Student Visa (German Courses) for Switzerland
In certain cases you may need a visa for your language stay in Zurich or Winterthur. Switzerland belongs to the so-called Schengen area and if your country of origin is within the Schengen area, you do not need a visa for Switzerland. However, if you intend to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you will need to apply for a residence permit. For language students outside the Schengen area, a Schengen visa is required.
Short-term language stays in Switzerland
If your German course in Switzerland does not last longer than 90 days, you do not need a visa if you come from the following countries:
- Member states of the EU
- Member States of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA)
- States in the Schengen area
- Israel
- USA
- Canada
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Singapore
If your country of origin is not on this list, you will need a category C visa. This allows you to stay in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. In addition to language stays, this visa also includes tourist activities. If you want to work in Switzerland during your stay, you will also need a work permit.
Longer language stays of 90 days or more
If you are planning a longer language stay, a category D visa is required. You will receive this only after approval by the cantonal migration office.
You will need the following documents:
- First of all, you need a completed application form for a Schengen visa.
- Your passport must be valid for three months beyond your planned departure from the Schengen area and have two blank pages.
- Your health insurance must cover your entire stay in the Schengen area. Proof must be provided in the form of a copy of your insurance policy. The minimum sum insured is CHF 30,000.
- You will need proof that you have assets of CHF 30,000 or euros. This ensures that you can finance your own living expenses. If you are unable to raise this sum yourself, you must submit a declaration of commitment from a third party.
- If you have further proof of the financing of your stay (e.g. sponsoring), please submit it as well.
- Finally, you will need the matriculation of the school or university (original and copy).
Submit your application in good time
The processing time for a short-term visa is usually only a few working days. For a longer-term visa, however, you should expect a processing time of several months. Therefore, you must plan carefully and include these deadlines. Fill out the application form as correctly and completely as possible. You must apply for a Schengen visa at least three months before your planned entry.
Professional and affordable French courses in Zurich and Winterthur
German course with accommodation in Zurich and Winterthur
The Sprachen Akademie will be happy to organise accommodation for you for the duration of your stay in Zurich or Winterthur. You can choose between different arrangements.
Host family in Zurich, Winterthur or surroundings
If you are attending an intensive German course in Zurich or Winterthur, then a host family is the ideal solution for you. In the morning you will have three hours of tuition and then return to your host family. In this way you are not alone, but spend time in a community. Of course, the family members are native speakers, so you will always be speaking German during your stay and will immerse yourself in the German language and culture. You will also get to know the Swiss way of life. If you are interested in accommodation with a host family, please contact us and we will find you a suitable family.
Our Prices
Intensive course with 20 lessons per week: Fr. 640.- per month
Accommodation at a host family: depending on various factors, usually Fr. 400.- to Fr. 600.- per month.
Accommodation in a student residence or a shared flat
The community aspect is not as pronounced in a student residence or a shared flat as in a host family. If you prefer to study alone in your room, this arrangement is ideal for you. Accommodation is comfortable and reasonably priced.
Find accommodation yourself
If you wish, we will be happy to search for a suitable hotel or guest house for you. However, if you would like to compare prices, you should do your own research. You will quickly find what you are looking for on the Internet.
Recommended Hotels in Zurich und Winterthur
Although a hotel is more expensive for a longer stay, you will of course enjoy some advantages. Not only do you get a fine breakfast, but your room is usually already made when you return from the course. So you can fully concentrate on learning German. The following hotels are particularly inexpensive and are therefore well suited for a language stay in Zurich or Winterthur:
Apartments Swiss Star Badenerstrasse
Badenerstrasse 362,
8004 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 43 255 57 57
Fax: +41 43 255 57 58
E-Mail: info@swiss-star.com
Anwand Lodges Hotel
Anwandstrasse 10
8004 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 43 255 57 57
Löwen
Baumackerstrasse 47
8050 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 43 255 57 57
http://hotel-lowen.hotels-zurich.org/de/#photo
Hotel Olympia
Badenerstrasse 324
8004 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: 41 (0)44 491 77 66
Fax: +41 (0)44 492 65 36
E-Mail: info@hotelolympia.ch
Casa Heinrich
Heinrichstrasse 68,
8005 Zürich, Schweiz
Youth hostels and hostels
Youth hostels and hostels are very similar and in both you can stay very cheaply. The rooms are often multi-bed rooms, but sometimes there are simple single rooms. Hostels are particularly suitable for backpackers, but of course language students are also welcome. We can recommend the following hostels in Zurich or Winterthur:
Bed and Breakfast «Hotel Zollikon
Alte Landstrasse 85
8702 Zollikon, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 44 392 08 80
E-Mail: info@hotel-zollikon.ch
Bed und Breakfast Villa Feldpausch
Rehalpstrasse 5,
8008 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 79 203 28 30
http://www.villa-feldpausch.ch/
Pension Lydiaheim
Leonhardstrasse 13
8001 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 44 252 41 27
Hotel Martahaus
Zähringerstrasse 36
8001 Zürich, Schweiz
Telefon: +41 44 251 45 50
http://www.hotelmarta.ch/
Useful Websites
Websites with a list of different accommodations are particularly helpful. This way you can see the offer at a glance and compare the prices very easily. If you are looking for a holiday room or an apartment, try the following pages:
http://www.wimdu.de/zuerich
https://www.comparis.ch/immobilien/marktplatz/zuerich/wohnung/1-zimmer/mieten
https://www.traum-ferienwohnungen.de/
Another useful site is Airbnb. This is a kind of online marketplace where accommodation is offered. If you are looking for accommodation in Zurich or Winterthur, you can try the following links:
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/11184149
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/15541196
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/15076246?s=T-1ulI2s
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/16144971?s=T-1ulI2s
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/14820635?s=T-1ulI2s
https://www.airbnb.de/rooms/18006833?s=T-1ulI2s