Academic guests
You are coming to ETH Zurich as an Academic Guest.
Conditions
- You would like to continue your scientific training and carry out research at ETH Zurich
- You have completed your higher education
- You work in a scientific role at a recognised university or a company and will be returning there after your stay at ETH
- You have already received an invitation to be an Academic Guest
Nationals of an EU-27 or EFTA country must register once they have arrived in Switzerland, either at the Residents' Registration Office at their place of residence (if not living in the city of Zurich) or with the Person Registration Office in the city of Zurich. They must bring with them all required documents according to their residence status*. Registration must take place within 14 days of entering the country and before the beginning of your employment.
More information on registration in Switzerland (Staffnet)
*Note for Croatian nationals
Since 1 January 2023, permit quotas (maximum numbers per quarter) have applied to newly arriving Croatian workers. This concerns persons who wish to take up employment in Switzerland for more than three months. The application for the work and residence permit is submitted by the responsible HR administration. If the application is approved, you will receive a written confirmation of the residence permit. This entitles you to enter Switzerland and to register personally with your municipality of residence or with the Person Registration Office in the city of Zurich.
Work and residence permit
The total residence period must not exceed 2 years. The total is cumulative, including previous periods of residence.
Members of non-EU/EFTA countries require a permit to enter the country, reside and work here, approved by the Swiss Labour Market Authority (visa authorisation for people requiring visas or confirmation of a residence permit for those not requiring visas, see also Visas for non-EU/EFTA nationals).
Work and residence permit
The total residence period must not exceed 2 years. The total is cumulative, including previous periods of residence.
Procedure:
- The application for the work and residence permit is submitted by the employer (ETH Zurich).
- The visa authorisation or promise of a residence permit is sent to the future employee in writing.
- He or she may not enter Switzerland until they have received confirmation from the authorities.
Processing period
Please note: the immigration authorities require 4 - 6 weeks to process a request.
Documents
The institute or professor’s office will contact you with a request to submit the following documents:
- Official request for immigration
- CV
- Copy of a recognised university degree
- Copy of your passport
- Confirmation of sabbatical leave from the home university
Family members
Immediate members of your family can enter Switzerland with you. However, they have to meet certain conditions which will be checked by the immigration authority. See also Accompanying family members.
- For a spouse: copy of the marriage certificate and copy of the spouse's passport
- For children: copy of birth certificate and copy of child's passport
- Any other documents as specified by the immigration authorities
Please note: accompanying family members must be listed on the immigration application form.
Please note: The information on this page is meant for information purposes only. No responsibility is taken for the correctness of this information. The rules and regulations may have changed in the meantime. For legally binding information please contact the Vice-Presidency for Personnel Development and Leadership, which will clarify your particular situation in consultation with the Migration Office.