Study in Switzerland 2024

Although Switzerland is not a member of the EU, it allows EU citizens to attend university in the country. Students that do not have EU/EEA nationality must contact the Swiss embassy or consulate in their home country to apply for a visa prior to entering the country.

For courses of up to three months – summer courses, language schools – you may need a short-term Schengen C visa; for courses longer than three months, you may need a long-term national D visa.

You cannot come to Switzerland on a three-month tourist visa and change it to a student residence permit after you have arrived in Switzerland. Thus, even if you are exempt from needing an entry visa, such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Japan, Malaysia, or Singapore nationals, you will still need to apply for a residence permit before you arrive if you plan to stay longer than 90 days.

All international students, including EU/EFTA citizens, will have to apply for a residence permit at a Residents Registration Office within 14 days after their arrival in Switzerland.

You’ll need to apply for a visa through the Swiss embassy or consulate in your home country.

When you have received confirmation of acceptance by a Swiss university or private school, you will need to contact the Swiss embassy in your country for information on entry formalities for Switzerland. You will have to show proof that you have adequate financial means to support yourself during your studies.

You will need to complete an application form and submit supporting documentation in French, German, or English, so you may need to translate your documents.

For short-term Schengen C visas, documentation includes:

• a valid passport/travel ID;
• proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland;
• healthcare/accident 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.

For a long-term D visa, documents will include:

• a valid passport/travel ID;
• proof of adequate financial resources to cover your costs while you’re in Switzerland, whether yourself or a sponsor, such as copies of bank statements or a letter from the bank;
• proof of healthcare insurance which includes cover for accidents;
• motivation letter outlining why you want to come to Switzerland to study and how this will be beneficial to your career;
• confirmation of enrolment at a recognized Swiss educational institution;
• confirmation of 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.

You may also be asked to sit a language test to make sure that you will be able to follow lessons.

If you want to undertake postgraduate studies, you’ll need to submit proof that you’ve been admitted to a post-grad course and have the appropriate qualifications, sufficient financial means, and somewhere to live.

Your visa application may be rejected if you are not able to show proof of the required funds, or if you provide incorrect or incomplete documents.