AFS Switzerland travel rules - Revision history

David Barquero: /* Obtaining permission */

2026-08-11T09:35:28Z

Obtaining permission

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:35, 11 August 2026
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	The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]		The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

	Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (~~hallo~~@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.		Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (sui.support@afs.org) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

	=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===		=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===

David Barquero at 11:05, 14 August 2025

2025-08-14T11:05:21Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 13:05, 14 August 2025
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	== Travel rules ==		== Travel rules ==
	Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.		Many exchange students choose Switzerland because of its beautiful landscape and central location within Europe. It's understandable that they want to travel around Switzerland and to neighboring countries during their time here. However, the success of an exchange year doesn't depend on how many sights are visited.

	To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.		To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

David Barquero: /* How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it? */

2025-08-14T09:47:07Z

How do I obtain a travel waiver and where do I submit it?

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:47, 14 August 2025
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	The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]		The travel waiver can be obtained from the [https://www.afs.ch/hosting-students/welcomebooklet/ welcome booklet]

	Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.) AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.		Fill in the form with your travel details, have the application form signed by your host family and send it to AFS Switzerland (hallo@afs.ch) '''at least 3 weeks before the date of your departure.''' If you are invited to stay with someone, you need to provide a written invitation as well as a copy of their passport/identity card. '''You must obtain permission from AFS Switzerland before booking any travel''' (including but not limited to: plane tickets, train tickers, etc.). AFS will then review your travel waiver and if approved, request the signatures of your sending parents. Additional confirmation is needed from you and your host family. You and your host family will receive confirmation emails requiring virtual signatures before travel permission is granted.

	=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===		=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===

David Barquero at 09:42, 14 August 2025

2025-08-14T09:42:02Z

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:42, 14 August 2025
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	* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).		* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
	* You ~~either~~ stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.		* You stay with adult relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland over 18 years old (≠exchange students).

	== Travel visas ==		== Travel visas ==

David Barquero: /* General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: */

2025-08-14T09:30:28Z

General rules for travel outside of Switzerland:

← Older revision		Revision as of 11:30, 14 August 2025
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	2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.		2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

	==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====		=== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ===
	In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:		In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

	* You submit the Travel Waiver Application at least three weeks ~~in advance~~.		* You submit the Travel Waiver Application via email (hallo@afs.org) '''at least three weeks prior to your planned departure'''.
	* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''		* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
	* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.		* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
			* Your natural parents approve and sign the Travel Waiver (AFS Switzerland will coordinate with AFS in your home country to obtain permission from your natural parents)
			* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
			'''Additional requirements for individual travel'''

	* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).		* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
	* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
	* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.		* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
	* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent via email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
	* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

	== Travel visas ==		== Travel visas ==
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	=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===		=== How long does it take until I have permission to travel? ===
	AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.		AFS Switzerland will transfer your travel information to the AFS partner in your home country, so that they can obtain permission from your natural parents or guardians. This can take quite a while, so it is important that you hand in your application form as early as possible.

	~~You receive permission if the following conditions are fulfilled:~~

	* Your host family approves of your travel plans
	* Your trip takes place '''after the first four months of your stay'''
	* The trip takes place during your school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days for travel)
	* You have informed AFS Switzerland of your travel plans using an official AFS travel waiver application form '''at least 3 weeks''' before the date of departure
	* Your natural parents agree and have given their written consent by signing an official AFS travel waiver
	* You do not travel with your immediate family (parents, siblings and grandparents)
	* You stay with relatives or friends (≠hotel, youth hostel etc.) or you are accompanied by a person who's a resident of Switzerland and over 18 years old (≠exchange students)
	* When all these points are in order, AFS Switzerland will give you the green light for your trip

	'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''		'''Any student who travels without permission or behaves inappropriately during an independent trip risks an early return!'''

David Barquero: /* 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area */

2025-08-11T12:31:58Z

2. Within and outside of the Schengen area

← Older revision		Revision as of 14:31, 11 August 2025
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	To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.		To protect host students and host families, '''rules have been established regarding travel''' and family visits from the student's home country.

