Visa – Entering – Registration

First of all, please check whether or not you need a visa to enter Switzerland.
Students from EU and EFTA countries need but a valid passport or identity card.
Three months before entering Switzerland, please contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for information about the immigration procedure.
Students from countries with a visa requirement need to apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate general of their home country at least three months before entering Switzerland.
Please note that students from the above mentioned countries cannot be matriculated at the University of Lucerne without having a valid visa.
If you are unsure whether or not you need a visa, please ask the local Swiss representation office.

After entering Switzerland, all students are required to register at the registration office of their community of residence within 14 days.
For the registration, you will need a valid travel document, one passport-sized portrait picture, as well as confirmation of matriculation from the University of Lucerne.
After the registration, the residence permit (foreigner's identity card) will be issued.
Citizens of non-EU/EFTA-countries must then present themselves at the Office for Migration (with passport and portrait picture).
Please note that it usually takes 6 to 12 weeks to obtain a visa.

The registration and all documents (foreigner's identity card, the visa (if necessary) etc.) are chargeable!