Non-EU/EFTA Nationals
1 - First Step: Register with the Canton of Fribourg
Since the request to enter Switzerland was initiated by the Swiss consular representation in your home country, SPOMI (the cantonal Office for Migration and Population) will already have access to the documents you have submitted to receive your visa.
Upon your arrival in Fribourg, you will have 14 days to submit the following documents (note: this list may slightly vary according to each individual situation):
- Duly filled declaration of arrival (in French and German)
- Attach all the annexes requested in the form, plus:
- A recent ID photograph
- A copy of your ID or valid passport (if your passport was stamped at customs, you may want to include a copy of this page as well).
You can send these documents as pdf files via email: spomi@fr.ch or via postal mail to the following address:
Service de la population et des migrants
Rte d’Englisberg 11
1763 Granges-Paccot
You will then receive an invitation to go to SPOMI in person to capture your biometric data. The invitation comes with a bill, which you will have to pay before your appointment. Finally, your residence permit will be mailed to you.
2 - Second Step: Register with the City of Fribourg
You will also need to register with the “Contrôle des habitants” within 14 days. Please note that this registration must be done in person and is subject to a fee, too. You will find detailed information on what you should do to move to Fribourg here (in French or German).
Here is a list of the documents you may need to present to register with the city (note: this list may vary according to each individual situation):
- Valid passport or ID
- Your residence permit and/or the declaration of arrival form (which you will already have shared SPOMI: in French or German)
- Confirmation you have valid health insurance (for each member of your family)
- Rental agreement
- If you are married and/or have children: your marriage certificate and/or birth certificate of your children
- CHF 20 for each adult
Note: if you are settling in another city, you will have to register with the appropriate municipality. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the closest neighboring cities:
The Welcome Center for Academics will be happy to offer you guidance and support as you go through these steps, but for complex situations that may require legal advice, you may consider contacting a specialized service for immigrants in the canton of Fribourg: CCSI. Alternately, Fribourg pour tous, a service designed to offer social information and guidance, may also be able to assist you in finding the help you may need.