How to Settle in Switzerland from India

With just a 2% unemployment rate, Switzerland is becoming popular with Indians looking to settle abroad. According to Henley and Partners' research, it is home to seven of the best 250 universities, making it an ideal destination for students to study abroad. With an average of Fr 3,347.6 monthly, Indians can easily settle on a temporary visa or with a permanent residence in Switzerland. Let’s look at the complete process of how to settle in Switzerland from India in this article.  

Swiss Permanent Residency and Citizenship

According to the Swiss government, any foreign national who stays for more than three months must acquire a permit. The permit differs based on the duration and purpose of the stay. Individuals looking for a resident permit must apply for a B permit. Similarly, for a settlement permit, you must apply for a C permit, and for a residence permit with gainful employment, you must apply for a Ci permit.

Anyone looking for citizenship can acquire it in three ways:

1. Citizenship via maternal or paternal descent.
2. Through means of naturalization, i.e., via official decision. 
3. Through adoption by a Swiss parent.

How Can I Get Citizenship & PR in Switzerland

To get citizenship through ordinary naturalization, you must stay in Switzerland for at least ten years. Three of these years must be within five years before you file for the citizenship application. You must also have a C permit - the residence permit with you.

Difference Between Citizenship & Permanent Residency

A citizen in Switzerland has Swiss nationality either by birth, through parents, or through the naturalization process. At the same time, permanent residency means a residence permit for foreign nationals in Switzerland. A non-citizen can be in Switzerland for employment, education, or family reasons and may not specifically need or want citizenship.

What Should One Do Before Moving to Switzerland

Plan Your Budget

The average living cost in Switzerland is higher than in many countries. An individual will need Fr 1.535 (INR 1,41,308) in Switzerland compared to €966 (INR 87,023) in Germany. Therefore, you must set up a complete budget for accommodation, transportation, monthly expenses, and healthcare. 

Pick an Affordable Place to Live

Planning for early accommodation is the best option when considering settling in Switzerland. When choosing a temporary or permanent place, consider choosing an affordable one, as it can lower your cost of living. However, do consider your or your family’s needs before deciding on the spot. 

Learn About the Traffic Rules of the Country

Switzerland is very particular and strict regarding traffic rules. If you do not follow them, there can be heavy fines. Different speed limits must be followed. For instance, in cities, it is 50 km/h; on highways, it is 120 km/h; and on open roads, it is 80 km/h. 

Get Familiar with the Switzerland Metric System

In the past, Switzerland did not have a metric system. However, they introduced one in 1877.

What Should One Do After Moving to Switzerland

Once you move to Switzerland, you must register within 14 days at the Swiss Municipality’s Residents Office. You must provide your house’s purchase or rental agreement and employment contract. Then, you will receive a residence permit.

You must sign up for a Swiss health insurance policy within three months. This insurance copy must be submitted to your municipal government. The municipal government will choose one for you if not provided within the specified timeframe.

Job Opportunities for Indian Students in Switzerland

For Indian students to work in Switzerland, you must be a university graduate with several years of work experience. The Swiss government only allows qualified people, like managers and specialists, to work in their country. You will require a work permit even if you are there for a short time. Students can find jobs on the Federal Job Portal of the Swiss Government’s official website. There are over 50 career options to explore for students in Switzerland. One such career option is the business industry. The following are some of the top hiring companies in this vertical:

• UBS
• Nestle
• Procter and Gamble
• EY
• Philip Morris International
• PwC

How is Life in Switzerland

Let’s examine some facets of Swiss life:

Swiss Culture

Switzerland has a very diverse culture because of its federal system and traditions. There are thirteen UNESCO World Heritage sites, museums, and art galleries to explore.  

Language

Four regional languages are spoken in Switzerland - French, German, Romansh, and Italian. Besides these, there are non-regional languages; Portuguese and English are the two most commonly spoken languages.

Religion

Switzerland is a Christian country, with most people being Catholics, followed by Protestants.

Sports

People in Switzerland love to engage in sports. Around 75% of people in Switzerland practice a particular sport. Some popular sports are skiing, football, and ice hockey.

