Hi everyone!

I apologize if there is another Student Visa thread, but I couldn't find one in the recent pages.

I have a couple questions about the student visa process, about Swiss student visas, and working as a student.


I just received an acceptance letter from the University of Bern for the Masters in Political and Economic Philosophy program. The program begins in September. My fiance currently attends the University of St. Gallen and will be done with his program in December. Our plan is to live in Zurich, where he would work and I would commute the hour or so to Bern to go to school.

I have begun to fill out the student visa form, but will it complicate things if I live in a different Canton than I will be going to school in?

Do student visas allow students to work while going to school? If not, will I have to apply for a work permit if I want to work at a part-time job while going to school?

Also, my fiance has dual-citizenship, both Swiss and American. Will this complicate the visa process even more when we get married next summer? How will the visa process change once we marry?

Thanks everyone!

-Samantha

I'm no expert and just going from what I've read from the countless other threads and some personal experience.

I have no idea regarding going to uni and living in different cantons I'm afraid.

As a full time student you have the right to work around 15hrs per week (same as swiss students though many work more). You will have a student B permit I believe.

Once you get married I believe you can apply for a dependant B visa which allows you to stay with your future husband though more than that I don't know I'm afraid.

I'm sure someone more knowledgeable will come along and correct and fill in the gaps for you.

All the best!

I spoke to a representative from the Chicago consulate/embassy. She said that in order for me to work legally in Switzerland, I will need to apply for a work permit even if I have a student visa.

She said that I will have to have an employer fill out a work permit. What if I just want to babysit or house/dog-sit? How do I even go about finding an employer to fill out a work permit in the first place?

I'll talk to my fiance about moving up the wedding date for the dependent B, but I'd really rather not get married earlier just because it makes the visa process.

couldnt find any answer for my question...hope u guys could help

how much money (in chf) is required to proof to them in order to get the visa? As I running through some information, some stated we required to have chf1750/mth during my stay...do i need to show whole year (12mths) fund or 2 years fund as im taking master course

UK student visa required 9mth fund, is it the same as switzerland?

Imolkat,

the more you have the better...financially you need to show you are secured. All the best

Newbi here and I cant find if anyone posted anything similar yet.

Course at EPFL will start mid of Sep and I have already made my student visa application now since I got all the papers requested + it takes a long time to process the student visa. Today the embassy in South Africa confirmed having received my application but cannot process it - they can do it only 3 months before the course start.

I called the Service de la Population in Lausanne today and they said it is OK to start the visa process now since I had planned to go to Germany before moving to Switzerland.

Anyone had any similar case where the embassy wanted to wait 3 months before the course start to process the visa ?

If I remember correctly, you should have CHF21'000 in your bank account for the proof, for only when you apply for the visa.

I was applying my student residence permit for University of Lausanne (so, it is Vaud) in 2005, but it may differs from Cantons! Good luck!

Hey Joe,

Applied for the visa in Vaud for EPFL and there is no mention of minimum amount you should have now. I just got the info from South Africa that they will process my visa now - fingers crossed all goes well.

Cheers,

maybe they have changed the rule, I don't know. But isn't it uncommon that not asking for a financial proof for a long-term visa?

good luck for your visa!!

When i applied for a student visa, i was asked to show that my fees had been payed and that i have "sufficient" amount of money in my account. I then found out that you have to have somewhere near 20.000 CHF to qualify. You can also supply a sponsorship letter from a company or an individual...that works just as fine...

20,000-21,000 CHF for which period? 6 months or 1 year or 2 years.

And what's the lowest and highest period of stay for someone with a Student Visa?

i.e. most countries provide student visa for 6 months minimum and 1-2 years maximum.