# How to Get a Switzerland Study Visa from India (2026)

> Swiss student visas for Indians come in two forms: a free Schengen visa at VFS for short courses, and a national D visa filed at the Embassy for degrees. Steps and checklist.

_Published: 2026-10-18 · Reading time: 5 min · Words: 1203_

## TL;DR

Indian students on courses longer than 90 days apply for a national D visa personally at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi; the canton of study decides in approximately 8-12 weeks and the visa is free except in special cases such as post-doc applications (EUR 90). Courses of up to 90 days use a free Schengen student visa lodged at VFS, where the INR 3,100 service charge applies.

## Key takeaways

- Courses over 90 days: national D visa, filed in person at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.
- The canton of your place of study decides; allow approximately 8-12 weeks.
- Visa fee: free of charge for students; EUR 90 / INR 9,600 in special cases such as post-doc applications.
- An English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory in both student checklists.
- Courses up to 90 days use a free Schengen student visa at VFS, which still charges INR 3,100.

**Indian students staying in Switzerland for more than 90 days need a national D visa, submitted personally at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi with an online appointment. The cantonal migration office decides, which takes approximately 8-12 weeks, and the Embassy charges no visa fee except in special cases such as post-doc applications (EUR 90).**

## Article

Short courses and summer schools of up to 90 days follow a different, faster process at VFS Global. This page explains both, step by step, as published on the official sources, checked on 2026-10-15. For tourist and business visas, see our Switzerland visa guide for Indians.

### Which Swiss student visa do you need?
The length of your course decides everything: where you submit, who decides and how long it takes.

DetailCourse up to 90 daysCourse over 90 daysVisa typeSchengen short-stay visa for studiesNational D visaWhere to submitYour local VFS Visa Application CentreVisa Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, with an online appointmentVisa feeFree of chargeFree of charge (post-doc and other special cases: EUR 90 / INR 9,600)Other chargeVFS service charge INR 3,100None stated for Embassy submissionWho decidesEmbassy of SwitzerlandCantonal migration authority of your intended place of residenceTypical timeUsually 15 calendar days from receipt by the EmbassyApproximately 8-12 weeks
### Is the Swiss student visa really free for Indians?
Yes, according to the Embassy. Its student checklists, the short-stay checklist (05.08.2022) and the long-stay D checklist published in February 2026, both say the visa fee is free of charge. Post-doc applications and other special cases pay EUR 90, which the Embassy price list valid from 1 April 2026 sets at INR 9,600.

You may still see INR 9600 / EUR 90 on the VFS student tabs. Those tabs show the general fee table. The Embassy, where long-stay student applications are actually submitted, says free of charge, so follow the Embassy checklist. For short courses lodged at VFS, VFS levies its INR 3,100 service charge (inclusive of GST) in every category, and optional extras such as courier (INR 930) cost more. Where a national visa fee is charged, it is not refunded if the application is withdrawn or refused.

### What goes into the long-stay student visa file?
The Embassy's D visa checklist for students asks for 3 application forms (D), plus the original and 2 sets of copies of every document:

- Photos: 4 photos, white background, 35-40 mm wide.
- Personal cover letter: why you want to study in Switzerland, your future plans, how the studies will benefit you, and confirmation that you will leave Switzerland after the studies.
- CV: original plus 1 copy.
- Admission: acceptance or registration letter from the school or university, with proof of payment of the Swiss tuition fee if applicable.
- Academic records: Secondary, Senior Secondary and university certificates, as originals plus 2 sets of colour copies without 'true copy' or notary stamps.
- Language: an English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory; add German, French or Italian certificates if you have them.
- Finances: your sponsor's letter covering all costs, stating the origin of funds and your relationship, with the sponsor's ITR-V for the last 2 assessment years and last 3 months' bank statements carrying the bank stamp and signature.
The checklist asks the sponsor to confirm that all costs are covered. If your university quotes a cost of living, make sure the sponsor's ITR-V and statements visibly support it.

### How do you submit at the Embassy, and what happens next?
- Book an online appointment with the Visa Section of the Embassy in New Delhi. Long-stay student applications are not lodged at VFS.
- Attend in person with the complete file and copies.
- The Embassy forwards the application to the cantonal migration authority of your intended place of residence.
- The canton decides. The Embassy says this takes approximately 8-12 weeks in total, may vary considerably by canton, and it gives no updates during the procedure.
- After a positive decision, the Embassy issues the visa.
Because the Embassy cannot issue anything before the canton approves, start as soon as you have your admission letter and tuition receipt. Applying late is the one error the timeline cannot absorb.

### What about short courses of up to 90 days?
Summer schools, exchange terms and short programmes use a Schengen visa lodged at your local VFS centre. VFS runs 14 Swiss centres, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Chennai, Hyderabad, Kolkata, Pune and Ahmedabad. The Embassy checklist for students staying up to 90 days asks for:

- A personal cover letter on why you are studying in Switzerland, your plans and confirmation that you will leave after the course.
- An acceptance or registration letter, with proof of fee payment if applicable, and proof of accommodation for the entire Schengen stay.
- A mandatory English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS, and a CV.
- Travel insurance from the approved list of Indian insurers, minimum EUR 30,000, covering the entire stay.
- A flight reservation.
- Financial proof: for students, parents' last 3 months' bank statements, ITR-V for 2 assessment years, a letter of financial support and passport copies.
Short-stay applications must reach VFS at least 15 calendar days before travel, and you can apply at the earliest 6 months ahead. Personal appearance is needed for fingerprints unless they were collected in the last 59 months.

