In addition to being one of the first twenty wealthiest countries in the world, Switzerland is noted for its excellent academic work and ground-breaking research works. Switzerland has a noteworthy number of top-ranked universities in the world. It has been marked as one of the safest countries in Europe. With the Switzerland student visa, a student can engage in part-time jobs for up to fifteen hours a week during school time and they can engage in full-time jobs during the holidays. However, the student must have lived in Switzerland for up to six months to be able to take up the jobs. Furthermore, the student must ensure that jobs do not affect their studies. The company that hires the student will obtain the work permit for them. Also, international students can stay for an extra six months after graduation to look for jobs under the same conditions as Switzerland graduates. Having said all this, let us go straight to our main text.
TYPES OF SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA
There are two types of student visa for studies in Switzerland:
C-type national visa: this visa grants a stay permit in Switzerland for a period of three months. It is ideal for students going for short courses, (summer schools and language schools). These courses usually span for a period of three months. With this visa, you cannot apply for a residency permit. If you have been accepted for a long term course in any Switzerland University, this visa type is not for you.D-type national visa: this visa grants a stay permit in Switzerland for longer than three months. It is ideal for students in long term studies in Switzerland. With this Switzerland student visa type, you will have to apply for a residency permit within 15 days of your arrival to Switzerland. This application can be made and granted at the cantonal migration offices in Switzerland.
SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA
The first step to undertake in applying for the Switzerland student visa is being accepted at a Swiss university. When the Swiss university you applied to accepts you, you will be sent an acceptance letter and a proffer of provisional admission. With this proof of admission, you can then start the application process for your Switzerland student visa. Once you have your proof of provisional admission to a Swiss University, you can then proceed to apply for your Switzerland student visa. You need to fix an appointment with the Switzerland embassy or consulate in your area. Your application form and other required documents must come in English, German or French languages, or otherwise translated to either one of these languages. You are required to come with the documents in the first language and their certified translations.
LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT FOR SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA
Generally, there are no specific language requirements for Switzerland’s student visa. Nevertheless, universities have their language requirements (that is the proof of proficiency in language). This is usually included in the admission requirements for the universities. When applying for a Switzerland student visa, the proof of language proficiency demanded by the university is enough proof for the Switzerland embassy visa offices. However, on some occasions, the Swiss embassy might want to assess the language skill of the applicant. This assessment can come in the form of a short interview at the consulate or an oral and written test. The representative of Switzerland will forward your application and documents and assessment of proficiency in the language to the relevant cantonal migration authorities for approval.
REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA
The documents required for the application process of your Switzerland student visa type ‘D’ are enlisted below:
Three ‘Application for a long-stay visa in Switzerland’. This is also the type D national visa. The visa application forms should be filled and signed appropriately with accurate information.Four passport photographs.A valid international passport. This passport must be valid for an additional three months beyond the planned period of stay in Switzerland.Proof of offer of provisional admission by a Switzerland University.Health care insurance (this should also cover for accidents)Proof of payment for registration of the student and the payment of the tuition fees.Proof of evident proficiency in the language. (This has been explained in the paragraph of language requirements above).Proof of financial stability for living expenses and other school costs. (This is an evidence of having 19 200 euros at the beginning of the year of study.)In the case of an applicant being under a scholarship or loan scheme, an institutional letter of the grant is required. (This letter should contain the value and duration of the grant.)A letter of motivation (This letter should contain why you want to go to Switzerland and how it is beneficial to your career)Curriculum vitaeCopies of previous educational certificates and diplomas.Signed proof of commitment to depart from Switzerland on completion of studies.
The documents required for the application process of your Switzerland student visa type ‘C’ are enlisted below:
A valid international passport.Proof booked courses at a Switzerland University.Health care insurance (this should also cover for accidents)Proof of payment for registration of the student and the payment of the fees for the courses.If the applicant is under 18, a birth certificate should be included and authorization to travel if the applicant is coming alone or copies of parents’ or guardian’s visas if they will be accompanying the student.Proof of financial stability for living expenses throughout the duration of stay.
DURATION OF PROCESSING FOR THE SWITZERLAND STUDENT VISA
The time it takes for the Switzerland student visa to be processed depends on the type of visa one is applying for. C-type national visa: this Switzerland student visa for a short stay in Switzerland is usually processed within ten to fifteen days. D-type national visa: this Switzerland student visa for long term stay in Switzerland is usually processed within eight to ten weeks. It is advised to plan accordingly when applying for the Switzerland student visa with respect to the timetable of the school to which you have been accepted. It is advisable to start the application about six months before the start of the academic calendar, however, ensure that is not beyond ten weeks before departure time.
