Study Abroad for Students from Outside the U.S.

Your first step, if you are not studying at another Webster Campus, or at another University in the USA would be to contact our admissions office in Geneva who will be able to give you all the information you need about studying abroad on our campus.

Student Visas and Residence Permits

If you are on a current resident permit that allows full-time residency in Switzerland, you will not need to go through the full student visa process provided that you earn admission and apply to extend your permit with local authorities prior to its expiration date.

If you are an EU or EFTA citizen, you will not need a student visa to attend, yet when you arrive for New Student Orientation, we will provide you with an attestation from Webster Geneva Campus and guide you on how to declare your arrival for full-time studies to the local authorities.

Swiss Student Visas

All students from outside the European Union and EFTA member states need to make a formal application for a Swiss student visa from the Swiss Embassy or Swiss Consulate. You must complete the visa process in your home country or country of legal residence before entering Switzerland.

Tourist and/or Schengen Visas are not accepted for study purposes; Webster Geneva Campus is not authorized to register for courses under a Tourist and/or a Schengen Visa.

For the most up-to-date information or for answers to detailed questions, be sure to contact the Swiss Embassy or Swiss Consulate nearest to you, or refer to the FDFA website — selecting your country of residence.

Student Visa Application Process

Following admission and once you confirm your intention to enroll with Webster, you will need to submit your enrollment deposit (to Webster) and then proceed with the application forms and supporting documents to the Swiss Embassy or Swiss Consulate nearest to your official residence.

The student visa process is lengthy (approximately three months) and requires you to pay close attention to all pertinent details. The Swiss authorities will only consider applications that are complete, so be sure to follow the admissions office recommendations. It is extremely important to keep personal copies of all forms and documents submitted to the Swiss authorities.

Once all your documents have been submitted, the Swiss Embassy/Consulate will forward your application to the authorities here in Switzerland. The Cantonal Office of Population and Migration (immigration office) will assess your application in collaboration with the federal authorities. They will inform and notify the Swiss Embassy/Consulate in your home country about their decision, and the Swiss Embassy/Consulate will then notify you.

NOTE: During the visa process, third parties such as universities are discouraged from interfering with the authorities to speed up the process or inquire about missing documents. It is your responsibility to keep on top of your visa application process and to keep our admissions team informed about progress or any difficulties.

Upon Your Arrival: Your Swiss Student Residence Permit

All students (except Swiss citizens) enrolled in Webster Geneva Campus need to apply for a Swiss Student Residence Permit upon their arrival in Geneva. The permit can take two to three months to be issued and is valid for one year. Students must make sure to renew their permit every year before leaving for their summer or winter break. Student permit information for current students can be found on the Registrar's Office Pages.

You can find more information, including course listings in the study abroad brochures linked below:

Fall 2022 (PDF opens in new tab)
Spring 2023 (PDF opens in new tab)