Swiss Visa Application Materials

Step 3: Swiss Visa Application Materials – Due April 29th

Submit your visa application materials to OIS in one package

For your reference, we recommend that you:

• • Visit the Swiss Visa Web page

  • Download the Student Visa Instructions (PDF)

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

  • Submit all paperwork  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
Lewis Global Studies Center
100 Elm Street
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 Pisano for a template of a cover letter that you should plan to include with your visa application materials.

Exceptions/Additions to the Student Visa Instructions

Item 4: International students will need to submit a copy of their F-1 visa and I-20. If you are not an international student, this does not apply to you.

Item 5: Two copies of the “Admission Attestation” letter from the Graduate Institute.

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). 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 a statement from owner of the account, saying something like "Please see the attached bank statement for proof that I have sufficent funds to support my daughter, (your name here), during her 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 official Smith (or your home institution) transcript. Open it, and make a copy.

Item 9: Two copies of a typed confirmation that you will leave Switzerland after you complete your chosen course of study. This can be a simple one sentence statement, dated and signed. - Please note that original signatures are required and scanned versions cannot be accepted.

Item 10: Two copies of a résumé. This does not need to be a professional résumé but should still be in résumé format. 

Item 11: Two copies of a brief essay on your future plans. Be brief, no more than one page. Be sure to include that you will return to your home school to finish your degree following your term abroad.

Visa Application Form Instructions

• 1. Download the application guide (PDF) to enter 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.

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).

  • Write your name on the back of each photo, and let ink dry to prevent smudges. 

  • Attach three correctly sized photos to your visa application forms, and paper clip the fourth photo to one application..