Hello,
I was reading some information both on here and on the Swiss embassy website regarding the visa procedures but I'm not sure about one thing regarding the application...do all documents have to be certified copies? For example I'm applying for a student visa, so do I need to have a certified copy of my university diploma or will a regular photocopy do?

Also, if all the documents are in English, I don't need to translate them do I? I'm just assuming English will be fine...

All documents should be certified and translated for the immigration authorities in Switzerland.

Hey I applied for a student visa a couple months ago. I had no problems getting it. This was for ETH Zurich and the closest Swiss embassy for me was in D.C. This is how I did it for each required item:

-Visa application forms: 3x, English
-Photos: 7x, used photo printer paper from personal printer
-Passport copies: 2x, high-quality color copies from personal printer
-Confirmation from school: 2x regular copies from personal printer
-Confirmation of payment of tuition: Went to my university, asked for my student balance, 2x copies from personal printer
-Statement of income/assets/bank: Showed them my father's W2 (2x), my job employment (2x), went to bank and asked for a letter for my account balance (these letters are typical for visa, immigrants forms)
-Diplomas: Had to go to a Kinkos to get colored copies of these in extra large paper (ETH Zurich has original diplomas)
-letter to leave CH: In English, 2x
-Resume: In English, 2x
-Future plans: In German (preferred), 2x

So in essence, mostly in English and I did get official forms from all the institutions and just made copies of those,

any questions,

message me

Please PM your email. I've reached my limit of PM'ing for the day.

I've also reached my limit...
oshekari@gmail.com