# Moving to Switzerland from India: Visa Routes Explained > The three ways Indians can move to Switzerland long term, who starts each one, where you apply in India, what the D visa costs and how long cantonal approval takes. _Published: 2026-11-06 · Reading time: 6 min · Words: 1353_ ## TL;DR Indians can move to Switzerland through an employer-led work permit for highly qualified professionals, a national D student visa or family reunification. A cantonal authority decides each case first, which takes about 8-12 weeks, and the Embassy in New Delhi then issues the D visa. The fee is EUR 90 (INR 9,600), but student visas are free. ## Key takeaways - Three long-stay routes: an employer-led work permit (highly qualified only), a student D visa and family reunification. - The cantonal authority decides first; the Embassy issues the D visa only after approval, about 8-12 weeks in total. - D visa fee EUR 90 (INR 9,600) for work and family; student visas are free except special cases such as post-docs. - Students and family members apply in person at the Embassy in New Delhi; workers submit at VFS or the Embassy once authorised. - Marriage and birth certificates must be legalised by the State Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs. **According to Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration and its Embassy in India, Indians can move to Switzerland on three long-stay routes: an employer-led work permit for highly qualified professionals, a national D student visa, or family reunification. Each needs cantonal approval, which takes about 8-12 weeks; the D visa costs EUR 90 (INR 9,600) but is free for students.** ## Article The details below come from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi and VFS Global, as published on the official sources, checked on 15 October 2026. The Embassy in New Delhi processes visas for all of India; the Consulates General in Mumbai and Bengaluru offer no visa services. For short visits, see our Switzerland visa guide for Indians. ### Which Swiss long-stay route fits your move? RouteWho starts itWhere you submit in IndiaVisa feeTimeWork of more than 120 daysThe Swiss employer, with the cantonal authorityAfter approval: VFS or the Embassy, with a prior appointmentEUR 90 / INR 9,600 (child 6-12: EUR 45 / INR 4,800)About 8-12 weeksStudy of more than 90 daysYou, with your Swiss school or universityEmbassy Visa Section, New Delhi, online appointmentFree (special cases such as post-doc: EUR 90)About 8-12 weeksFamily reunificationYou and your family member in SwitzerlandEmbassy Visa Section, New Delhi, online appointmentEUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children 6-12; free for spouses of Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals and children under 6About 8-12 weeksIn every case the cantonal migration authority decides first, and the Embassy issues the national D visa only after a positive decision. The visa fee is paid on submission and is not refunded if the application is withdrawn or refused. The Embassy explains the documents for each route on its national visa documents page. ### Can you move to Switzerland for a job? Only if you are highly qualified. SEM's rules for non-EU/EFTA nationals, which include Indians, are: - You must be a manager, specialist or other skilled professional, which essentially means a university or higher-education degree plus several years of professional experience. - The employer must prove that no suitable person from Switzerland or an EU/EFTA state is available for the job. - Salary, social security contributions and terms of employment must match conditions customary for the region, profession and sector. - For stays of several years, professional and social adaptability, language skills and age are key factors. Since 20 January 2014 the procedure has been initiated by the employer with the competent cantonal authority. An initial request that you submit yourself, directly or through VFS, to the Embassy is inadmissible. Once the authorisation is delivered, you submit at VFS or at the Embassy with a prior appointment: a valid passport, 1 photo clipped to the authorisation letter, a copy of the authorisation letter and 1 copy of the passport bio-data and last page. No visa application form is required. Cabaret dancers, artists and musicians, and post-graduates, doctoral students, post-docs and academic guests apply personally at the Embassy. SEM's full criteria are on its page for non-EU/EFTA workers. Shorter assignments of up to 120 days in 12 months follow a separate cantonal procedure, filed in Switzerland (usually by the employer) or through the Swiss representation in India, and also take about 8-12 weeks. ### How does the student route work? Students apply personally at the Visa Section of the Embassy on Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, with an online appointment. The cantonal migration office for your place of study decides. The Embassy's 2026 checklist asks for: - 3 D application forms, the original documents and 2 sets of copies, and 4 photos (white background, 35-40 mm wide) - A personal cover letter on why you want to study in Switzerland, your future plans and how the studies will benefit you, confirming that you will leave after them - Your CV and the acceptance or registration letter from the school or university, with proof of tuition payment if applicable - Secondary, Senior Secondary and university certificates, original plus 2 colour copies without true-copy or notary stamps - An English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS, which is mandatory, plus German, French or Italian certificates if you have them - A 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 3 months' bank statements carrying the bank's stamp and signature The visa is free of charge, except special cases such as post-doc applications (EUR 90). The process takes approximately 8-12 weeks in