Visas & Immigration: Switzerland
Immigration Information for Switzerland
For most participants – including U.S. Citizens – a student visa is not required for this program.
Please reference the information below for details regarding immigration requirements and other important considerations.
Immigration Requirements Based on Nationality
Immigration policies and restrictions will depend on your nationality (the country that issued your passport book):
Passport |
Immigration Policies and Restrictions |
|---|---|
| USA | If you hold a valid U.S. passport you are allowed to stay in Switzerland and the Schengen Area for up to 90 days within a 180-day period without a visa, under a visitor status. |
| European Union countries, Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland | If you hold a valid passport from an EU country or Schengen member state, you are allowed to stay in Switzerland or the Schengen Area indefinitely without a visa. To reenter the U.S. after your program, you must travel with appropriate U.S. documentation (e.g., U.S. passport, Permanent Resident Card, or long-term U.S. visa) valid for at least three months beyond your return date. |
| All other nationalities | Depending on the country that issued your passport, you may be required to apply for a Schengen Visitor Visa. Check if you need a visa by emailing IP-Visas@fsu.edu. Please be advised that you will need to be in possession of your Permanent Resident Card, or U.S. visa, to allow re-entry into the United States following your program. |
Passport Validity
- Your passport must:
- Have at least two blank visa pages.
- Remain valid for at least six months after your planned departure from the Schengen area.
- If you need to obtain a new passport for your program, consider using our on-campus passport services.
International Travel Restrictions
- Students under a visa-free visitor status – including U.S. Citizens – are permitted to travel up to 90 days within 180 days in Switzerland and the Schengen area.
- If you plan to travel to the Schengen area in the three months before or after your program, it is your responsibility to ensure your stay does not exceed the 90-day limit.
- To avoid accidentally overstaying, we recommend using the ninety180 online Schengen Area travel calculator to keep track of your travel days.
European Travel Information Authorization System (ETIAS)
- ETIAS is a new entry requirement to visit the Schengen Area starting the last quarter of 2026.
- No action is required at this time. Students planning to study abroad in 2027 and beyond may be impacted by this entry requirement. International Programs will inform students if an ETIAS is required for their program via the IP Student Portal.