	=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===		=== A. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland (Individual domestic travel) ===
			As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''
			=== B. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

	==== 1. Within Switzerland ====		==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
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	==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====		==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
	'''~~Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!'''~~ '''~~You must submit~~ your ~~Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure~~.~~'''~~		'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver.''' In addition, permission from your natural parents is required.

	'''~~Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver~~'''~~, in addition to permission from your natural parents.~~		'''Important:'''

	'''~~IMPORTANT:~~''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''		# '''All trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
			# '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows for travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

	~~=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===~~
	~~As long as you obtain your host family's permission and '''you do not miss any school or mandatory AFS events''', you are free to travel within Switzerland. '''No travel waiver is needed.'''~~
	=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===		=== C. Individual travel outside of Switzerland ===
	'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''		'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''
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	In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:		In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

	* Your host family ~~agrees to~~ the ~~trip~~.		* You submit the Travel Waiver Application at least three weeks in advance.
			* The trip takes place during school holidays; '''you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel.'''
			* Your host family approve and sign the Travel Waiver.
	* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).		* You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and have not exceeded the maximum number of travel days (21 days allowed for individual travel abroad during the entire exchange).
	* The trip takes place during school holidays (you are not allowed to miss any school days or mandatory AFS events for travel).
	* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)		* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
	* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.		* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.

David Barquero: /* General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: */ spell check

2025-08-11T10:21:18Z

General rules for travel outside of Switzerland:: spell check

← Older revision		Revision as of 12:21, 11 August 2025
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	* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)		* You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
	* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.		* You either stay with adult relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
	* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent ~~vua~~ email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''		* The Travel Waiver form is completed and sent via email (hallo@afs.ch) to AFS Switzerland '''at least 3 weeks before your departure.'''
	* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).		* Your natural parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).

David Barquero: Protected "AFS Switzerland travel rules" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

2025-08-08T07:17:36Z

Protected "AFS Switzerland travel rules" ([Edit=Allow only administrators] (indefinite) [Move=Allow only administrators] (indefinite)) [cascading]

← Older revision	Revision as of 09:17, 8 August 2025
(No difference)

David Barquero: /* B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland */

2025-07-18T15:17:07Z

B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:17, 18 July 2025
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	2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.		2. If you are accompanied by an adult (18+) who lives permanently in Switzerland, a '''travel waiver''' and a copy of the accompanying person's '''passport''' are required.

	==== General rules: ====		==== General rules for travel outside of Switzerland: ====
	In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:		In order for such a trip to be approved, the following conditions must be met:

David Barquero: /* A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club */

2025-07-18T14:41:13Z

A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club

← Older revision		Revision as of 16:41, 18 July 2025
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	=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===		=== A. Traveling with your host family, Host School or Club ===

	==== 1. Within ~~the Schengen area~~ ====		==== 1. Within Switzerland ====
	'''Travel with a host family, school or club within ~~the Schengen area~~''' does ~~'''~~not''' require approval from AFS. However, you must obtain the permission of your natural parents. Additionally, you must inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in case of an emergency. Send us your travel ~~information via email to hallo@afs.ch~~.		'''Travel with a host family, school or club within Switzerland''' does not require a travel waiver.

	==== 2. ~~Outside~~ the Schengen area ====		==== 2. Within and outside of the Schengen area ====
	~~For travelling outside the Schengen area, you need permission from~~ your ~~natural parents~~. ~~Send us your travel information~~, ~~including details about your companions, travel dates and destination~~, ~~via email to hallo@afs.ch - We will then coordinate with AFS~~ in ~~your home country~~ to ~~secure~~ your parents~~' approval. Once the approval is obtained, we will notify you promptly~~. '''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''		'''Important: all trips abroad must be approved by AFS!''' '''You must submit your Travel waiver at least three weeks before departure.'''

			'''Travel with a host family, school or club outside of Switzerland requires a Travel Waiver''', in addition to permission from your natural parents.

			'''IMPORTANT:''' '''You will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries!''' Your Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. '''Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.'''

	=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===		=== B. Individual travel with and without overnight stay in Switzerland ===