Dear members,

greetings to all I am new to this website. I have been offered a PhD position in Zurich (UZH) and I have received a scan copy of document ERMACHTIGUNG ZUR VISUMERTEILUNG in German I wanted to know what is this document about and what will be the next step towards getting Visa ? I Have visited the VFS web site and Swiss embassy web site for the same , from there I could learn that one has to have Euro 30000 insurance coverage what is this and how to get it ? kinldy guide me on the same

The basic immigration process is that you take some paperwork and money to your local Swiss embassy or consulate and they place an immigration visa in your passport. I believe that the "ERMACHTIGUNG ZUR VISUMERTEILUNG" is part of this paperwork. Then you have something like 3 months to enter Switzerland and register which then causes a more permanent identification card to be sent to you.

The details of this are dependent on the exact type of visa (I'm not sure if research visa's are different) and the processes of your local embassy or consulate.

You'll probably need an appointment at said consulate anyway. So, send an email to your local consulate. "I am a citizen of x, living in y, and I have been offered a job at UZH. I have an 'ERMACHTIGUNG ZUR VISUMERTEILUNG'. I am [single/married] [with/without] children. What paperwork will [I/we] need to receive [my/our] entry visa(s)? When can I bring it in, and how long will it take?"

This Swiss may be sticklers for rules and forms and such, but my experience is that they are happy to explain them when asked nicely and ahead of time.

You probably won't need any insurance paperwork yet. If so, it is something different from, say, my situation. However, once you take up residence the local authorities will want to make sure that you have health insurance - which is easy, and you will have a month or more to sort it out.