Switzerland Student Visa for Indian Students

Switzerland is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. The country’s world-class universities attract more than 8 million people and countless potential students seeking high-quality education. Switzerland has long enjoyed a reputation for its excellent hospitality education. Many international companies choose Switzerland as their headquarters because it is known for its stability, security and multicultural understanding. Therefore, studying in Switzerland enables students to improve their skills. The country is also home to notable universities such as ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Zurich and University of Geneva. An important part of studying in Switzerland is that international students usually require a student visa. Read on to learn about the Switzerland student visa for Indians requirements, types, costs, application process and more!

Do you Need a Switzerland Student Visa? 

Since Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, the Schengen visa gives you the right to enter the country, but if you want to stay there as a student, you need to take a few more steps. The procedures for EU/EFTA and non-EU/EFTA students are different. 

Also Read: USA Student Visa

Residence Permit for EU/EFTA Students 

Are you an EU/EFTA student? In this case, you do not need a visa. All you have to do is to register with the municipality where you live within 14 days of entering Switzerland. There you will obtain a residence permit. The applicant must include the following documents: 

• The applicant must prove that they came to study in Switzerland and attended a university. They will require a certificate from a school or institution. 
• They must also prove that they have health insurance and can pay for living expenses during their stay. 
• Residence permits are usually issued during the course, but can also be issued once a year depending upon the student’s situation.
• Students must not work more than 15 hours a week, otherwise, they must apply for a work permit. 
• The student’s family (spouse and children) can be reunited with the student in Switzerland, but the student must prove that they have sufficient capacity to accommodate him. 

For Non-EU/EFTA Students

Students from non-EU/EFTA countries must apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country. The application must include few documents: 

• Certificates from schools or institutions attended.
• Certificates of tuition payment and support during the study period.
• Written confirmation of leaving Switzerland after completing your studies.
• Updated CV/Resume 
• Swiss authorities can also organize language tests to ensure that students can keep up with the course.

Also Read: Australia Student Visa

Types of Switzerland Study Visas

Non-EU/EFTA students can apply for two types of visas: 

• C Visa (Schengen Visa): This is a short term visa that allows students to reside in Switzerland for a shorter duration. This visa is ideal for summer schools, seminars, and language schools that last for three months. 
• D Visa (National Visa): This is a National Visa and long-term visa if students plan to study full-time. You can only apply for a long-term visa in person at the local Swiss embassy or consulate in your country/region.

Where and When to Apply? 

The first step after receiving the university acceptance letter should be to make an appointment with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your area. These procedures take time, so please make an appointment 6 months before the study. The processing time for short-term visas is approximately 10 to 15 days, and for long-term visas is 8 to 10 weeks. 

Your documents must be in French, German or English. If this is not the language, you will need a certified translation of these documents.

Document Requirements for Switzerland Student Visa

• Application form for a long-stay visa (visa D)
• Passport-size photographs
• Passport – valid three months
• Letter of acceptance issued by a Swiss university
• Proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees
• Proof of sufficient financial coverage of living costs in Switzerland
• Scholarship/Loan proof – Letter of an institution that all expenses for the study will be covered by the scholarship or loan
• CV
• Letter of motivation
• Commitment to leave Switzerland on completion of studies

Application Process for Switzerland Student Visa 

The application process for a Switzerland study visa comprises three parts i.e language requirements, documentation and how to apply for the Switzerland student visa. Let’s go through them step by step:

Language Requirements 

In some cases, the embassy may wish to assess your language skills through a short interview at the consulate, or even oral and written tests. The Swiss representative office sends the entry application, including documents and proof of language skills, to the responsible cantonal immigration authority for approval. Language tests that are accepted by swiss universities are: 

• IELTS Academic 
• PTE Academic 
• TOEFL Academic 

Note: Exams like TOEFL and IELTS are a part of the admission process. Register for the Leverage Live and obtain high scores to get into your desired university abroad. Book a demo now!

Documents Required for Switzerland Student Visa 

• Three forms of application for a long-stay visa (Visa D)
• Four passport size photographs
• Letter of acceptance from Swiss University
• Passport valid three months beyond the planned stay
• Proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees (Original and Copy) 
• Proof of sufficient financial coverage of living expenses in Switzerland for the duration of schooling (21,100 CHF or 19,200 EUR) at the beginning of each year of your studies
• Scholarship/Loan Proof
• CV/Resume 
• Letter of Motivation
• Commitment to leave Switzerland on completion of studies 

Also Read: Sweden Student Visa

How to Apply 

Step 1: Accept the university admission letter: You may also need to pay a deposit or fee to get admission to the university. 
Step 2: Make an appointment at the Swiss embassy or consulate: This is for your visa interview and for submitting your application forms and documents to officials. This is not necessary for all nationalities. 
Step 3: Attend the interview: Provide the required documents, including the visa application form. 
Step 4: Receive the Decision: This may take up to 12 weeks. 
Step 5: Application for a residence permit: You have 14 days after your arrival in Switzerland to register your residence permit at the cantonal immigration office. Your approval may take several weeks, so you may receive a preliminary document.

Switzerland Student Visa Price

The Swiss student visa D fees is CHF 88 (INR 7000 approx). If you need an expedited visa or outside of normal working hours, you may have to pay a surcharge (up to 50 euros higher than the standard price). You must pay along with the application. Also, pay for your Swiss residence permit, and you need to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days. The cost is approximately 160 CHF (INR 12,800). 

Work and Study in Switzerland

Switzerland Student Visa allows international students to take up part-time work for up to 15 hours during the semester. Students can work full-time during holidays. Students can only work after completing 6 months of their studies in the country. Employers need to apply for a work permit to hire international students outside of Europe.

FAQs

We hope that this blog provides you with all the essential details about Switzerland Student Visa. Planning to pursue your dream course in Switzerland? Get in touch with our Leverage Edu experts and we will guide you throughout the process of selecting the right university as well as drafting an impressive application.