Before you get here

IMPORTANT STEPS Before You Arrive

 

  1. If you chose to stay in one of our student residences, please submit your housing request as soon as possible from March 24 to April 14, 2025 (9am).
  2. Apply for your visa and/or residence permit as soon as possible since the procedure might take 3-5 months. Please note that a residence permit is required for ALL non-Swiss nationals, but a visa is only required for SOME nationalities.
  3. Activate your different digital accounts (create your OneLogin and your Switch edu-ID account) during Summer.

See details below.

1. Submit your housing request as soon as possible (from march 24 to April 14. 2025, 9am)

  • Consult the accommodation options in the Geneva Graduate Institute's Residences.
  • Consult the types of rooms available and select three options, in order of preference.
  • Apply for a room on the Geneva Graduate Institute's Accommodation Portal. IMPORTANT: Incoming students have priority from 10am on March 24 to 9am on April 14 2025. Then all students can register. Since rooms are allocated on a first-come-first-served basis, we advise you to apply for a room as soon as possible.
  • IMPORTANT: Housing offers will only be made to students who have confirmed their admission and have paid the first CHF 1'500 tuition fees installment.
  • Note: Please consider applying to additional residences in Geneva, in case demand exceeds our supply. Do not hesitate to contact us should you need addresses.
  • Note: Please stay vigilant when it comes to potential scams on social media platforms like Facebook groups.

Questions? Read the Frequently Asked Questions or contact our Housing team: booking.housing@graduateinstitute.ch

2. Apply for your visa and residence permit

 

You will receive by email the new procedure to apply for your residence permit and visa. Please read all the information carefully and prepare the required documents well in advance.

Please note that a residence permit is required for ALL non-Swiss nationals, but a visa is only required for SOME nationalities.

  • So unless you have a Swiss passport, you will need to apply for a Swiss Residence Permit.  The procedure can be made online (but as the OCPM website is only available in French, we recommend that you use your browser's built- in translator to help you with the application process.) Also, please note that EU/EFTA nationals can apply for a residence permit maximum 3 months before arrival, no later than 14 days after arrival.
  • In case your require a Swiss Visa, please submit your Visa application no later that mid-May since the procedure takes 3-5 months to be processed by the Swiss authorities. Who needs to apply for a visa? Please consult the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website to check whether your nationality requires a student visa.

For any additional enquiries, please do not hesitate to contact us at admission@graduateinstitute.ch
 

3. Activate your different digital accounts

 

In summer 2025, you will receive by email the new procedure to activate your different digital accounts. You will also receive your official email address, which will be key in your student life and even as an alumnus after you graduate.

1) Set your password by clicking on the provided link (only valid for 24 hours)

2) Once your password is created, log into OneLogin to accept the terms and conditions.

3) Also don't forget to create or update your Switch edu-ID account.