Switzerland is one of the best countries in the world to get an education. With world-class facilities and renowned experts, it’s considered a smart move to get a Swiss degree. But this isn’t your typical cakewalk — the visa application process can long and with various documentation required, and you will have to follow certain steps.
The purpose of this blog is to provide prospective foreign students with a comprehensive list of what they will need for their stay in our country. This blog is dedicated to you. I’m sure you will find it useful.
Prior to the start of your studies, it is mandatory to check if you require a visa when entering Switzerland or studying in Geneva based on your nationality.
EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS
EU students do not require a visa for entering Switzerland or studying in Geneva. You are only required to have a European Union ID card or passport.
If you are a student who comes from one of the EEA countries or EFTA countries, you are required to have a passport.
NON-EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS
Students who are coming to Switzerland from non-EU countries are required to apply for a visa prior to their arrival in Switzerland. Our SSBM team will help assist and guide you through the whole student entry visa and permit process.
SSBM will provide you with all the necessary documents that you will need to complete and take to the Swiss embassy in your country.
NON-EUROPEAN UNION CITIZENS ARE REQUIRED TO HAVE THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS:
- Passport
- Certificate of Enrollment at SSBM Geneva
- Bank Certificate (stating a minimum amount of CHF 30.000.00 in the bank account)
- CV
- Letter of Motivation
- Address of Accommodation in Switzerland
- Two Passport Size Photos
- Copy of Diploma
- Copy of Transcript of Records
- Acceptance Letter (provided by SSBM)
- Admission Letter (provided by SSBM)
- Return Statement (stating your departure from Switzerland after your studies are completed)
- Completed D Form
VISA PROCEDURE
Step 1
In case you are not sure if you need to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland, please check HERE and choose your country of nationality from the drop-down menu at the top.
Applications for a study visa must be submitted to the Swiss Embassy, proceeding further to the Swiss Cantonal authorities. The whole process takes up to 4 months so you should apply for your study visa as soon as you receive your acceptance package.
You should apply for your student visa as soon as you receive your acceptance package.
Swiss Student Visas
Application via the Nearest Swiss Embassy or Consulate
STEP 1
Students contact the nearest Swiss Embassy/Consulate to confirm what papers are needed.
Embassies are free to require anything they wish. The below list is a bare minimum. (Embassies frequently require more, which is why we suggest students contact the embassy first, before submitting anything or arranging the interview since Students must indicate their e-mail address and a contact phone number in case additional information is required.
Make sure you are accepted by SSBM Geneva and have paid at least 30% of the total tuition fee.
In case of “Autorisation habilitant les représentations suisses à délivrer un visa” refusal, all fees will be refunded, except the application fee and cancellation fee of 1.500 Euro, as applicable, which are non-refundable.
Standard Requirements by Consulates/Embassies to Apply for a Visa.
-1 page “Motivation Letter” clearly explaining your reasons for choosing SSBM, Geneva and Switzerland.
-Application forms from the Geneva Canton (Form “D”), which are fully completed and signed by the applicant. Applications which are not duly completed, dated, and signed will not be accepted.
-1 page “Study Plan” explaining your plans for studying at SSBM and your future degree intentions (You must specify whether you intend to study further beyond your first degree at SSBM as the authorities wish to know your total intended time in Switzerland)
-1 page “Return Statement” that you will leave Switzerland and return to your country of origin after you have completed your intended studies -A valid Passport and three copies of the applicant’s valid passport.
-The “Acceptance Letter” from SSBM -The “Admission Letter” from SSBM -Proof of financial stability i.e. recent bank statements (several copies each) of an applicant or sponsor (Should the fund be financed by a third party, please enclose an official letter of guarantee by the third party)
-Detailed Correct Curriculum Vitae (C.V.). This should clearly highlight any previous studies and any professional experience -4 recent passport-size photos (please write your name on the back of each photo, very strict requirements please consult the details on the embassy webpage)
-1 page Proof of Address in Switzerland or Attestation Letter from SSBM with the address of the SSBM apartment (Upon request)
-The price of postage if the student is permitted to submit his/her passport by mail.
-Several copies of previous diplomas and school certificates.
-Several copies of a resume (biographical data, schools attended, etc.).
Please never give original documents to the Embassy/Consulate because you will not get them back, only give good7readable copies. Keep the originals for yourself as you will need to present them at the authenticity session once you have arrived on campus.
STEP 2
The student completes the application form and presents it with all supporting documentation at the Embassy.
