International Students Information   

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International students applying from abroad and coming to Switzerland for Full-Time Study that require Student Visa should note the following information:

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» Brief Country Information - Switzerland

» Offer of Admission / Letter of Acceptance

» Processing Student Visa / Swiss Residence Permit

» Health Insurance Policy

» Accommodation

» Public Transportation Systems

SWITZERLAND in brief

Switzerland is a confederation; situated in the centre of Western Europe, and having borders with France, Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, and Italy. The federal capital is located in Berne; Switzerland practice Parliamentary Federal State and a Direct Democracy. The country is divided into 20 full cantons (republics) and 6 half cantons. Each canton has its own parliament, government and legal framework. The languages spoken in the various cantons are German (64% of the population), French (19%), Italian (8%), Romanisch (1%) and others (8%). The total population is 7.4 million with approximately 20% representing foreigners.

Switzerland national currency is the Swiss Franc (CHF), freely convertible and globally accepted. The country is one of the most developed economies in the world, with highly developed industries in the field of watches, jewellery, pharmaceuticals, precision instruments, food and education. Alongside these, the country has a very strong services industry in the field of banking, insurance, transport and tourism. Switzerland is a member of the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), but not of the European Union (EU).  Local time is MET (Middle European Time) (Co-ordinated World Time + 1); March to October: MET + 1 (Co-ordinated World Time + 2)

OFFER OF ADMISSION / LETTER OF ACCEPTANCE

Prospective student that meet admission requirements will receive a written "Offer of Admission", with detail information about chosen program of study and payment of the "Required Deposit" and or the "Full First Year Tuition Fees of your study. After receiving all necessary payments, RCM University will send you a written Confirmation of Receipt of Paid Tuition Fees and Letter of Acceptance. The letters are vital documents for international student to apply for Student Visa and Student Resident Permit. RCM will issue and forward another set of Confirmation and Letter of Acceptance to the Embassy or Consulate of Switzerland in your area.

PROCESSING STUDENT VISA / RESIDENCE PERMIT

Upon confirmation of enrolment to study at RCM University, prospective student will received an Admission Package, which will include Letter of Admission/Certificate of Acceptance for the Swiss Immigration Authorities and Embassy of Switzerland, Instructions for Visa Procedures and other related information. In order for you to enter Switzerland as a student you will need to obtain a residence permit. Regulations apply to its issuance and its delivery will vary from country to country. Embassy of Switzerland in your area will be able to provide you with detail information on the requirements.

For information about Visa Centres / Swiss Embassy or Consulate in your country, see weblink of Swiss Federal Office of Migration (Visa - Entry to Switzerland) For information about Residence Permits in Canton Zurich, see weblink of Migration Office Zurich (Residence Permit)

See below items for related information for Visa Processing...

A.  FULL-TIME STUDY - STUDENT VISA PROCEDURE

• Student should first contact the Embassy/Consulate of Switzerland to enquire on the particular documents they will request

• Assemble all required documents and hand them in to the Swiss Embassy.

• The Swiss Embassy will invite you to a personal interview, in which your documents will be reviewed, your career objectives discussed, the reason why you have chosen Switzerland required.

• After the personal interview, your documents are sent to Switzerland for a decision. Please note that the government decision is definite and is not subject to opposition on your behalf.

• The process of your demand review takes two to three months and RCM or any other third party cannot be informed on its progress. It is only the candidate in person who can request information from the consulate.

• In the case of approval, the candidate will need to submit a valid passport, and thereafter RCM will needs to fax to the Embassy directly a proof that all your tuition fees (mostly full first year tuition fees) have been paid.

• The student will then collects the student visa with which to enter Switzerland

• Upon your arrival in Switzerland, you need to go the Cantonal Immigration Department within the first week and register with them. The actual residence papers will be given to you by them within one to two months.

B.  DISTANCE LEARNING STUDY - TOURIST/VISITING VISA PROCEDURE

Distance learning coming to Switzerland to attend special seminar or Lecture organised by Rockfield College of Management, will generally follow the official visa procedures including the following:

• Visa application form, duly filled and signed.

