Switzerland - Student Visa

What is student Visa?

If you are not a Swiss citizen, but want to take advantage of quality education and training system in Switzerland, you must apply for a student visa.

To be granted a student visa you must satisfy the visa requirements and comply with a number of visa conditions for attendance and academic performance which come into effect after you have entered Switzerland. Your student visa will list the conditions that apply specifically to you. It is important to comply with your visa conditions to avoid visa cancellation.

Foreign nationals can study in Switzerland for a period of up to 3 months without a student/residence permit.

Visa Application Procedure

• The application has to be submitted to the Swiss Embassy which will then be forwarded to the Cantonal authority, in Switzerland. The whole process takes 6 to 8 weeks.
• All students need to schedule their interviews by email (ndh.vertretung@eda.admin.ch) and appear personally on the allotted time and date.
• Three Copies of typed written applications forms , fully completed and signed by the applicant.
• Valid passport with available pages for visa sticker and of “standard” quality (not damaged, torn, faded etc). Will be handed back to you after the interview.
• Your previous passport. (If available)
• 4 new passport sized photographs (size 35-40mm in width, no copy or scanned photograph). 3 photograph should be pasted on the three forms and the other photo to be given along with the application. Stapled or pinned photographs would not be accepted.

Guidelines for Clicking Photograph Not more than 6-months old 35-40 mm in width; close-up 85% of the photograph in sharp focus and clear of high quality with no ink mark or creases show looking directly at the camera show skin tones naturally have appropriate brightness and contrast printed on high-quality paper and at high resolution be colour-neutral show eyes open and clearly visible- no hair across eyes show facing square on to the camera, not looking over one shoulder (portrait style) or tilted, and show both edges of face clearly taken with a plain light-co loured background which is in contrast with the clothes. taken with uniform lighting and not show shadows or flash reflections on face and no red eyes 2/2

If the applicant wears glasses:

Photograph must show eyes clearly with no flash reflection off the glasses, and no tinted lenses (if possible, avoid heavy frames and wear lighter framed glasses).The frames should not cover any part of the eyes
Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons, but facial features from bottom of chin to top of forehead and both edges of face must be clearly shown photograph must show applicant only (no chair backs, toys, or other people visible), looking at the camera with a neutral expression and with mouth closed

The following documents have to be submitted in original as well as copies in triplicate of the same:

• Curriculum vitae including an explanation of the intentions of the applicant in Switzerland
• An attestation from the school/college/university in Switzerland (acceptance letter)
• Receipt of payment of school fees from Switzerland
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System) Certificate from British Council
• Type-written declaration by the applicant stating that he/she will return to India on the completion of his/her studies
• Affidavit/covering letter on business letterhead from the sponsor stating that he/she would bear the study expenses.
• Copies of first and last pages of passport.
• Evidence of financial resources (Bank statement/Certificate, Income-Tax papers) of the applicant
• or the person who sponsors his/her education. Fixed Deposits will not be considered.
• Letter from the bank confirming that the loan (if any) has been sanctioned
• Proof of academic qualification (Certificates, diplomas)
• The above mentioned documents have to be clipped together (not stapled) in order as mentioned above.
• All individuals applying for a student visa will be charged the following fees provided they are going to stay over a period of 90 days in Switzerland.
  

• Visa Fees INR 4250 
• Postage INR 300

Students who are accepted at ETH and EPFL for an internship (will receive a stipend) have to pay

Only INR 300 as postage fee for the forms to be sent to Switzerland.
The decision to conduct a language test rests solely with this Embassy.
No enquiries on telephone / e-mail will be entertained after the submission of the application.

IMPORTANT:

• Photocopies of all relevant documents must be provided for the Embassy.
• Do not submit originals. Once submitted, no document will be returned.
• Please note that this is not exhaustive list. If necessary, you may be requested to bring additional documentation or to appear for a personal interview.
  

Required documents for applicants visiting EPFL, ETH or Universities in Switzerland. The following documents are essential for a complete visa application.

• Schengen Visa application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant.
• Passport valid at least three months beyond the stay in the Schengen area, with available pages for visa sticker and of "standard" quality (not damaged, torn, faded etc).
• our previous passports, if available.
• One clear photocopy of good quality of your passport (first & last page).
• One copy of the exit visa, if the applicant intends to go to a country afterwards where an entry visa is needed.
• If there is any observation in the passport (name, gender, date of birth., expiry date, passport no. or spouse name) one clear photocopy of the same.
• Two new passport sized photographs (size 35-40mm in width, no copy or scanned photograph). One photo should be pasted on the form and the other photo to be given along with the application. Stapled or pinned photographs would not be accepted.
  

Visa is free of charge:

For applicants / visitors going for research (provided that they will not receive any type of financial compensation such as fellowship or any other amount).
For applicants, who have been accepted on scholarship basis. (Swiss governmental scholarships or scholarships provided by EPFL,ETH or universities)

However please take note that if the planned stay in Switzerland is exceeding 90 days, postal charges is to be paid.

Proof of occupation in India

If you are a Student:

• A confirmation letter from the school/institute/university
• Students should attach copies of their college ID Cards.
  

Please be informed, that applicants, who will be getting any type of financial compensation (such as fellowship or any other amount), even if the planned stay is for less than 90 days, have to fill in 3 visa application forms along with 2 sets of the above mentioned documents, which will be forwarded to Switzerland for the necessary approval and will take about 6 to 8 weeks for the processing.

If the planned stay in Switzerland is exceeding 90 days, even then 3 visa application forms are to be filled in with 2 sets of the above mentioned documents, which will be forwarded to Switzerland for the necessary approval and will take about 6 to 8 weeks for the processing.

IMPORTANT:

• Photocopies of all relevant documents must be provided for the Embassy.
• Do not submit originals. Once submitted, no document will be returned.
• Please note that this is not an exhaustive list. If necessary, you may be requested to bring additional documentation or to appear for a personal interview.