Registration in Zurich

If you are staying in Switzerland for a period longer than 3 months, you must apply for a residence permit. Within 14 days of your arrival, you are required to report in person to the local Residents’ Registration Office of your municipality.

In the city of Zurich, these offices are called “Kreisbüro” (district office) and you are required to register at the office of your local district.

You are required to bring different documents, depending on your nationality and whether you are employed at UZH. There is also a registration fee. Further, all newcomers will be asked to make an appointment at the Migration Office Zurich for the registration of their biometric identification.

• Passport or identity card
• Employment contract (if you're employed by UZH)
  OR
  proof of sufficient financial means (if you're not employed by UZH); a letter from your parents or partner confirming they'll support you is sufficient
• Rental agreement*
• Confirmation of enrollment (PhD students only)
• Beiblatt Qualifikationsstellen (in German) signed by your institute/department at UZH 
• Money: CHF 40 (registration fee) + CHF 65 (fee for identification card) 

* If you only have a temporary address for a few weeks or months, you must still register within 14 days of your arrival. In this case it's best to have a sub-lease or a reservation confirmation at hand. The Residents' Registration Office will then check your information. If you move to another district within the city of Zurich after finding permanent accommodation, you'll just have to register again in the new district. If you move outside the city of Zurich, you first have to deregister at the Residents' Registration Office. This can be done either in person or in written form by indicating the date you're moving and both your old and your new address.

• Passport
• Approval for residence permit (if you are a citizen of Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand or Singapore)
• Employment contract (from UZH or home institution abroad)
  OR
  proof of sufficient financial means (if you're not employed by UZH)
• Rental agreement*
• Confirmation of enrollment (PhD students only)
• Beiblatt Qualifikationsstellen (in German) signed by your institute/department at UZH 
• Money: CHF 40 (registration fee) + CHF 142 (fee for identification card)  

* If you only have a temporary address for a few weeks or months, you must still register within 14 days of your arrival. In this case it's best to have a sub-lease or a reservation confirmation at hand. The Residents' Registration Office will then check your information. If you move to another district within the city of Zurich after finding permanent accommodation, you'll just have to register again in the new district. If you move outside the city of Zurich, you first have to deregister at the Residents' Registration Office. This can be done either in person or in written form by indicating the date you're moving and both your old and your new address.