total and can vary considerably by canton, and the Embassy gives no updates during the procedure, so apply as early as your admission allows. ### What does family reunification require? Spouses and children joining a family member in Switzerland apply personally at the Embassy in New Delhi with an online appointment. The 2026 Embassy checklist lists: - 3 D application forms, 4 photos, your passport with 2 copies, and previous passports - A personal cover letter and an invitation letter from the host in Switzerland (original and copy) - Copies of the host's residence or work permit and passport - The original marriage certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages, legalised by the State Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs; a marriage deed is not accepted - A Police Clearance Certificate (original and copy) - Children's original birth certificates, legalised by the State Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs The fee is EUR 90 (INR 9,600) for adults and EUR 45 (INR 4,800) for children aged 6-12; spouses of Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals and children under 6 pay nothing. The checklist gives 6-12 weeks for the cantonal decision. An optional verification of your documents by the Embassy takes 3-4 months, with an advance payment of CHF 1,000. Once the canton approves, you or a third person may hand the passport and authorisation to VFS without an appointment. After arrival, you must declare yourself at the Residents Registration Office of your place of residence within the first 14 days, and the residence permit is issued on that notification. ### What should you budget and check before you commit? - Visa fee: EUR 90, shown as INR 9,600 on the Embassy price list valid from 1 April 2026; the rupee figure moves with the exchange rate. - VFS service charge: INR 3,100 per applicant if you submit through VFS. - Cantonal charges: permit fees charged in Switzerland are not published by the Embassy or VFS, so ask your employer or the canton. - Old checklists: some 2020 checklists still linked from VFS show EUR 80; the Embassy's current checklists and price list give EUR 90. - Quotas: SEM's 2026 quota figures for third-country workers could not be verified for this article; your employer will know the current position. - Paperwork lead time: legalisation of marriage and birth certificates by the State Home Ministry and the Ministry of External Affairs takes time, so start before the canton decides. For any short visit before the move, a Schengen visa file needs a flight reservation and proof of accommodation. Yatra For Fun's India office in Gurugram prepares flight reservations, hotel bookings, itineraries and cover letters, from INR 1,000 for a flight reservation to INR 3,000 for the full set. WhatsApp +91 95230 91018 or contact us. ### Frequently asked questions #### Can I go to Switzerland on a Schengen visa and look for a job there? The Swiss work route does not start with a visa. SEM requires the employer to start the procedure with the cantonal authority and to prove that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate is available, and an initial work request submitted by you to the Embassy or VFS is inadmissible. #### Do I need to speak German, French or Italian to move to Switzerland? For the student D visa an English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory, and German, French or Italian certificates are added if available. For work stays of several years, SEM names language skills, along with adaptability and age, as key factors. #### Where are Swiss long-stay visas processed for Indians? All visa applications from India are processed by the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi. The Consulates General in Mumbai and Bengaluru offer no visa services. #### How does a short Swiss work assignment of up to 120 days work? The competent cantonal migration authority decides. The request is filed directly in Switzerland, usually by the employer or inviting company, or through the Swiss representation in India, and takes about 8-12 weeks either way. ## FAQ ### Can I go to Switzerland on a Schengen visa and look for a job there? The Swiss work route does not start with a visa. SEM requires the employer to start the procedure with the cantonal authority and to prove that no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate is available, and an initial work request submitted by you to the Embassy or VFS is inadmissible. ### Do I need to speak German, French or Italian to move to Switzerland? For the student D visa an English certificate such as TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory, and German, French or Italian certificates are added if available. For work stays of several years, SEM names language skills, along with adaptability and age, as key factors. ### Where are Swiss long-stay visas processed for Indians? All visa applications from India are processed by the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi. The Consulates General in Mumbai and Bengaluru offer no visa services. ### How does a short Swiss work assignment of up to 120 days work? The competent cantonal migration authority decides. The request is filed directly in Switzerland, usually by the employer or inviting company, or through the Swiss representation in India, and takes about 8-12 weeks either way. ## Sources 1. [Working in Switzerland: Non-EU/EFTA nationals](https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/arbeit/nicht-eu_efta-angehoerige.html) — State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) 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 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 4. [Checklist for National D Visa: Family Reunification (Feb 2026)](https://www.schweiz-indien.eda.admin.ch/dam/en/eda-cms/YcCIBC86U6bD/D-Checklist_FamilyReunion_fee_90.00-En.pdf) — Embassy of Switzerland in India