Does anybody know how long it takes to process an application for a Student permit? FYI, I have met all the requirement need:
- I have the financial statement (which can cover all expenses during my studies),
- I have secured an accommodation (with a tenancy agreement)
- Other documents: offer letter from the univ, my passport & photograph.

Hope there is someone who has gone through the process and can let me know.

Thanks & Regards

It depends on the Canton...I had my first attempt at a student visa with Zurich and it took about 2 months. But I hear some Cantons take only a few weeks.

But you seem to have all the required documents on the surface.

i got info from EFPL (Lausanne) that Malaysia passport holder does not need to apply for a student visa. they can apply for a student permit upon arrival within 8 days.

Thanks joeyying. That's the exact answer I've been waiting for all this while. I've been asking around how long the student permit can be processed but no one seems to give the answer even the university I'm going into. Thanks so much.

In fact in my thread I'm asking about student permit as I know that Malaysian do not require visa to enter Switzerland.

You do realise that's it's not 8 days to process the visa? You have 8 days from arrival to register and apply for the student visa - it will then take a few weeks.

ops, my mistake! sorry novemberain!

well, it (time to process student permit) can be a wide range, fr 3 weeks to 4 months! which commune you are staying?

to swissbob,
i said, 'apply for a student permit upon arrival within 8 days', not getting the permit within 8 days....

I know you did - but novemberain appeared to think the question was answered which lead me to believe he had jumped on the 8 days without fully understanding the context .

ok ok....understood....well even if it takes a year or more, I have no choice though..anyway thanks guys

Are you Malaysian? Where are you going to study?

I'm from KL and started my Masters at ETH last October. Was extremely confused about what to do as noone really knew! Basically we don't need a student visa, as you already know. They recommend getting an "assurance for a residence permit", but that is actually quite unnecessary (I tried but it took too long and got here before that was issued!). Just go to your local Kreisburo when you arrive, give them all the paperwork needed, and you'll probably get your permit between a month to 3 months!

In my case, it took longer, because half of my documents (Bank statement, CV, letter stating I will return to Malaysia and reason for studying here) were posted to the Migration office (for that assurance letter). Meanwhile the Kreisburo waited and only asked me for the documents about 4 months later. The Migration office was meant to have passed them on to the Kreisburo but they didn't. The moment they realised that slip up, things got into place and I got my B permit (student) in 2 weeks.

Right now I'm in a mess again, since I'm going to do an internship in the next semester and have to 1. get a work permit (hopefully done by employer) and 2. renew my residence permit the same time i start my job (which is in a different canton). I'm hoping I still qualify as a student and that they don't consider the internship as working more than 15 hours/week. I don't know. Will have to post separately in the forums for advice!

Hope to meet you here in Switzerland soon

ctan,

Thanks for the info. That's helpful.

Hello everyone,
student visa question:-
I am malaysian and have just paid up my school fees to study german in zurich. I've even secured accommodation in zurich. Now my only worry now is how long will my local Krisburo provide me with a domicile confirmation so that i may open a local zurich bank account showing the ammount required by immigration that i am capable of supporting myself while in zurich.......i know i'm allowed to stay as a tourist for up to 90 days within a 6 month period, but am worried that their processing time ( entire student visa procedure) may take longer than that......immigration is not able to confirm anything at the moment. They only asked me to send copies of my documents for an "assurance for resident permit" but to date i havent had any replies back on this assurance.....i am also wondering what type of proof would the local krisburo require for me to proove that i have secured the local zurich address?
If someone out there is able to help with my question, please know that i would be very much grateful....it is stressful and worrying and i would love for these feelings to be put to rest...
Please help...