Food and Cuisine

Swiss cuisine has a lot of influence from France, Italy, Austria, and Germany. Some popular dishes are apples and oats, cheese and potatoes, and chocolates.

Checklist to Move to Switzerland from India

Here is the checklist to keep in handy while applying for a visa to Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days:

• Valid national passport
• Four passport-size photos
• Three visa application forms
• Personal cover letter
• Curriculum vitae
• Acceptance or confirmation letter from school or university
• Proof of academic degrees
• Financial proof
• Visa fee

Visas Available for Migration in Switzerland

When looking to settle in Switzerland, one must need a valid visa. Here are the different visas available:

Study Permits

Two kinds of study permits can be issued - for up to 90 days and for more than 90 days.

Work Permit Visas

Your prospective employer can initiate this visa through competent cantonal authorities in Switzerland. You cannot submit a direct request to the Embassy or VFS Global for a work permit visa. If you plan to stay for more than 120 days, this visa is given.

Another work visa is given to people who want to visit Switzerland for less than 120 days in 12 months. You can submit the visa to your employer or the Swiss representative abroad.

Important Requirements to Move to Switzerland from India

Let us look at some essential requirements to fulfill while moving to Switzerland from India:

What is the Eligibility Criteria to Get Swiss Card in Switzerland

The Swiss card is issued by the CERN (Conseil Européen pour la Recherche Nucléaire) administrative services in Switzerland, depending on the person's status. To obtain a Swiss card, below are the general conditions:

• Working time > 50%
• Contract duration > 3 months
• Home located outside Switzerland

Documents Required for Swiss Card

• Photo taken by CERN registration services
• Scanned photocopy of Passport or ID copy 
• Swiss visa scanned photocopy
• Marriage certificate or partnership certificate scanned photocopy
• Birth certificate scanned photocopy

Comparison Between Switzerland & India

We have got you covered if you were wondering how much more you would have to splurge while studying in Switzerland. Here is a quick rundown of the expenses in both countries. 

Cost of Living

Source: Numbeo

Education System

India's school system is divided into four levels: lower primary, upper primary, high, and higher secondary. Students can apply to specialized institutes and universities in India for higher education.

In Switzerland, the cantons provide compulsory education to students and post-compulsory education is provided by the cantons and confederation. The Swiss education system focuses on various aspects of education, such as:

• Special needs education: The special needs education has been the sole task of the cantons since 2008. Thus, they are responsible for the education of children and youngsters with special educational needs.
• Vocational education and training (VET): There are VET programs for approximately 250 different professions. Most adolescents go for VET after completing lower-secondary education.
• Higher education: Tertiary-level professional education is a Swiss specialty. It provides programs for demanding occupational fields and leadership positions.

Language

There are 22 major languages recognized by the Indian Constitution, with Hindi and English being the most commonly spoken ones. Switzerland has four regional languages, with Portuguese and English being non-regional languages.

Household Cost

You will spend INR 1,971 on groceries, such as milk, bread, etc., in India. While in Switzerland, you must pay Fr 130.37 (INR 11,995) for the same items. In India, you can rent a one-bedroom apartment within the city for INR 17,294; in Switzerland, the rent will be Fr 1,764.01 (INR 1,62,288).

Electricity Consumption

For electricity, you will have to pay INR 3,511 in India and Fr 234.19 (INR 21,551) in Switzerland.

Why Should You Settle in Switzerland

Switzerland is a prosperous nation with excellent salaries and living standards. It is one of the most incredible places in the world since many of the richest individuals call it home, where they also do business and enjoy vacations.

What are Types of Immigration in Switzerland

The different types of Swizz immigration visas are:

• Family reunion visa
• Work visas
• Business visas
• Retirement visas

Conclusion

Studying at one of the top universities in Switzerland is an excellent way for Indians to relocate there and settle. You can find and apply to appropriate study in Switzerland programs while applying for the correct visa for academic purposes. You can also use the resources offered by the institutions to facilitate integration and accommodations. After completing your studies, you can explore job opportunities to facilitate a smooth transition into Swiss society.