance cover is equivalent to Swiss insurance cover, i.e. unlimited.

​​​​​​​The duly completed form must be forwarded to the Social Insurance Institute (IAS) enclosing a copy of the residence permit obtained (or the temporary residence declaration) and a copy of the European Health Insurance Card (or of the certificate issued by the insurance company in the country of origin).

Exemption request forms can be downloaded from the 'Useful Documents' section at the top right of this page:

• TI 6.1 for EU citizens with state insurance
• TI 6.2 for EU citizens with private insurance

The documents must then be sent by ordinary mail “A-Post” to:
Istituto delle assicurazioni sociali
Settore obbligo assicurativo
Via Ghiringhelli 15a
CH-6500 Bellinzona

For further information, please refer to www.iasticino.ch or contact them by telephone on +41 91 821 91 11 or by e-mail at obbligo@ias.ti.ch.
 

Treatment costs in Switzerland for EU/EFTA insured persons and advance payment of costs

EU/EFTA insured persons requiring treatment during a temporary stay in Switzerland will be charged a flat-rate amount of CHF 92, covering a period of 30 days.
In the event of hospitalisation, the insured person's contribution is CHF 15 per day. In the case of exemption/non-subjection, the student must pay the medical expenses directly (cash or credit cards).

​​​​​​​Reimbursement - with the appropriate deductions - may subsequently be requested by sending the original invoice and a copy of the European Health Insurance Card to the following address:
Istituzione Comune LAMal (Gemeinsame Einrichtung KVG)
Industriestrasse 78
CH-4600 Olten

Indicating full bank account details:

• IBAN (International Bank Account Number)
• BIC (Bank Identifier Code)
• Bank name and address
• Account holder and address

More information can be found on the website of the Istituzione comune LAMal.
   

Non-EU/EFTA citizens

Non-EU/EFTA citizens who can prove to the competent authorities that they have health insurance cover equivalent to that required in Switzerland, i.e. unlimited, may be exempted from the obligation to take out insurance by submitting to the Social Security Office (Istituto delle Assicurazioni Sociali IAS) the application form for exemption from Swiss health insurance TI 6.3, duly completed and signed for approval by their insurance company.

Exemption request form can be downloaded from the 'Useful documents' section at the top right of this page:

• TI 6.3 for students/researchers from non-EU/EFTA countries

Otherwise, it is mandatory to take out an insurance policy with one of the health insurance companies in Switzerland.

In order to provide adequate insurance cover at an affordable price, SUPSI has taken out an insurance policy with Swisscare. This policy provides basic health, accident, and maternity cover equivalent to that guaranteed by compulsory health insurance under the Federal Law on Health Insurance (KVG), but at a more affordable cost.
   

Swisscare

Special terms and conditions
This offer is valid exclusively for mobility non-EU students in mobility or matriculated students pursuing a Bachelor's or Master's degree or doing PhD work at SUPSI, provided they have obtained a residence permit in Switzerland for study purposes.
The monthly premium for insured persons amounts to approximately CHF 89.10 per month. The annual deductible is CHF 300.00, and the percentage rate is 10% up to CHF 700.00.
More information can be found on the Swisscare website under "Useful Links".

Membership
It is compulsory to take out insurance within three months of entering Switzerland and the start date of the insurance contract must coincide with the date of entry into the country. The process of joining Swisscare involves several steps and takes time, so there is no guarantee that applications received close to the deadline will be accepted.

Registration must be done online via the following link.
 
Following registration, the insured person will receive an e-mail from Swisscare to activate their personal customer account. This will be followed by a further communication containing instructions on the next steps to be taken to complete the registration process.

Period of insurance cover and cancellation
The start date of the insurance cover must coincide with the date of the day of entry into Switzerland (also indicated on the notification made to the Residents' Registration Office).

The insurance contract with Swisscare must be cancelled at the end of the mobility or study period by notifying your departure from Switzerland and providing the documents that may be required to close the policy: Swisscare (Frequently Asked Questions > How do I cancel my SPSS Student plan?).

Obligations of the insured person
Insured persons - in order to avoid sanctions - are required to notify the Migration Office, Swisscare, IAS and SUPSI of:

• changes of address or personal details;
• changes of permit (residence, marital status, etc.);
• end of studies;
• definitive departure from Ticino or Switzerland;
• any other change.