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Internship documents, permits and insurance

 

Internship Documents

 

Notes:

  • The internship agreement is only required if no valid contract is in place and is explicitly requested by the company.
  • As a legal entity, the Università della Svizzera italiana cannot assume insurance liability. Therefore, if not covered by the host organization, both accident insurance and liability insurance are the student's responsibility.
  • The internship agreement must be signed before the start of the internship. Please note that it will be countersigned by USI (as the last party) within 3 weeks.
  • If the intern has already graduated, USI can activate an internship agreement within 12 months of graduation, and it may last for a maximum of 12 months (from the date of activation).

 

 

Work and Internship Permits in Switzerland

Common procedure (curricular internship | extracurricular internship | part-time work | summer work)

The procedure must be initiated at least 15 days before the start of the activity:

  1. Submit the Online Request on the website of the Migration Office of the canton where you will be doing your internship (cantonal addresses).
  2. Obtain a signed internship contract from the employer, including start/end dates, work percentage, location, and compensation.
  3. Request Certification from USI:
    • For internships, request the Certification Letter via Mobility Online.
    • For part-time job (15h/week) and full-time summer job (July and August), download the Certificates from GeStu.
  4. Submit the documents to the Cantonal Migration Office

 

Notes:

  • Starting an internship or work activity before formal authorization is illegal.
  • The permit does not become a "work permit" — it remains a study permit with the possibility of work activity.
  • Check the procedure for Cross-border commuters (without a permit) for work activity up to 90 days per year.
  • Non-EU/EFTA students: any ancillary or internship activity is permitted no earlier than 6 months after obtaining the foreign national permit and is subject to notification and prior authorization from the very first hour of work.
  • If compensation exceeds CHF 2,300 per calendar year and per employer, the employer must request your AVS number. If you do not have your AVS number, request it from USI Human Resources.

It is the student's responsibility to verify the specific procedures applicable to their situation and to contact directly the competent Migration Office and the relevant social insurance authorities in their canton of reference.

 

 

Insurance for Internships and Work in Switzerland

Health Insurance (LAMal)

Health insurance coverage is mandatory for any internship or work activity in Switzerland.

Below is a summary table of the cases in which an exemption can be requested.

  curricular internship 15 hours / week summer job
EU student from Italy, France, Germany, and Austria exemption request exemption request mandatory
EU / EFTA student exemption request mandatory mandatory
Non-EU / EFTA student (Swisscare) exemption request mandatory

mandatory

NB. Exemption is not guaranteed for extracurricular internships.

 

Exemption Request

The exemption/non-affiliation request form must be submitted in original within 3 months of the date of entry into Switzerland / start of work or internship activity:

It is the student's responsibility to verify the specific procedures applicable to their situation and to contact directly the competent Migration Office and the relevant social insurance authorities in their canton of reference.

 

Expand All

  • Work in Switzerland for international recent graduates

    International recent graduates wishing to continue living in Switzerland to seek employment after graduation must contact the Migration Office of the Canton where they intend to live during the job search.

    All international recent graduates who have completed a university degree programme in Switzerland are entitled to apply for an L permit for a maximum duration of 6 months for job search purposes (not internships). If during their studies at USI foreign students have benefited from an exemption from the obligation of medical-healthcare insurance, it is important to note that this exemption expires upon graduation. Therefore, the student becomes subject to the obligation of health insurance coverage in Switzerland (KVG/LAMal).

    If a recent graduate finds a job within the six-month period, it is the employer's responsibility to inform the Migration Office of the start of employment and to request a work permit. However, if no job is secured, the L permit will expire and cannot be renewed. In such a case, the alumnus/-a must leave the country unless they have obtained legal permission to stay in Switzerland.

    Are you a USI recent graduate, coming from an EU/EFTA country and looking to work in Switzerland? Check the following documents/links for more information:

    • EU and EFTA nationals: FAQ

    Are you a USI recent graduate, coming from a Non-EU/EFTA country, and looking to work in Switzerland? Check the following documents/links for more information:

    It is the student's responsibility to verify the specific procedures applicable to their situation and to contact directly the competent Migration Office and the relevant social insurance authorities in their canton of reference.

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