Step 5: Swiss Visa Application Materials – Due April 24th

Submit your visa application materials in one package

For your reference, we recommend that you:

• Visit the Swiss Visa Web page

• Download the Student Visa Checklist (PDF)

• Prepare all documents listed in the Student Visa Checklist with the appropriate number of copies. Note: It is crucial to carefully read the "Exceptions/ Additions" section below for additional guidance on completing these documents.

• Submit all paperwork  to the Lewis Global Studies Center.  If you are not on campus, please send your materials via FedEx (or other carrier that provides tracking information) to:

Angelo Pisano
5 Chapin Dr.
Lewis Global Studies Center, Wright Hall 125
Northampton, MA 01063

• Note: Students will eventually be sending (or delivering in person) their passports to the Swiss Consulate in New York. If you are going to be outside of the U.S. in July, you may submit a request with your visa application materials to have your Swiss visa approval forwarded to a Swiss consulate in a different country. Please contact Angelo for a template of a cover letter that you should plan to include with your visa application materials.  You'll likely need to submit this to the Swiss Consulate in New York again upon visa approval.

Visa Application Form Instructions

• 1. Review the the application guide (PDF) to enter the correct responses where applicable.

  2. Download the National (Type D) Visa Application Form.

  3. Type all responses, except the date and signature at the bottom of page. 

  4. Print three copies.

  5. Sign and date each copy at the bottom of page 3 using ink. Each copy must have an original, handwritten signature.

Exceptions/Additions to the Student Visa Instructions

Item 4: International students will need to submit two copies of their F-1 visa and I-20. The documents do not need to be notarized. If you are not an international student, this does not apply to you.

Item 5: Two copies of a confirmation/registration letter from the school, university, etc. in Switzerland. This will come to directly to the Smith study abroad office from Geneva. You don't need to do anything for this.

Item 6: Two copies of confirmation of payment of school tuition fees. This info will be in a letter from the Smith study abroad office to the consulate. You don't need to do anything for this.

Item 7: A statement containing exact details of income and assets, with official proof and/or bank statements (two copies each). This is often downloadable from your online banking portal. Screenshots will not suffice. The purpose of this item is to show you won't be dependent on Swiss public assistance while you are in Geneva. So while there is no specific amount of funds you must show, you do need to show that you or your parents have some amount of money available to support you in Geneva by submitting a recent bank statement. Be sure that the banking information you include states the account holder's name. If you submit a bank statement for an account that is not in your name, you must also submit two copies of their passport, and two copies of a statement from the owner of the account, saying something like "Please see the attached bank statement for proof that I have sufficient funds to support my daughter, (your name here), during their study abroad experience in Geneva, Switzerland." The statement should be signed and dated.

Item 8: Two copies of previous diplomas and school certificates. Request an electronic copy of your official Smith (or your home institution) transcript. What you have access to in Workday is not sufficient, please see the Registrar's Office website for instructions to request an official transcript.

Item 9: Two copies of a résumé. This does not need to be a professional résumé but should still be in résumé format. 

Item 10: Two copies of a brief essay on your future plans. Be brief, no more than a few paragraphs. Be sure to include that you will return to your home school to finish your degree following your term abroad.

Photo Requirements

• • Photos must be official passport photos taken against a plain background, without hats or smiles, etc. Face must be between 32mm and 36mm high, from chin to top of head. Please click here to see additional photo requirements (PDF). We have a hole punch in the LGSC which can trim the photos down to the appropriate outside dimensions, but please ensure you follow the requirements for the size of your face in the photo.

  • Attach three correctly sized photos to your visa application forms with a glue stick. DO NOT STAPLE