Thank you in advance for your time and help!!

My husband and I have two kids. We are US citizens. He found a masters program in Switzerland that looks like a perfect fit for him. The problem is that everything we've read says that in order to get a student visa, he has to commit to traveling alone. We are confused...does that mean the kids and I couldn't come along for the duration of his study (2 years)? We haven't found any information regarding married student visas. I wouldn't work or study, I would take care of our kids full time there while he went to school.

I would REALLY appreciate ANY HELP you have to offer!! I've been very impressed with the generosity of so many here willing to answer questions!

Thanks again!!

Doesn't look like I've had any bites on my original question.

Is it possible for the kids and I to apply for dependent visas? Or, I'm not sure what the right phrase even is. What would be the best course to follow as he will be a full time student and the kids and I live in Switzerland with him? I've looked online all day and can't seem to find a clear answer. Even if someone could point me to where to start I would be more than grateful!

Thank you again

I don't know anything about visas, but I'm curious: which masters degree program is it?

Unless the student is an EU national, family regroupment for students is not allowed.

Thank you both VERY MUCH for your time!! We REALLY appreciate it!

He'd like to attend the Masters program at the University of Lausanne in Actuarial Studies.

So, what are our other options? Are there any exceptions or special conditions, such as a two year stay? That seems very strict not to let families be together for two years. It seems strange that he wouldn't be able to bring his family with him. Hmmm....really?! Any other feedback you have would be helpful.

Is there another type of visa that my husband and I could attain which would still allow him to study at the university?

In our research we found that the US allows an F1 student visa and an F2 student dependent for spouse and children. Switzerland doesn't have the equivalent?

Thanks again.

Not really, unless he were on a post-doc or similar type course.

Not really. In principle student family regroupment applications are not allowed. You could try to demonstrate that you have sufficient financial means (have you actually gone through a budget exercise?) to support yourself and apply, but 99.5% of the applications are rejected.

I think the best chance for you to come over as a family is for one of you to attempt to find work over here. As Americans, it is harder for us to get permits than for many EU nationals. But, if a company sponsors your permit, you have a very good chance of getting a permit (much better than trying to work in an EU nation for instance). Now, your husband needs to be in school, so that might mean you have to attempt to look for work--not sure if that is what you want or is possible for you with your family--just an idea though.
My wife and I moved over here from the states because she was offered a job and her employer took care of the work permit B process (these are yearly permits which are renewed on an annual basis). I was then able to apply and was granted a one year spousal/work permit B, which is also renewable on an annual basis. I've been reading a fair amount of threads on this topic, and it seems that spouses of student visa holders have had some difficulty with getting permission to move here. I hope this helps a little bit. Good luck with the process if you go forward!

Is your husband already an Actuary and he just wants another qualification?
If he is, he could try and find a job here and pursue his studies part time, if the course or a similar one, is offered on this basis. That might be an option.

In order to obtain a student visa you need to demonstrate financial means, and supporting a family of 4 in Lausanne...well that is going to require a lot of money over 2 years.

Do you have a teaching qualification? If so, you could try and find a job at an international school, for example. Your family would be permitted to join you. Then your husband could study here as well, if I am not mistaken.

In my work as a relocation consultant, I have come across many situations where families were separated, temporarily, because of work. For varying reasons, a spouse or children stayed in the home country while a spouse went abroad. Sometimes this was the only solution. I know this might not be what you want to hear but it might be the only solution to enable your husband to further his studies. You and the kids could visit and of course your husband could make trips home. The cost of supporting one person in Lausanne and a family back home will be far less than the costs of supporting 4 persons in Lausanne.

Good luck with your plans!

Hi,
Ok. I read all the replies that you got for your query.
You and your kids can apply for a dependent visa.Lot of my Indian friends have done the same to get their family here

But, there are some issues you need to take care of:
Firstly: You will have to show enough of financial proof. As in, your husband can support both himself and his family,despite being a student.
Secondly: It will be an asset if you Hubby gets some kind of stipend during his studies.The problem is most of the master students here are not paid(atleast in the first year)

The best people to help you are the Swiss embassy officials.Just call them and tell them your situation and they will give you the best way out.