• 2 passport pictures

• Travelling passport valid 6 month after the visa expiry.

• Letter from Rockfield College of Business Switzerland

• Flight reservation

• Hotel reservation and confirmation sent directly to the Consulate and a copy to you

• Photocopy of your passport

• Statement of Adequate Financial Support in Switzerland

• Declaration to leave Switzerland upon visa expiry

• International travel insurance

• Proof of paid Visa fees

HEALTH INSURANCE POLICY

Health insurance is obligatory in Switzerland. All persons visiting and residing in Switzerland must be in possession of a valid health insurance, recognized in the country. For residents of short-term duration, a foreign insurance is valid in Switzerland. In the case of stays longer than 1 year, the person will be obliged to contract a Swiss health insurance. The choice of company is free, but in the case of failure to comply, the state authorities will automatically insure the person. The Federal Office for Social Security and the Swiss Health Insurance association can provide you with further details.

ACCOMMODATION

Rockfield College of Management and partner organisations will assist foreign students to get settle down in a convenience apartment. Apartments in Switzerland are rented in a very good state and usually unfurnished apartments will most of the time have fully fitted kitchens.

When you move to Switzerland, you will need to rent a furnished or non-furnished flat. Please note that most housing agencies require a two month deposit for rent and will further require you to be in possession of Valid Swiss Residence Permit.

Guidelines for the cost of living in Zurich as a student

If student plan for a short stay; hotels or holiday apartments may be required. In most cases, we shall provide you popular search engines where there are a large number of offers for apartments by region. Local newspapers and agencies will be of significant help and the following websites:

www.myswitzerland.ch  /  www.wgzimmer.ch  /   www.immo.ch   /   www.immostreet.ch

TRANSPORTATION SYSTEMS

Switzerland has one of the best public transport systems in the world. It is a combination of a frequently used rail system, public buses, trams, airplanes and in some cases boats. Students are entitled to discounts in most of these cases. Make sure you enquire on these. Most of the times the discounts are in regards to age and studying status and are frequently limited to 26 years of age.

DRIVING: The Swiss driving regulations are very strict. Before entering the country, enquire in the Swiss consulate if your driving license is valid, or whether you need to retake an exam.

In general, you need to hold a valid national driving license and a valid international driving license. In the case you will live in Switzerland longer than 1 year, you are required to transform your home driver license into a Swiss driver license

Please note that the speed limit in the country is 120 km on the highway, 70 km on secondary roads and 30-50 km in residential areas. The alcohol limit is 0.5. You should note that the traffic density on the highway is very high and in autumn, winter and spring the amount of rain and snow can make the traffic conditions difficult, especially for less experienced drivers. Traffic accidents are one of the highest causes of death and serious injury in the country for those under the age of 35. Make sure you follow the rules and regulations and care about your safety and that of others.

AIRPORTS: Major international airports are located in Zurich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and Lugano. Domestic flights are served by the national carrier, Swiss, and others. International destinations are served by Swiss and the national carriers of most countries. With the development of discount travel, a number of low cost carriers are present in the country and can take you very cheaply around Europe e.g. Intersky, EasyJet, AirBerlin, Germania, Virgin.

RAILWAYS/TRAINS: The Swiss train network (SBB, CFF) in the country is very reliable. Consequently, a large proportion of the population uses this means of transport between the cities. Trains however are quite expensive. If you use them frequently, you should buy for CHF 150 per year a half-price card, entitling you to a 50% discount on all tickets. In case of a very intense use of the train, and the public transport network, you can buy annual transport card, which gives you access to all forms of transport without any limits and fees. There are discounts fares valid in accordance to the age and the destination. Feel free to talk to the train station desk personnel. They are extremely helpful.

BUSES + TRAMS: Inland road transportation i.e. buses, trams and sometimes metro are available in large and small cities also countryside/township. You can buy separate tickets, a booklet of tickets (which entitles you to a discount) and monthly/annual travel cards. Special Prices for people under 26 and students are available in most areas.