### Which mistakes delay Swiss student visas?
- Paying a fee you do not owe. Students pay no visa fee unless they fall in a special case.
- Stamped copies. The Embassy asks for colour copies without 'true copy' or notary stamps.
- No English certificate. Both student checklists list an English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS as mandatory.
- Thin sponsor evidence. A support letter must state the origin of funds and the relationship, backed by ITR-V and stamped statements.
- Missing the objection deadline. If refused, a written objection to SEM in German, French or Italian must be filed within 30 days, with an advance fee of CHF 200 (INR 23,400), refunded if SEM decides positively.
For short-course applications that need a flight reservation, or a cover letter for either route, Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram can help, with packages from INR 1,000 (flight reservation) to INR 3,000 (reservation, hotel, itinerary and cover letter). WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us.

### Frequently asked questions

#### Do I need IELTS for a Swiss student visa if my course is in German or French?
The Embassy's student checklists list an English language certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS as mandatory. They also ask for German, French or Italian certificates if you have them.

#### Can I submit my long-stay Swiss student visa at VFS?
No. Student visas for more than 90 days are submitted personally at the Visa Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi with an online appointment. Only short-stay student visas of up to 90 days go through the local VFS centre.

#### Can my parents sponsor my studies in Switzerland?
Yes. The Embassy asks for the sponsor's letter covering all costs, stating the origin of funds and the relationship, together with the sponsor's ITR-V for the last 2 assessment years and last 3 months' bank statements with bank stamp and signature.

#### What is the Schengen refusal rate at Swiss consulates in India?
European Commission data show a refusal rate of 13.6% for short-stay Schengen applications lodged at Swiss consulates in India in 2025 (30,630 visas not issued; 226,044 applications lodged). The figure covers all short-stay purposes and does not measure long-stay student D visas.

## Steps

1. **Confirm your course length** — Courses over 90 days need a national D visa at the Embassy in New Delhi; courses up to 90 days need a Schengen student visa at VFS.
2. **Collect admission and fee proof** — Get the acceptance or registration letter and proof of tuition payment from your Swiss school or university.
3. **Prepare academic, language and financial documents** — Assemble certificates with 2 sets of unstamped colour copies, a TOEFL or IELTS certificate, a CV, a personal cover letter and your sponsor's letter, ITR-V and stamped bank statements.
4. **Book the Embassy appointment** — Book an online appointment with the Visa Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi and complete 3 D application forms.
5. **Submit in person** — Attend with the originals, 2 sets of copies and 4 photos 35-40 mm wide on a white background.
6. **Wait for the cantonal decision** — The canton of your place of study decides in approximately 8-12 weeks; the Embassy issues the visa only after a positive decision.

## FAQ

### Do I need IELTS for a Swiss student visa if my course is in German or French?

The Embassy's student checklists list an English language certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS as mandatory. They also ask for German, French or Italian certificates if you have them.

### Can I submit my long-stay Swiss student visa at VFS?

No. Student visas for more than 90 days are submitted personally at the Visa Section of the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi with an online appointment. Only short-stay student visas of up to 90 days go through the local VFS centre.

### Can my parents sponsor my studies in Switzerland?

Yes. The Embassy asks for the sponsor's letter covering all costs, stating the origin of funds and the relationship, together with the sponsor's ITR-V for the last 2 assessment years and last 3 months' bank statements with bank stamp and signature.

### What is the Schengen refusal rate at Swiss consulates in India?

European Commission data show a refusal rate of 13.6% for short-stay Schengen applications lodged at Swiss consulates in India in 2025 (30,630 visas not issued; 226,044 applications lodged). The figure covers all short-stay purposes and does not measure long-stay student D visas.

## Sources

1. [Checklist for National D Visa: Student (more than 90 days)](https://www.schweiz-indien.eda.admin.ch/dam/en/eda-cms/Va9LJQCTTB2K/D-Checklist_Student_fee_90.00-En.pdf) — Embassy of Switzerland in India
2. [Which documents should I submit with a national visa application?](https://www.schweiz-indien.eda.admin.ch/en/documents-national-visa) — Embassy of Switzerland in India
3. [Checklist for Schengen Visa: Student, staying up to 90 days](https://assets.ctfassets.net/xxg4p8gt3sg6/2tXIbNj0H8nDROkeHrgM4s/a907304918b310a333cdad1eaec73ddf/Checklist-Student-up-to-90-days-EN-new.pdf) — Embassy of Switzerland in India
4. [Students For More Than 90 Days (overview, fees)](https://visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/che/visa-type#studentsformorethan90days) — VFS Global