Language school fees vary, but generally average around a couple hundred Swiss francs.
Gary Buswell Written by Gary BuswellShare
Find out all you need to know about the Switzerland student visa, including who needs one and what the requirements are.
You may need a Switzerland student visa if you want to enroll in further or higher education in Switzerland. This guide explains the key aspects of this visa including information on what to do if you need one. Read up on everything you need to know about:
Study grants and scholarships in Switzerland
Appeals and complaints about student visas in Switzerland
Many overseas students are attracted to studying in Switzerland, with university courses available in four different languages. Around 26% of university students in Switzerland were foreign in 2020–2021.
University students in Switzerland
However, standards are high and getting into a Swiss university or higher education institution isn’t easy. You will need an offer for a recognized course. Additionally, you may need a Swiss student visa if you are coming from outside the EU.
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) in Switzerland oversees all visas and immigration to the country, although much of the administration is done by the local cantonal migration offices.
Read more about higher education in our Guide to Swiss universities
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Who needs a student visa in Switzerland?
Residents from the European Union (EU) and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) (Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway) do not need a visa to take up studies in Switzerland. You will only need to prove that you have been accepted onto a course with a registered institution. If you are staying in Switzerland for longer than 90 days, you will need to apply for a Swiss residence permit from your local canton.
If you are not an EU/EFTA citizen, you will need a Switzerland student visa to study in the country. Residents of certain non-EU/EFTA nations can come to Switzerland for short study courses or training without a visa, as long as they don’t stay in the country for more than 90 days. You can find information on individual countries on the SEM website.
Read our Guide to visas and immigration in Switzerland
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Types of student visas in Switzerland
There are two types of Switzerland student visa:
Study in Switzerland ConsultantThe Schengen “C” visa – allows you to stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days so it is perfect for short courses, seminars, summer schools, or language schools.
The National “D” visa – a long-term study visa that can be used for anything lasting longer than three months, such as degree courses or PhD studies.
Short-term C student visas in Switzerland
If you plan to study in Switzerland for three months or less, you can get a Schengen C visa to cover you for the duration of your stay.
Requirements
You will need to be accepted onto a recognized study course in Switzerland. In addition to this, you will need to purchase health insurance coverage and show that you can support yourself financially during your time in Switzerland.
Two women studying in a Swiss university classroom
Two women studying in a Swiss university classroom
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.