Study in Switzerland from Nepal and India

Switzerland student visa at a glance

Visa fee

NPR 15,291

EUR 90

Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Money to show a year

No fixed amount

Work in term

15 hrs/wk

Term-time work

Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Stay after study

6 months

Job search after graduation

Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Short answer: To study in Switzerland you apply for the National (D) visa and cantonal residence permit for education (Art. 27 AIG). The main visa fee is EUR 90 (about NPR 15,291). No fixed funds amount is published; you show enough to cover your study and living costs. You can work up to 15 hours a week during term. Eligible bachelor's and master's graduates can get a post-study work stay of up to 6 months (rules and longer stays for some degrees below).

How much does it cost to study in Switzerland?

Two different kinds of money: fees you pay (gone once paid) and funds you show as evidence (they stay in your account). Never add them together.

What do I need for the Switzerland student visa?

Conditions

The school confirms you can start, suitable accommodation is available, you have the necessary funds and you meet the personal and educational requirements. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Proof of funds

Funds can be shown by a Swiss resident's guarantee with proof of income, a confirmation from a bank licensed in Switzerland, or a binding scholarship or loan; no single federal amount is set. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Language

The school must confirm your language and educational prerequisites; authorities may require a language test in justified cases. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Maximum duration

Education stays are generally approved for up to eight years. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Decision

The embassy forwards the application to the cantonal migration authority and can issue the visa only after approval; total processing about 8–12 weeks. Source: schweiz-indien.eda.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I work while studying in Switzerland?

Term-time work

Students at a university or university of applied sciences can be authorised to work up to 15 hours a week outside the holidays, no earlier than six months after starting. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Conditions

The school must confirm the job will not delay your degree, the employer must apply, and Swiss pay and working conditions apply. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Compulsory internships

Work in a compulsory internship can be authorised if it is no more than half of the total study period. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Can I stay and work after graduating?

Job search after graduation

Graduates of Swiss higher education are admitted for six months after finishing to find a job matching their training. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Work permit exception

They can be admitted without the Swiss/EU priority rule if the job is of high scientific or economic interest. Source: fedlex.data.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

What is different for Nepali and Indian students?

What are the top universities in Switzerland?

Compare universities across countries

What do international students study in Switzerland?

The most-studied fields, from official enrolment statistics. No official breakdown for Nepali or Indian students is published, so these figures cover international students.

What has changed recently?

1. 15 Jul 2025

   ETH Zurich charges foreign students a threefold tuition fee (CHF 2,190 per semester) from autumn semester 2025; students already enrolled keep the old fee. Source: ethz.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

2. 1 Apr 2026

   Embassy in Nepal price list updated: visa fee EUR 90 = NPR 15,500. Source: schweiz-nepal.eda.admin.ch (opens the official website in a new tab)

Check these yourself

We could not confirm these on an official page when we last checked, so we do not state them as facts.

• Proof-of-funds amount — each canton sets it; ask the migration office of the canton where you will study.
• Whether the Embassy in Kathmandu waives the visa fee for students as New Delhi does.
• Whether you pay the €90 visa fee in New Delhi — the student checklist says student visas are free, but the page lists €90; confirm when you book.
• Tuition at universities other than ETH Zurich.

Official sources for Switzerland

Government and official pages we use for this guide, checked 22 Oct 2026.

1. 1SEM – residence permits for non-EU/EFTA nationalsimmigration_authority · Federal migration authority
2. 2AIG SR 142.20 (version 12 Jun 2026)law · Art. 27 education; Art. 21(3) 6-month job search
3. 3VZAE SR 142.201 (version 1 Oct 2026)law · Art. 23 funds, Art. 24 language, Art. 38 15 h work
4. 4GebV-AIG SR 142.209 (version 11 Jun 2024)fee · Visa EUR 90; student exemption; cantonal max fees
5. 5Embassy of Switzerland India – national visa documentsembassy_india · Student D checklist, 8–12 weeks
6. 6Embassy of Switzerland India – D checklist student (PDF)student_visa · Documents, IELTS/TOEFL, fee free for students
7. 7Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal – where to apply (national visa)embassy_nepal · Appointments by e-mail
8. 8Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal – national visa documentsembassy_nepal · Student checklist, 8–12 weeks
9. 9Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal – student D visa checklist (PDF)student_visa · Nepal documents, legalisation, interview
10. 10Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal – price list (PDF)fee · Visa EUR 90 = NPR 15,500 from 1 Apr 2026
11. 11ETH Zurich – tuition feestuition · CHF 2,190/semester foreign students from autumn 2025
12. 12ETH Zurich – study and living costs (PDF)living · CHF 22,100/yr living (Zurich)
13. 13Study in Switzerland+ – visas & permitsstudy_portal · Overview; 15 h work