Pre-Arrival
We are looking forward to seeing you at the IPDET 2024 On-Site program! Before planning your trip, please read the information below on visa, medical insurance and on-site registration.
Visa and Entry to Switzerland
Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to travel to Switzerland. Almost all nationals of non-European Union (EU) and non-European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries require a short-stay Schengen tourist visa for up to 90 days, which allows entry to the whole Schengen area, including Switzerland. You can check your visa provisions according to nationality here.
Contact the embassy or the Swiss consulate in your own country for information on visa regulations and application. Please note that a visa can take up to ten weeks to be issued. The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs informs on visa requirements and offers an online visa system.
Despite variations between countries, these are general requirements to apply for a Swiss Tourist Schengen Visa for educational training purposes:
- An invitation letter stating the purpose of the visit to Switzerland from the inviting organization
- Filled in and signed application form
- Valid passport, two recent passport format photos and proof of civil status
- Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Switzerland
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland
- Proof of compliant travel medical insurance
Visitors are required to have their medical insurance coverage while in Switzerland. More information here and in the below section.
Each participant must make their own travel arrangements. Bern is a popular tourist destination in summer, and you are encouraged to apply for a visa as early as possible.
Medical Insurance
Visitors are required to have their insurance coverage while in Switzerland. Prior to attending the program, you must secure sufficient coverage for medical emergencies during your stay. IPDET will not cover any costs related to medical matters. Please verify with your insurance provider or obtain medical travel insurance before departing to Switzerland. Ensure that your medical coverage meets the following criteria:
- Valid for the duration of your visit to Switzerland
- Minimum coverage amount of EUR 30,000
Arriving the campus
Participants are encouraged to arrive in Bern one day in advance of the start of their course. This allows arrival by daylight, sufficient time to get oriented to the city and the university setting, and rest from travel.
Please plan your travel, noting our on-site registration time.
On-Site Registration
Week 1: July 14, Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Week 2: July 21, Sunday, 2:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Location: Lobby on the ground floor of UniS, University of Bern, Schanzeneckstrasse 1, 3012 Bern.
If you will be accommodated in one of the student’s houses, it is advisable to go to the on-site registration directly from the train station before you proceed to the student’s house. If you will stay in a hotel or have another accommodation option, please come for registration within the timeslot.
Have in mind for your travel plan that your stay at the student’s house will end on July 20, Saturday or on July 27, Saturday. If you want to stay longer in Bern, you are reminded to arrange your accommodation in advance.
Please advise the IPDET team of your travel plans as soon as they are finalized, with the check-in option on MyIPDET. Although there are direct flights to Zurich, Basel or Geneva, many connections from abroad might go via London Heathrow, U.K.; Paris, France; Amsterdam, the Netherlands; or Frankfurt, Germany. Swiss Airlines is part of Star Alliance, the leading global airline network with an extensive network of routes around the world.
Arriving Bern
You can access the fast train network going directly to Bern’s main station from Zurich, Basel or Geneva’s international airports. Travel time is slightly over an hour from Zurich or Basel and almost 2 hours from Geneva. You only need one city ticket for the train ride and the local public transport from the airport to your accommodation location.