Visa requirements to groom your academic life in Heaven, Switzerland!

Switzerland! The name reminds us of scenic natural beauty, lakes, the Alps, watches, chocolates, cheese, Swiss knives, to name a few from what this heavenly place has to offer.

Student life in Switzerland can be a matchless experience as one can engage in a wide range of sports, travel to beautiful destinations, relish lip-smacking cuisines, experience its vivid culture, and maybe even try some luxury products.

A trip to Switzerland to study requires suitable eligibility and the right information to apply.

The immigration rule book has a specific set of rules for students applying from a country in the European Union or European Free trade Association (EFTA – Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland) and another for the citizens who do not belong to this region.

One cannot visit Switzerland on a three-month tourist visa and later convert to a student residence permit on arriving in Switzerland.

EU/EFTA countries:

All students applying from the EU/EFTA countries should first consult their local Residents’ Registration Office with the local Municipality and apply for a residence permit within 14 days.

The documentation required are as follows:

* Personal application for residence permit

* Valid passport or identity card

* Proof of registration at the university

* Evidence of sufficient funds (bank certificate or certified document)

* Proof of address at place of residence

* 2 passport-size photographs

Non–EU/EFTA countries:

The first step for the students belonging to non–EU/EFTA countries is to contact the Swiss Embassy or the Swiss consulate in their native country and submit a visa application.

Students should gather all the required information and necessary documents to initiate the visa issuing process.

For short-term Schengen C visas, documentation includes:

* A valid passport/travel ID;

* Proof of adequate financial resources to cover costs while in Switzerland

* Healthcare/accident insurance

* Proof of registration at a university or a Swiss educational institution.

* For those under 18, a birth certificate and authorisation to travel if coming to Switzerland alone, or copies of parents’ visas if they will be accompanying.

For long-term D visas, documents will include:

* A valid passport/travel ID.

* Proof of adequate financial resources to cover costs while in Switzerland. Self-declared or sponsored bank statements.

* Documents of healthcare insurance inclusive of accidental coverage.

* Covering letter describing the reason to choose Switzerland to study and how it will benefit ones career.

* Proof of registration at a university or a Swiss educational institution.

* An updated curriculum vitae

* Photocopies of existing educational certificates and diplomas.

* A signed letter confirming to leave Switzerland on completion of the course.

Application procedure

Aspirant students should submit their applications two months ahead to enrol in the desired program. All applications are subjected to a strict scrutiny by the admission committee. The admission committee’s decision will be made after a comprehensive evaluation of the applicants and an interview, a non-recourse process.

Along with filling the mandatory checklist on the applicator form 6, passport copies of

Degree/Diploma and Scores Copy of TOEFL Score should be submitted.

Medical fitness

It is mandatory for all foreign applicants to submit a medical certificate made three months prior to the procedure. A medical health report must be issued by the doctor if the applicant is under medication treatment or on any form of long-term medication to include in the medical insurance availed in Switzerland.

Scholarships and financial aid

In the first academic year, the international students do not get any financial aid from the universities. However on completion of the first academic year

they are eligible to partial or full scholarships ranging anywhere between Swiss Franc (CHF) 3,000 – CHF 15,000.

Students are permitted to work 20 hours per week during the semester and full time during holidays with an average pay of around CHF 20 per hour

The Swiss Embassy will provide more information on the nuances of availing scholarships or financial aid. The rules vary for students from EU/EFTA countries and others.

Postgraduate studies

On completion of the graduation course, if the candidate is willing to pursue post-graduation at a Swiss university, he/she can apply for a residence permit to stay only if the individual already has a place to stay. If the employer submits the application on behalf of the student, a two-year residence permit will be approved.

Adding to the above, a candidate can get an extended 6-month period of residency on completion of the stipulated course period to work full time.

The above given information is a brief introduction to the core requirements. However, The Swiss Federal Office for Migration (FOM) should be consulted for more specific information on a real-time basis.