Visa regulations for Spain and Switzerland

• Students from Non-EU Countries
  
• Students from EU Countries
  
• Students from Spain (ESP)
  
• Students from Switzerland (CH)

All students who are NOT nationals of any country within the European Union or the European Eco-nomic Area (Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) need to apply for a student visa respectively D visa for both Spain and Switzerland before entering the respective countries. Entering on a tourist visa is not allowed.

Required documents

The actual visa application process is determined by the migration offices and is subject to change. In principle, the following documents must be prepared for visa applications:

1. Original passport
   
2. Visa application form from the Spanish Embassy in your country of residence (form for Switzerland to be filled out in study year 2)
   
3. Photo (passport format)
   
4. Student admission letter (HSLU) 
   
5. CV in tabular form
   
6. Proof of visa payment (Spain)
   
7. Language certificate (English C1)
   
8. Copies of prior education certificates (including certified translations)
   
9. Motivation letter detailing post-graduation plans
   
10. Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., 21.000 CHF by the time of applying for the Swiss visa in year 2) 
    
11. Rental contract for the accommodation in Spain 
    
12. A copy of your health insurance policy covering for your stay in Spain and Switzerland
    
13. Proof of having paid the corresponding consular fee; in case of claim free, supporting documents
    
14. Negative certificate proving not suffering from any disease that could have serious repercus-sions for public health
    
15. Certified negative criminal record for crimes provided for in the Spanish legal system, issued by the country or countries where you had resided in the last 5 years
    
16. Written pledge to leave Switzerland upon graduation
    

Good to know

• It is advisable to submit the visa application as quickly as possible to avoid missed classes.
  
• The visa fee must be paid in advance. Please note that this fee is non-refundable even if your visa is refused. 
  
• After the visa is approved by the Spanish authority, the term to collect it is 2 months and must be done personally. You will have a max of 1 month from the day after your arrival in Spain to request your ID for foreigners (TIE) at the corresponding authority.

Switzerland: All information on visa, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation in Switzerland can be found on the dedicated page of the HSLU International Office.

Residence permit ESP – EU registration certification («Green Card»)

This certificate identifies EU citizens in Spain and allows you to live and work in the country legally, without limitations or restrictions.

You must apply for your EU certificate during the first three months after you enter Spain. Also, you do not have to do anything before entering Switzerland.

Required documents: 

1. Valid passport or ID
2. Student admission letter (HSLU)
3. Medical insurance contracted in Spain with coverage for the entire duration of the stay in Spain
4. Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank statement for Spain, later for Switzerland a signed letter of guarantee from parents would be accepted as well)
5. The census (“empadronamiento”) or rental contract certifying the place of residency
6. Application form EX-18 (Spain)
7. Application form 6 (Switzerland, Canton of Lucerne, to be handed in when arriving in Switzerland)
8. Proof of payment of the corresponding fee

Switzerland: All information on visa, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation in Switzerland can be found on the dedicated page of the HSLU International Office.

If you are an EU or EFTA national, you do not have to do anything before entering Switzerland in the 5th semester.

However, you are required to register with the residents’ registration office at your commune within 14 days of your arrival and you must apply for a residence permit at the migration office.

• As soon as you registered at the residents’ registration office, the migration office will be issuing you a residence permit. 
  
• To apply for a residence permit, you must send the documents below directly to the migration office after registering at the residents’ registration office. 
  
• The residence permit is usually issued for one year, which covers the regular study period. Please note that a new proof of sufficient financial means must be submitted with each applica-tion for residence permit extension in case you need more time to graduate.
  

Please prepare the following documents before travelling to Switzerland
(digital and print-ed version):

1. A valid passport or ID
   
2. Application form 6 (Canton of Lucerne)
   
3. An admission confirmation letter from the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts
   
4. A tenancy agreement
   
5. A copy of your health insurance policy covering for your stay in Switzerland
   
6. Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank statement) or signed letter of guarantee from parents
   
7. Sufficient cash to cover the fees for the certificate of registration (approx. CHF 40) and the ID card fee (approx. CHF 70 for EU countries)
   

All information on visa, residence permit, health insurance and accommodation in Switzerland can be found on the dedicated page of the HSLU International Office.

Swiss students must apply for a EU certificate during the first three months after entering Spain.

Required documents

1. Valid passport or ID
2. Student admission letter (HSLU)
3. Medical insurance contracted in Spain with coverage for the entire duration of the stay in Spain
4. Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g., bank statement)
5. The census (“empadronamiento”) or rental contract certifying the place of residency
   
6. Application form EX-18
7. Proof of payment of the corresponding fee