|
| Visa & Embassy Information » Switzerland Visa Requirements, Tourist Visa, Swiss Embassy |
| Switzerland Visa Information |
Learn4good provides general information on study, travel, work visa and business visa requirements and the addresses of embassies worldwide. You should contact your local embassy or consulate for the most up-to-date information or visa forms.
For Hotels, Hostels, Car Hire, Jobs and Schools in this country, see the menu options above. See our Travel Forum to create a travel topic and ask questions to fellow travelers. |
 |
Who requires a Visa?
What documents will be required?
Time required to issue a Visa
What is the cost of a Visa?
How long is the Visa valid for?
Other information
Embassy contact information
Travel Guide
Study French Abroad
|
Who requires a visa?
Visas may not be required of citizens of the following countries, for stays up to 90 days:
(a) nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US;
(b) nationals of countries in South and Central America (except nationals of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru who do need a visa);
(c) nationals of Caribbean island states (except nationals of Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti who do need a visa);
(d) nationals of Andorra, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Korea (Rep. Of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tuvalu and Vatican City;
(e) nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Serbia & Montenegro provided they are resident in Canada, Iceland, Norway, USA or EU countries.
Nationals of countries not appearing above, or those staying longer than 90 days may require a visa to study in Switzerland.
Before leaving for Switzerland, you must complete certain important formalities which you should begin as soon as you receive confirmation that you have been accepted by a Swiss university.
To do this, apply to the nearest diplomatic representative of Switzerland with your valid passport, your confirmation of acceptance, and all documents needed to demonstrate that you have financial means for studying in Switzerland.
Ask for an entrance visa for studying in Switzerland.
On the questionnaire, describe your general program of studies and the length of time you expect to study in Switzerland. All subsequent changes to this program must be reported without delay to the appropriate authorities.
You must wait in your country to receive the student permit B visa.
Attention: Do not begin your studies with a tourist visa or you will encounter serious difficulties for the remainder of your stay.
What documents will be required?
A completed application form (3 copies).
1 recent, passport-size photo.
Passport or travel document valid for at least 3 months after intended visit.
Return/onward ticket and visa for next country of destination if required.
Proof of sufficient funds in the form of a recent bank statement.
Note:
a) the visa application must be submitted to the Swiss Embassy/Consulate covering your place of residence.
b) a visa application not submitted to the Swiss Embassy/Consulate covering your place of residence may be turned down if the reasons for submission to any other Swiss Embassy/Consulate seem unclear.
c) you must be in possession of sufficient financial means to cover your cost of living in Switzerland; as a rule, an amount of SFr. 100.- per day is considered sufficient.
d) the Swiss Embassy/Consulate may demand a declaration of guarantee.
e) a visa without explicit further grants by the relevant authorities in charge only allows for a temporary stay in Switzerland.
f) you may only enter Switzerland during the period of use specified in your visa.
g) the maximum duration of your stay in Switzerland is specified in your visa.
h) you may not take up employment during your stay in Switzerland without the required permit nor take up studies exceeding a period of three months.
Declaration of guarantee
The authorities delivering permits in charge may demand a declaration of guarantee, signed by a financially sound natural or legal person in Switzerland, as a means of control over the circumstances of sojourn of a foreigner.
Guarantee may be declared by:
a. Swiss nationals;
b. Foreign nationals holding a permit of sojourn or a permit of residence.
Visa application
A foreign national is required to submit a visa application on the specified application form to the Swiss Foreign Mission covering his or her place of residence. The Swiss Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration determines any exceptions.
Foreign nationals are required to fulfil the following conditions, in addition to the entry regulations according to article 1, for a transit visa:
a. Produce travel documents and visa which entitle the bearer to transit and entry to the country of destination;
b. Produce proof for the airport transit by means of an air ticket valid for their actual destination.
The visa application must be accompanied by the travel document, as well as further documents, if so required, which clearly indicate purpose and circumstances of the intended stay or the intended transit.
Legal rights
If a visa is refused or suspended, the Federal Office of Immigration, Integration and Emigration issues a decree, which is subject to a fee, on request of the applicant.
As a rule, a demand is only entered into after an advance on costs has been made.
Time required to issue visa:
Generally 24 hours; however, travellers are advised to apply at least 1 week prior to departure.
Some applications may need to be referred to the Swiss authorities, which can take 6-8 weeks for approval.
Some applications may need to be referred to the Swiss authorities, which can take 6-10 weeks for approval.
What is the cost of a visa?
Varies, depending on nationality. A student permit is approximately $150.
How long is the visa valid for?
A student permit is valid for the length of the study period.
Visitor visa is valid for up to 3 months.
Transit and airport transit visas are issued to nationals wishing to pass through Switzerland or continuing on a connecting flight to another country.
Holders of transit visas must leave Switzerland within 24 hours of arrival and holders of airport transit visas must continue their journey within 48
Other information:
Formalities to complete in Switzerland for all foreign students:
You must present yourself within ten days of arrival to the appropriate authorities in the town where you will be living.
After matriculating in the university, you must pay fees for the first semester. You will not be definitively registered until you have done this and received the receipt by post. With this receipt, you must visit the town authorities a second time to prove that you are officially registered in the university.
Residence permit
Residence permits are awarded to students who wish to study in Switzerland under the following conditions:
the applicant is coming to Switzerland alone;
the applicant wants to attend a university or some other institution of higher learning;
the program of studies is fixed;
the institution attests in writing that the applicant has been accepted for studies;
the applicant proves necessary financial means;
the applicant guarantees departure from Switzerland at the end of studies.
Upon arrival in Switzerland, you must present yourself to the authorities controlling foreigners in your place of residence with the following documents:
- passport (with student visa, if required)
- statement of arrival provided by the bureau of foreigners
- student questionnaire provided by the bureau of foreigners
- proof of acceptance from the school
- 1 recent passport-style photo
- proof of financial means for the duration of studies, or
- proof of Swiss or foreign financial aid, with the amount indicated, or
- guarantee from parents (form available from the bureau of foreigners). This must be completed by the father or mother, certified by local authorities, and accompanied by a permanent wire transfer order, or
- guarantee from a third party (form available from the bureau of foreigners). The guarantor must live in Switzerland and prove sufficient financial means for the student's upkeep. The guarantor's signature must be notarized by the local authorities.
The request for a residence permit will not be processed until all documents are submitted.
Cost of residence permit: for 1 semester $15-$22; for 2 semesters $18-$25
Residence Tax
All foreign students with B permits must pay a residence tax, without exception.
The lowest tariff possible is approximately $2.50 monthly, for a student living in the same apartment as the landlord. In student dorms, the tax would be the same.
All other students must pay around 7% of their monthly rent for residence tax, which includes a community tax of 6% and a cantonal tax of 1%, approximately. This applies to students who share an apartment with several others and to anyone else not living in the same apartment as the landlord.
This amount is sometimes included in the rent.
Special foreign student statute
(Holders of Confederation scholarships, Conventions of European exchange and mobility/SOCRATES-ERASMUS)
The students mentioned above are exempt from the residence tax upon presentation of an attestation from the Socio-cultural Affairs office.
Embassy contact information:
Please contact the nearest Swiss embassy for information on what documentation you may require to enter Switzerland.
French Schools in Switzerland |
|
|
|