Hope this was helpful.And hope to see you here sometime

Goodluck.

You forgot to mention what courses your indian friends are enrolled in as you'll find prescriptions vary so you cannot give an all-encompassing answer.

ha ha,
Dnt know why are you so sarcastic.Anyways, Mr.Shorrick ,my Indian and Polish friends are enrolled for a masters course too.
Besides, being an MD , I think I atleast know that " prescriptions vary "

Is it a masters as in MBA-type master or masters as in after bachelors?

Wow! I really appreciate all the time and help you have all offered! Seriously, thank you!!!

Its an after-bachelors masters program.

He is not an actuary yet, but is studying to become one. The Masters program he is looking into is exciting because it helps him further his study while still receiving an advanced degree.

Mrs. Doolittle-its funny you should ask if I'm a teacher, because I actually am. I taught elementary school for two years before we started a family. I hadn't thought to look into working in Switzerland. Interesting option.

And thanks for the suggestions on looking carefully at the budgeting. We have looked through the costs associated with the university and they seem to be similar to the university costs here in the states. There are probably some costs though that we haven't looked especially close at yet. We'll run the numbers again.

So, if I'm understanding correctly, if I were to work there, the whole family could come and my husband could study on a dependent visa?

I'll definitely look into the dependent visa suggestion for the kids and I too.

Any more feedback and suggestions would be wonderful. I really want to thank ALL of you! This was MORE helpful than I can say!! Its amazing how difficult finding any information on this question has been. Thanks to you all, we have a much better start!!

We are in the same situation as you, and right now it looks as if things will be ok for us. (We're moving in a month, so we'll see if all goes well.)

I'm studying for my MBA at the University of St. Gallen.
I have been issued a "Ermächtigung zur Visumerteilung für die Schweizer Vertretung" that will cover me, but for my wife it took a little more work.

We contacted the Visa office at the Embassy in San Francisco. They gave us a Visa application form, and told us what was needed.

"Yes, your wife may apply at this Consulate (in person or by mail).

Please submit the following documentation for your wife:

-3x visa application form (attached), with original signatures

-3x original standard U.S. size passport pictures

-3x copies of your wife's passport (the picture page)

-fee of $58.50 (cash or money order) - subject to change at any time

-3x invitation letter from yourself (explaining the situation)

-3x copies of your passport (the picture page)

-3x copy of the letter of admission from the University of St. Gallen

-3x bank statements"

Note, we had to show that we had 100CHF/day * 365 days to support my wife, unfortunately I'm not that loaded, so we had to turn to my dad who wrote a letter guaranteeing us, and documenting that through his 401k and home equity line of credit he had access to enough cash to meet the requirement.


http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...nf/visusa.html

We followed that procedure, and the authorities in St. Gallen said that we need to send in a marriage certificate and an apartment contract. (We don't have a contract yet.) However they said that the easiest thing for us to do right now is for my wife to enter as a tourist, and after we get here to finish the documentation and get our permit.

I have attached 2 pdf's I was given, one was the Family reunification application (For the canton of St. Gallen) and the other is information for Non-EU nationals wanting to come as a family.

I'd suggest contacting the Visa office at the Embassy (If you're from Oregon I think yours is the San Francisco one as well.)

But I hope this helps.
-ABF

Oh my word?!! ABF THANK YOU SOOOO MUCH!!!! THANK YOU!!! That was SOOO NICE of you to offer all that help!! I really can't thank you enough!!

We REALLY appreciate the time you took to share all that information!! You even took the time to attach all the files!

Everyone on this forum is SOOOO NICE!!!!

Do you think we would need the 100/day per person for each of the kids as well? We could probably pull the 100/day requirement for my husband and I, but if its required for the kids as well, that makes it more difficult, but not impossible. I didn't even think about the idea of having a family member back us up finacially. What a great suggestion!! I'll definitely contact the San Francisco visa office.

ABF--Good luck with your MBA! That is soo exciting!! Keep us all posted as things unfold!! I hope everything goes perfectly for you both.

Ok, so here's an update for us.
We got our visa's from the Consolate General in San Fransisco.
We registered in St. Gallen, and had our B-permits within a week.

- ABF