Super-Intensive German Course Plus in Basel

In order to attend a German course in Switzerland, a visa is required in some cases. 

Switzerland is part of the Schengen area. If you live in a Schengen member country, then you do not need a visa for Switzerland. For longer stays than 90 days, a residence permit must be applied for. Language learners outside the Schengen area must apply for a Schengen visa.

A detailed list of Schengen member states can be found here:

https://www.egris.admin.ch/sem/de/home/themen/einreise/einreise-ch-schengen.html

Apply for visa from 90 days

What are the requirements to apply for a visa?

For longer-term stays of 90 days or more, a type D visa is required. You will receive this only after approval by the cantonal migration office.

• You will need a completed application for a Schengen visa.
• To enter Switzerland, you will of course need a passport. This must be valid for at least three months after the planned departure from the Schengen area.
• The passport must have two blank pages.
• Before entering Switzerland, you must take out health insurance. This must cover the entire stay in the Schengen area. The minimum amount of coverage must be 30,000 Swiss francs. As proof, enclose a copy of the insurance policy with the application.
• The Swiss authorities must ensure that you can support yourself. Therefore, you must have proven assets of 30,000 francs or euros. You can show this proof by means of bank statements or bank documents. If you do not have these assets yourself, you must present a declaration of commitment from another person. 
• If you are attending a language school or university, you will need an original and a copy of your enrollment certificate. You can obtain this from the school or university.
• The processing time of a short-term visa is usually only a few working days. If you apply for a longer-term visa, the processing time can take several months. Therefore, we recommend that you apply for the visa at least three months in advance so that you can start your course on time.

You can find more information here:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/de/home/einreise-aufenthalt-schweiz/visabestimmungen-visumantragsformular.html

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/canada/de/home/visa/aufenthalt/studieren.html

Short-term stay in Switzerland à 90 days

For a language stay that does not exceed 90 days, you do not need a visa if you come from the following countries:

EU member states

Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)

States in the Schengen area

Israel

USA

Canada

New Zealand

Australia

Singapore

If your country is not represented, you need a category C visa to stay in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. This visa does not only include the attendance of a German course, but you can stay in Switzerland normally as a tourist. If you wish to work during this time, you must apply for a work permit.