Swiss Visa Overview 

Step 1: Swiss Visa Application Overview

The Lewis Global Studies Center (LGSC) will facilitate a group visa application process for students studying on the Geneva program.

Students must submit a copy of their passport valid six months beyond the end of their studies in Geneva with their Smith program application. Proof of application for a passport or proof of passport renewal such as a receipt will be accepted.

Students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents and international students with valid U.S. visas) will submit all the required visa application materials to the LGSC by the stated deadlines. The LGSC will in turn submit the visa application materials to the Swiss Consulate in New York approximately 14 weeks in advance of the program start date. Processing may take up to eight weeks. Students will be notified by LGSC when their visa applications have been approved. Students will then send their passports to the New York Consulate for visa issuance.

Things to Consider

Because students must send their passports to the New York Consulate for three to four weeks in October or November, international travel during this time is strongly discouraged. Students who arrive in Switzerland without student visas will have to return to the U.S. to obtain the student visa.