The manner of submission varies from Embassy to Embassy. Before applying for the entry visa, please consider the following facts:
- In the USA, Canada and the Republic of Rwanda, it can be mailed to the Embassy.
- Very important to know: If the student is more than 30 years old, theoretically no authorization for studies is provided (exception granted if reasons are fully motivated)
- Finances. A student must have a minimum of 25.000-30.000 CHF in his/her bank account while applying for a visa.
STEP 3
The embassy approves or denies the student’s file.
Important information for a student:
There are several reasons why a student’s file can be refused by the Embassy:
1)File is missing something and needs to be presented. In this case, the visa process will continue later.
2)Student did not answer the interview questions.
STEP 4
The file is transferred to Bern. A national reference number is given to every student.
STEP 5
After the national review, the file is reviewed by the Local authorities.
In Geneva, this office is called Office Cantonal de la Population et des Migrations (OCPM). A cantonal reference number is given to every student.
STEP 6 – For your information
There are some nationalities that have several steps and procedures.
After Local confirmation, the files of those students are transferred to Bern, Switzerland.
This procedure is handled by the Central Migration Office in Switzerland (State Secretariat for Migration).
Please, contact Student Services or SSBM administration for more information.
STEP 7
If a student’s country of origin is not in the following list, the application will be processed by the canton in order of arrival.
STEP 8
Upon evaluation the visa will be:
- Visa is Accepted.
- Additional information will be requested from SSBM or the applicant.
- Visa is Denied.
Step 8a If additional information is requested, the applicant’s file will be pending until this information is received.
Step 8. b Upon receipt, the dossier will be re-evaluated.
- Visa is Accepted
- Visa is Denied.
STEP 9
OCPM will inform students about their decision on the file. If the visa is granted, a separate email will be sent to the student with the list of documents that he/she needs to fill and bring to Switzerland.
STEP 10
The Embassy will inform the student:
- If a visa is refused or cancelled, the Federal Office for Migration issues a decision, which is motivated. If the candidate wishes to see the full dossier, this is possible upon payment of a fee. Requests will be processed only after payment has been made in advance.
Most common reasons for refusal:
- Age
- Country of origin
- Finances
- Suspicion of intent to work rather than study
- Suspicion of intent to remain in Switzerland
Student Entry into Switzerland & Permit Procedure
STEP 11
The first entry visa is valid for 30 days. All students need to plan to arrive within that time frame.
STEP 12
An applicant has 14 days from the date of actual entry into Switzerland to submit their paperwork to the Office of cantonal de la population et des migration (OCPM) in order to start his process with a student permit.
The student should NOT leave the country until the permit has been received, since the student can only enter one time on that visa and will not be able to reenter with it if he/she leaves (unless it is a multiple-entry visa). In case of a real emergency, a special visa can be requested and granted in advance of departure to allow a student, for example, to return home for a death in the family.
STEP 13
Once a student permit has been granted, the student is permitted to remain in the country legally until the permit expires.
All living permits are limited in length of time, generally according to the end of the time that the school indicates the student has paid for. Students will be granted a Swiss B permit.
Students who are studying at SSBM and who are from the European Union may work part-time with a student permit. (no more than 15 hours per week). Students who are from a country which is not part of the European Union can complete only internships as part of their studies. For more information, please contact student services.
All students who found an internship and have to leave the country for more than 6 months have to inform OCPM or student services in their university that they are leaving the country and send them a form D (departure certificate).
STEP 14
Health insurance is mandatory in Switzerland. All students will need to get Swiss health insurance. The list of health company providers will be given to the student when he/she arrives in Geneva.
STEP 15
Permits will need to be renewed every year, until the end of the student’s studies. The Swiss Authorities can and do require the presentation of proof of continued enrollment and payment to the school where studies are being undertaken.
STEP 16
At the end of studies, SSBM has to interview every graduate and send a report to OCPM mentioning what are the student’s plans after graduation and what he/she is planning to do. (returning back home, moving to another country, etc.)
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Today we focused on how to apply for a Swiss student visa, what you’ll need, and the process involved.
Make sure that you’re an accepted student at SSBM Geneva before going through the visa process. Once you’re ready, check out the information above to help guide you through every step. It’s important to note that if you don’t need a visa, that’s great! You can receive valuable educational experience at our internationally recognized institution without having to bend over backwards to get the right paperwork. But if you do need a visa, don’t despair too much. Our SSBM team is happy to help!
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