Vaud Newcomer Admin Kit

Leaving Switzerland before your permit card arrives

Last checked: 5 Oct 2026. Unofficial student guide, not EPFL or government advice: confirm on the linked official pages before you act. Unfamiliar abbreviation? See the Glossary.

This is orientation, not immigration advice, confirm with the Population Office (SPOP) and EPFL before you book a trip.

Why this page exists

EPFL states that the commune registration attestation (the paper you get while waiting for the residence permit) will not allow you to re-enter Switzerland if you leave the country. The permit card itself can take a few months. Short trips home (Christmas, family emergencies) before the card arrives are a common trap.

Source: EPFL, Residence permit

Before you leave: check your visa type

EPFL’s section “Going out of Switzerland without the residence permit” says:

  1. If your visa is a multi-entry visa and you are still within its validity deadlines, you can leave and re-enter Switzerland without a new visa.
  2. If your visa is not multi-entry, you must ask the population office for a return visa. EPFL states this new visa is delivered at their desk the same day. Bring:
    • a passport photo less than 6 months old, and
    • your valid passport.

EPFL also recommends requesting a multiple-entry visa when you first apply abroad, so you can leave and return during the visa’s validity (~3 months) before the permit card arrives.

Sources:

Where to ask in Vaud (confirmed 5 Oct 2026): in person at the counters of the Service de la population (SPOP), Division étrangers, Av. de Beaulieu 19, 1014 Lausanne (ground floor), Monday to Friday 08:00 to 11:30 and 13:30 to 16:00 (Thursday until 16:30). The canton lists only two documents (a valid passport and a passport photo less than 6 months old) and no application form; if all conditions are met, the return visa is issued at the counter during your visit. Fee: CHF 85 from age 12 (CHF 42.50 for ages 6 to 11; free in some family cases listed on the page). Nationals of EU/EFTA states, and of Andorra, Australia, Brunei, Japan, Malaysia, Monaco, New Zealand, San Marino, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vatican City, do not need a return visa. SPOP may ask for more documents. Sources: État de Vaud, Visa de retour, État de Vaud, Guichets de la Division étrangers. SEM also recommends contacting cantonal migration authorities for a return visa in related situations (SEM FAQ, Entry).

Do not “unregister” for a short trip

EPFL warns: if you inform the Residents’ registration office about your departure without giving another home address in Switzerland (typical for holidays, internship, or a project abroad), on return you will need to apply for a new residence permit and, if needed, a new visa.

If you must re-apply for a visa from abroad after that:

  1. Apply at the nearest Swiss embassy.
  2. Tell them you already had a visa and want to return to Switzerland.
  3. Email services.etudiants@epfl.ch, EPFL says it will notify the Population Office so the request can be treated more rapidly.

Source: same EPFL, Residence permit page (section Temporarily for holidays, internship, project abroad)

Leaving Switzerland for good

During the last month of your stay, EPFL asks you to inform the Residents’ registration office of your upcoming departure, and to contact the population office about whether you can leave. See also Leaving / address change.

Source: EPFL, Residence permit

Quick checklist

Sources

Unofficial student project. Always re-check the linked official pages before you travel.