How to apply
You should apply for a visa through the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country. You’ll need to complete an application form and submit supporting documentation, in French, German or English, so you may need to translate your documents.
You will need to provide the following along with your visa application:
Valid passport/travel ID
Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland
Healthcare 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
The visa takes around 10-15 days to process.
Visa costs
Switzerland student visa costs are CHF 88. You may have to pay extra (up to 50% above the standard price) if you need the visa fast-tracked or outside of normal working hours. You’ll have to pay along with the application.
Visa length
The C visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period. As it’s a Schengen visa, it normally allows the holder to travel around the Schengen Area for as long as it is valid.
You cannot come to Switzerland on a C visa and change it to a long-stay visa after you’ve arrived. Even if you are from a non-EU country exempt from needing an entry visa, you will still need to apply for a residence permit before you arrive if you plan to stay longer than 90 days. If your circumstances change once you are in Switzerland, you should contact your cantonal immigration office.
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Long-term D student visas in Switzerland
This Swiss study visa entitles you to come and study any course that lasts for longer than three months.
Requirements
You will need to have an offer to study at a recognized University or educational institution. You can find links to Swiss universities through CRUS (German website for the Rectors Conference of the Swiss Universities). In addition to this, you will need to show that you have the necessary qualifications and attributes to undertake the course you are applying for, sufficient means to support yourself financially, and health insurance coverage for your stay.
Study in Switzerland ConsultantUniversity of Geneva library
For some courses, you may also be asked to sit a language test to make sure that you will be able to follow lessons.
How to apply
You should apply for your Switzerland student visa at the Swiss Embassy or consulate in your home country once you have been accepted onto a study course. Processing times for the D visa are typically 8-10 weeks, so it’s advisable to give yourself 3-6 months to apply.
In addition to submitting the visa application form, you will need to provide:
Valid passport/travel ID
Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland, such as copies of bank statements or a letter from the bank
Proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland, such as copies of bank statements or a letter from the bank
Proof of healthcare insurance which includes cover for accidents
Personal study plan with information on the purpose of your studies and your motivation for doing them
Confirmation of enrolment at a recognized Swiss educational institution and of any 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
Visa costs
Your Swiss student D visa will cost you CHF 88. You may have to pay extra (up to 50% above the standard price) if you need the visa fast-tracked or outside of normal working hours. You’ll have to pay along with the application.
In addition to this, you will need to pay for your Swiss residence permit which you will require to stay in Switzerland for longer than 90 days. Costs are around CHF 160.