Step 1: Visa & Immigration, Passport & Photo - Deadline April 15

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

Please follow the steps below to complete your visa application through the LGSC:

1. Passport Requirement

• Submit a copy of your passport with your Smith program application in SITES

•  If you do not yet have a passport, you may temporarily submit:

  • Proof of passport application, or

  • Proof of passport renewal (e.g., receipt from the passport office).

2. Passport-Style Photo

• • Please send a photo to the Lewis Global Studies Center (studyabroad@smith.edu) as a .jpg via email with a file name as follows: LAST NAME_first name.

Please note:  

1. The .jpg photo photo should be a front-facing, color picture against a white background.   

2. Please use the US Travel.State.Gov photo tool to confirm the photo is valid beforehand (quality, pose, attire...).

3. Make sure the picture is high resolution.

3. Submit Visa Application Materials

All students (U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and international students with a valid U.S. visa) must submit the required visa documents to the LGSC. Please refer to guidelines in Step 7.

4. Visa Submission to the Swiss Consulate

• The LGSC will submit the group visa applications to the Swiss Consulate in New York approximately 14 weeks before the program start date.

• Visa processing may take up to 8 weeks.

5. Visa Approval and Passport Submission

• The LGSC will notify you once your visa has been approved.

• At that point, students must send their passports to the Swiss Consulate in New York so the visa can be issued.

Important Considerations

• Your passport will remain at the New York Consulate for two to three weeks in the summer.

• 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.