Study in Switzerland

About Switzerland

Switzerland is a wealthy, multilingual country (German, French and Italian) at the heart of Europe. It hosts the UN, WHO and Red Cross offices, global banks and pharma companies, and it is a world leader in hospitality education. The main intake is September, with some February starts. The currency is the Swiss franc (CHF).

Why study in Switzerland

• ETH Zurich and EPFL are among the world's top technical universities
• The world's best-known hotel and hospitality management schools
• Low tuition at public universities (about CHF 1,500–CHF 4,000 a year)
• Some of the highest graduate salaries in the world
• Very safe, with an excellent quality of life

Popular fields of study

Hospitality and hotel management (EHL, Les Roches, Glion), banking and finance, engineering and robotics, computer science, pharma and life sciences, and international relations. Top universities include ETH Zurich, EPFL, University of Zurich, University of Geneva and University of St. Gallen.

Student visa, step by step

Student visa: National D visa + residence permit.

1. Get admission from a Swiss university or school.
2. Pay the tuition or deposit your school asks for.
3. Show about CHF 21,000 a year (varies by canton) in bank statements or a sponsor guarantee.
4. Write a motivation letter and sign a commitment to leave after your studies.
5. Apply for the National D visa through VFS / the Swiss Embassy in India and give biometrics.
6. Wait 6–12 weeks. The canton's migration office makes the decision.

After you get your visa

• Register with your commune within 14 days and get your residence permit (B or L).
• Buy Swiss health insurance within 3 months, unless your school's cover is accepted.
• No work in the first 6 months. After that, up to 15 hours a week in term and full-time in holidays.

Work and staying on

Working while you study

No work in the first 6 months. After that, up to 15 hours a week in term and full-time in holidays.

After you graduate

Up to 6 months to find a job You can extend your permit by up to 6 months after graduation to look for a job related to your degree. It can't be extended further.

Settling long term

Work permit (B): your employer applies. Non-EU quotas apply, and employers must show they couldn't find a Swiss or EU candidate. Graduates in shortage fields have an advantage. Permanent residence (C permit): usually after 10 years of residence.

Rules change. Please confirm the latest position with your guide.

Visa expenses

Average salary

Graduates typically start at about CHF 80,000–CHF 100,000 a year (approximate). Finance and tech pay more. Switzerland has no national minimum wage.

Good to know

• Living costs are among the highest in Europe, especially in Zurich and Geneva.
• Knowing the local language (German or French) greatly helps your job search.