Visa and residence permit regulations for Switzerland
Since 12.12.2008 Switzerland is part of the Schengen/Dublin agreement.
Courses which are longer than 90 days
Most students whose nation is not part of the Schengen/ Dublin agreement and whose lecture phase takes longer than 90 days (such as the School of Biblical Studies / Original, 50plus and Couples Discipleship Training School / Basic Leadership School / Worldview Leadership Course) need a national visa type D for a stay of more than 90 days.
The application for a long stay visa D must be submitted to the Swiss Embassy no later than 10 weeks before the school begins. We must have your completed application 13 weeks before the school begins.
You will need an invitation letter from YWAM Wiler to apply for your visa. As soon as your application is complete (including the various reference forms) and you are accepted for the school, this letter will be sent to you.
We will register you with the cantonal authorities (communal administration) upon arrival in order for you to receive a residence permit. Please note, that the visa D and residence permit cost about an additional CHF 350.00 for you.
We also have to register students who are allowed to enter Switzerland without a Visa D with the cantonal authorities (communal administration) upon arrival in order for them to receive a residence permit. The residence permit costs you about CHF 150.00.
You can find out whether you need a visa D here (please select your country).
Courses which are shorter than 90 days
For those schools (such as the School of Biblical Christian Worldview / School of Missional Justice / Discipleship Bible School / English Learning for Missions) you may enter Switzerland as a tourist. Please note, that the Schengen immigration requirement states, that you may only stay for a total of 90 days in the Schengen agreement area within a period of 180 days (6 months). That means you cannot stay longer before or after the school in any of the Schengen nations.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a Schengen visa (Purpose of journey: Study) for a stay of up to 90 days in Switzerland. In this case you will need an invitation letter from YWAM Wiler to apply for your visa. As soon as your school application is complete (including the various reference forms) and you are accepted for the school, this letter will be sent to you.
Students who can enter Switzerland without a visa can stay in Switzerland for 90 days within a period of 180 days (6 months) without having to register with the cantonal authorities.