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.
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
1. Within the Schengen area
Travel with a host family, school or club within the Schengen area does not require approval from AFS. In this case, simply inform AFS of your plans (travel dates), provide an emergency contact and provide how you can be reached in an emergency.
2. Outside 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.
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, you are free to travel within Switzerland.
C. Day trip visits to neighboring countries
As long as you obtain your host family's permission, and you do not miss any school, you are free to visit a neighboring country of Switzerland on a day trip. Switzerland is bordered by: France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein and Italy.
D. Individual travel outside of Switzerland
Important: all overnight trips abroad must be approved by AFS! You must submit your Travel waiver at least two weeks before departure.
1. you are staying with friends (18+) or relatives (not parents, grandparents or siblings). A completed travel waiver, invitation letter and passport copy from the visiting person MUST be enclosed with the application.
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:
link=https://info.myafs.ch/File:Travel_waiver_process.png|thumb|Travel waiver process In order for such a trip to be approved, the following points must be met:
- Your host family agrees to the trip.
- 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 for travel).
- You do not travel with anyone from your immediate family (parents, siblings, grandparents)
- You either stay with relatives or friends or you are accompanied by an adult resident of Switzerland.
- You are not allowed to travel independently for more than 21 days during your exchange program.
- The “Travel Waiver” form is completed and sent to AFS Switzerland: hallo@afs.ch, at least 2 weeks before your departure.
- Your parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of your parents).
Travel visas
Please note that exchange students will only receive their biometric residence permit approximately one to two months after arrival. This permit allows for travel within the Schengen area without any problems. Exchange students from countries requiring a visa may only leave Switzerland with a multiple-entry visa before receiving their residence permit; otherwise, they will not be able to re-enter Switzerland. Therefore, please check the visa details carefully.
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.
Visits from home
Visits from relatives and friends often have a disruptive effect. For this reason, AFS advises against visits from your home country during the exchange program. Visits from natural parents, relatives or friends always require prior approval from the host family and AFS Switzerland.
Travelling outside Switzerland with visitors from your home country is not permitted during the program.
IMPORTANT: Your Swiss residence permit allows for travel within the Schengen Area. (For more information on Schengen, see: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schengen_Area.) For other countries, you may need to apply for a visa beforehand. It is your responsibility to aquire any and all required visas prior to travelling.
Make sure you have your passport and your residence permit with you whenever you leave the country.