Switzerland Student Visa

If students want to study in Switzerland at a well-known university, first, they must find a course and get accepted onto it. Once they have confirmed that they have a place to study (a certificate of enrolment), then they can apply for a visa to study in the Country.

For courses of up to three months – summer courses, language schools – students may need a short-term Schengen C visa; for courses longer than three months, they may need a long-term national D visa.

Applying for a Swiss visa

Students need to apply for a student visa and this can be done through the Embassy of Switzerland. They need to complete an application form and submit supporting documentation, in English.

For short-term Schengen C visas, documentation includes:

• A valid passport/travel ID
• Proof of adequate financial resources to cover their costs while in Switzerland;
• Healthcare/accident insurance;
• Confirmation of booked courses including fees paid;

If a student is under 18, a birth certificate and authorization to travel is compulsory.

For a long-term D visas, documents will include:

⦁ A valid passport/travel ID

⦁ Proof of adequate financial resources to cover costs while in Switzerland, the student will also need a copy of bank statement or a letter from the bank

⦁ Proof of healthcare insurance which includes cover for accidents

⦁ Motivation letter outlining why student want to come to Switzerland to study and how this will be beneficial to their career

⦁ Confirmation of enrolment at a recognized Swiss educational institution

⦁ Confirmation of course fees paid

⦁ Students’ CV

⦁ Copies of previous educational certificates and diplomas

⦁ A signed letter confirming that student will leave Switzerland at the end of the course

Students may also be asked to sit a language test to make sure that they will be able to follow the lectures.

When you arrive in Switzerland

Students have 14 days after their arrival in Switzerland to register their arrival and arrange to get the residence permit from the cantonal migration offices (if required). They’ll be issued with a permit B in the form of a biometric card. It’s valid for a year and renewable.

Working in Switzerland while you’re a student

Students can work part-time while studying for up to 15 hours a week in term time and full-time during holidays, but only after they have lived in Switzerland for six months.

Postgraduate studies

If a student wants to apply for postgraduate studies, they’ll need to submit a proof that they’ve been admitted to a post-grad course and have the appropriate qualifications, sufficient financial means and a proper place to live.

Family members of students coming to Switzerland

Students’ family members cannot come with them or join them while they are a student in Switzerland. However, there are some exceptions: those holding Confederation grants, doctoral students, visiting professors, post-docs and other academics.

What’s Next?

We at Global Opportunities help students throughout with free counseling on their study abroad queries. With our 15 offices operating across India, we are nearer to every student.

Global Education Fair is being organized every year where hundreds of International Universities mark their presence where our education experts, counselors and other officials like ex-visa officers, travel advisors provide students free detailing on the courses, universities, places and numerous available options that fulfill their dream of studying abroad.

Students can get their Visa queries resolved on Toll-Free 1800-111-119 by fixing an appointment with our Ex-Visa Officials.

Contact Global Opportunities and speak to a counselor today.