Pursuing higher education in Switzerland provides you with a golden opportunity of indulging yourself in groundbreaking research organizations plus a guaranteed top education program irrespective of your future goals and expectations. Being the safest country in Europe, Switzerland is one of the top 20 wealthiest countries in the world and home to numerous highly ranked universities across the globe. The next step after getting admitted into the University of Switzerland is to apply for your visa if you need one (only for international participants). Accordingly, you might be worried and filled with a lot of questions about the Switzerland Student visa for an MBA, but it is a very simple and short process for the convenience of global participants.
Follow the steps given below and reach your destination along with the Switzerland Student visa for MBA.
STEP 1: Apply to a Swiss University and get your acceptance letter.
The first step towards starting your visa process is to decide the university you want to pursue higher education, without waste the process can never start. Only after you get an acceptance letter from the Swiss University will the process of your Switzerland Student visa for an MBA begin.
We have listed below the suggestions of some highly-ranked universities in Switzerland:
- University of St.Gallen (HSG)
- Università Della Svizzera Italiana
- Geneva Business School
- Sustainability Management School (SUMAS)
- Robert Kennedy College
- University of Neuchâtel
STEP 2: Find out if a visa is required to study in Switzerland
After getting the acceptance letter from A University the next step is to check whether you fall under the criteria for getting a Switzerland Student visa for an MBA or not.
EU Students: Participants coming from the European Union do not require a visa if they plan to take a short course which does not extend the limit of 90 days. In case they decide to stay longer than 90 days then they are supposed to contact the Competent Cantonal Authority to issue a residence permit within the duration of 14 days of arrival in Switzerland.
Students from EFTA countries: The same restrictions are followed with participants coming from the EFTA countries as the EU students. They do not need a visa for staying in Switzerland below the limit of 3 months, crossing which they would need a residence permit.
Students from non-EU/EFTA countries: The students coming from non-EU/EFTA countries compulsorily need a Switzerland Student visa for MBA. They can either apply for a visa from a Swiss Embassy/consulate in the home country or directly apply from Switzerland. Plus the need to issue a residence permit after arriving in Switzerland.
There are basically two types of visas available for non-EU/EFTA students:
- Short-Term or Schengen Visa: the short-term visa is issued for a duration of 90 days and is meant for participants who wish to take short courses on language programs. Participants can fill up the online application for a short-term visa.
- Long-term or National Visa: long-term national visas are issued for more than 90 days and are meant for participants who wish to pursue a full-time degree from Switzerland. For a long-term visa, you cannot submit an online application; it can only be issued in person or from a local Swiss Embassy or consulate.
The validity of a residence permit may either be extended up to the complete session of your higher education or up to one year only. In case your permit is valid only for up to a year then you are allowed to renew it until the further session of your studies ends. It is recommended that you apply for the renewal of your visa at least two weeks prior to its expiry date.
STEP 3: When and Where to apply for a Switzerland Student visa for MBA?
For the participants interested in pursuing a long-term degree, it is best if they try for an appointment with their local Swiss Embassy or consulate as soon as they receive the acceptance letter from a Swiss University. You are also recommended to schedule an interview for a Switzerland Student visa for MBA at least 6 months before shifting to Switzerland and this should not extend 10 weeks prior to your departure for the same.
It is compulsory for a participant to submit the documents in French, English, or German, failing which they are supposed to attach a translated certificate of all the essential documents in the languages mentioned above.
The time of processing for a short-term visa is 10-15 days and that for a long-term visa is 8-10 weeks.
STEP 4: Language requirements for studying in Switzerland
To date, there have been no language requirements issued for a Switzerland Student visa for MBA. Not to mention the universities will be asking you to submit reports of your language proficiency test which would be enough to demonstrate your hold in the required language by the officers of the Swiss Embassy.
STEP 5: Documents Required for Switzerland Student Visa for MBA
- Three application forms for a long-term visa to be signed in completed
- Recent Passport size photographs – 4
- Official passport
- Letter of acceptance issued by the University of Switzerland
- Evidence of current financial conditions
- CV
- Letter of Motivation, etc.
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