What to do upon arrival
Go to the place where you will stay
City bus from the station: prices from 1.60.- to 2.60.- CHF; get your ticket from the automatic machine (does not return change).
Taxis are quite expensive, even for small trips.
Careful: Be sure to get the necessary information about where and when you can pick up your keys before leaving. If you plan on arriving in the evening or during the weekend (from Friday to Sunday) you may have to stay in a hotel or youth hostel (closes at 10 p.m.).
Attend the information meeting
(Students: ERASMUS, CONVENTION, FREEMOVER, ISEP) Attendance at the information session organized by the IRO is mandatory. Necessary documents (student card, e-account, certificate of registration) will be given out then along with other important information. It will also be the best occasion to ask questions concerning your stay.
For those students who cannot come to the session, please inform the IRO the reasons why you cannot attend the information session. In this case you will have to come to the IRO to announce your arrival and be handed over the documents.
ATTENTION: ALL INFORMATION COMMUNICATED BY EMAIL (coming from the University of Fribourg or from the International Relations Service) WILL BE SENT TO THE EMAIL ADDRESS OF THE EXCHANGE STUDENTS GIVEN TO THEM BY THE UNIVERSITY OF FRIBOURG - EX: xxxx.yyyyyy@unifr.ch (Please regularly check the email).
Go to the IRO
(Students: Scholarship students of the Confederation and Scholarship students of the University of Fribourg): pass at the IRO. Necessary documents (student card, e-account, certificate of registration) will be given out then along with other important information.
Go to the service of immigration
Citizens of the European Union may apply by postal mail for the Student Permit within 14 days upon arrival in Fribourg.
Citizens of countries non member of the European Union must go personally to the Service of Immigration -SPOMI- in order to apply for the Student Permit. Be sure to go to the Service of Immigration (SPOMI) within 14 days upon arrival.
Documents need for the Student Permit application:
- passport or valid identification card
- certificate of registration at the University of Fribourg (furnished by the IRO)
- 2 photos (passport format)
Address of the Service of Immigration (Service de la population et des migrants): Route d’Englisberg 11 (Portes de Fribourg), 1763 Granges - Paccot. The simplest way to get there is by bus (no. 1) or by car. By foot it takes at least 30 minutes. Opening Hours: from Monday to Friday 8 a.m. – 11.30 a.m. and 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
The study visa is sent by mail to the address of the guest student (non degree seeking student) within two weeks and is accompanied by a pay slip.
The cost of the visa tax depends on the length of the stay as well as the sort of visa needed to stay in Switzerland (around 100.- CHF).
For additional information regarding an application for an accessory job, please contact DIRECTLY the Service of Immigration (SPOMI): (see address above).
