Visiting Fellows Participants Portal

Costs of Living

Plan a monthly budget of at least CHF 2,500 for living costs.
 
 

Accommodation in Geneva

• Graduate Institute Student Residences — apply for a room
  Applications for a room in the Spring semester open in November.
  Applications for a room in the Autumn semester open in April.

Geneva is a small city, and most accommodation options on the list are within easy reach of the Institute (max. 30 minutes by bus or tram). We nevertheless advise booking your accommodation early, as Geneva is a busy city and suitable housing can be hard to secure. Please also note that the cost of living in Geneva is quite high.
 
 

Visa Regulations

The International Programmes Office is required to declare all Visiting Fellows of the Graduate Institute to Geneva's Migration Office (OCPM).

Check here whether nationals of your country require a visa to enter Switzerland.

If you do not require a visa but your stay exceeds three months, you will need to apply for a residency permit.

Please follow the steps below to ensure compliance with Swiss Migration Authority regulations.

FOR ALL NON-EU CITIZENS

1. Email the Visiting Fellows Office (visiting@graduateinstitute.ch) at least three months before your arrival in Geneva with the following:
   • E-Form for PhD students, M-form for post-doc (send us a scanned, signed copy | our office will complete sections 9 and 10)
   • A copy of your passport 
   • A copy of your affiliation letter provided by the Institute
   • Proof of accommodation in Geneva
   • Proof of revenue (bank statement or confirmation of scholarship)
   • Secondment letter from your home university (if applicable)
   • Two passport-sized photos

The visa process can take up to three months and must be approved by the Migration Office before you arrive in Geneva.

     2. Once the OCPM's approval reaches the Visiting Fellows Office, it will notify you and ask you to contact the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in your country to obtain your entry visa.

     3. Upon arrival in Geneva, if your stay exceeds 90 days, submit the documents listed in the form the OCPM sent along with your entry authorisation.

FOR EU CITIZENS (if the research stay exceeds three months)

Submit the following to the International Programmes Office upon arrival at the Graduate Institute:

• E-Form for PhD students, M-form for post-doc (send us a scanned, signed copy | our office will complete sections 9 and 10)
• Two passport photos
• A copy of your passport 
• A copy of your affiliation letter
• A copy of your CV
• Proof of revenue (bank statement or copy of scholarship)
• Proof of accommodation (hotel reservation or rental lease)
   

Your permit will be sent to your Geneva address 6 to 8 weeks after you submit the above documents and attend your biometrics appointment.
 
 
 

Insurance

Anyone residing in Switzerland for more than three months must obtain Swiss health insurance. More information here.
 
 

Departure

IMPORTANT: Visiting Fellows who have received a residency permit must inform the OCPM of their departure at least two weeks in advance, by sending the duly completed departure form by mail. This procedure is mandatory.

Remember to cancel your insurance policy upon departure — otherwise you will continue to receive invoices.