Switzerland

SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA

Visas and permits to study in Switzerland

If you want to come to Switzerland to study at a university or equivalent, first you must find a course and get accepted onto it. Once you have confirmation that you have a place (a certificate of enrolment), you can apply for a visa (if you need one) to study in Switzerland.

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

APPLYING FOR A SWISS VISA

You’ll need to apply for a visa through the Embassy of Switzerland. You’ll 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 your costs while you’re in Switzerland;
• Healthcare/accident insurance;
• Confirmation of booked courses including fees paid;

If you’re under 18, a birth certificate and authorization to travel if coming to Switzerland alone, or copies of parents’ visas if they will be accompanying.

FOR A LONG-TERM D VISAS, DOCUMENTS WILL INCLUDE:

• A valid passport/travel ID.
• Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland, whether yourself or a sponsor, such as copies of bank statements or a letter from the bank.
• Proof of healthcare insurance which includes cover for accidents.
• Motivation letter outlining why you want to come to Switzerland to study and how this will be beneficial to your career.
• Confirmation of enrolment at a recognized Swiss educational institution.
• Confirmation of course fees paid.
• Your CV.
• Copies of previous educational certificates and diplomas.
• A signed letter confirming that you will leave Switzerland at the end of the course.

You may also be asked to sit a language test to make sure that you will be able to follow lessons.

If you want to undertake post-graduate studies, you’ll need to submit proof that you’ve been admitted to a post-grad course and have the appropriate qualifications, sufficient financial means and somewhere to live.

WHEN YOU ARRIVE IN SWITZERLAND

You have 14 days after your arrival in Switzerland to register your arrival and arrange to get your residence permit from the cantonal migration offices (if required). While you are waiting for your B permit (which may take some weeks), you’ll be given attestation that will allow you to open a bank account but won’t allow you to leave the country. You’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

If you are coming to Switzerland to study you may take up part-time work for up to 15 hours a week in term time and full-time during holidays, but only after you have lived in Switzerland for six months.

If you already hold a Master’s degree from a foreign university and you’re in Switzerland working for your Swiss university or institute, you don’t have to wait six months but can start work straight away. Your employer will need to get a work permit for you. You will need to maintain your full-time student status and show that you are continuing to make progress in your studies.

POSTGRADUATE STUDIES

if you want to continue your studies as a postgraduate at a Swiss university, you can apply for a residence permit to stay but you must already have an offer of a place. It is the employer who submits the application on your behalf. The maximum residence period is two years.

FAMILY MEMBERS OF STUDENTS COMING TO SWITZERLAND

Your family members cannot come with you or join you while you are a student in Switzerland. This is because students are issued with a temporary residence permit (e.g. permit B) and only foreigners holding a settlement permit C can bring their families to join them. However, there are some exceptions: those holding Confederation grants, doctoral students, visiting professors, post-docs and other academics.

WHAT’S NEXT?

We at Apply Overseas helps you throughout and provides you free counselling on your study abroad queries. You can contact us for all your queries and we will provide you free assistance for your study abroad options.

Get your Visa queries resolved by fixing an appointment with our Ex-Visa Officials.

Contact Apply Overseas and speak to a counselor today.