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 (18+), 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) and how you can be contacted in an emergency.
2. Outside the Schengen area
For travel outside the Schengen area, consent from the student's biological parents is required. Please fil out a travel waiver form and send us an email to sui.support@afs.org with the travel information (with whom, where and when). Once we process your travel waiver, will then obtain consent from the biological parents through AFS in your home country.
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 trips with overnight stays abroad
Important: overnight trips abroad must be approved by AFS! You must submit your application at least two weeks before departure.
1. Your host child is 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:
The required Travel Waiver form can be downloaded from the Global Family Tool (see attachment below, available for download) or can be found here.
In order for such a trip to be approved, the following points must be met:
- You as the host family agree to the trip.
- You have been in Switzerland for at least 4 months and has 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.
- The “Travel Waiver” form* was sent to AFS Switzerland, hallo@afs.ch, at least 2 weeks before the trip.
- Your biological parents agree (AFS Switzerland will contact the partner country and obtain the consent of the biological parents).
* The travel waiver form is available for download in the attachment below. You can use the PDF fill-in mode. Also included is a leaflet "How to get permission" as a resource for the host child.
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: Your host child will need a visa in order to travel to certain countries! The Swiss residence permit only allows travel within the Schengen area. Students are responsible for arranging any visas required for travel before booking.