Indian citizens who want to move to Switzerland must first apply for an entry visa with the Swiss embassy in New Delhi or an authorized visa center. Before that, they need to establish the reason for relocation, as based on it, they will be granted a short-term residence permit.
For stays longer than 90 days, Indian citizens must apply for a national visa type D (long-stay) at the Swiss representation in India. The type D visa allows entry for the purpose of obtaining a residence permit in Switzerland.
Below, our immigration lawyers in Switzerland explain the main pathways for relocating to Switzerland from India, as well as how to obtain permanent residency if this is their aim.
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Citizens of India who want to immigrate to Switzerland must follow the steps below:
Please note that there is also an exception to the rule of obtaining an entry visa: it applies to Indian citizens who move to Switzerland from a Schengen country (there are 27 countries in the Schengen zone at the moment, Switzerland included).
If you want to relocate to Switzerland from India directly and as a first-time immigrant in Europe, it is recommended to get in touch with our lawyers who can explain the procedure in detail.
Compared to other European nations, which make it easy for non-EU citizens to move, Switzerland has strict regulations. Here is an example in this sense: if you want to know how to move to Switzerland from India based on employment, you should know that there are limitations on the number of work visas issued every year. Thus, once that limit is reached, you will need to wait another year.
If you are wondering how to immigrate to Switzerland from India and avoid this limit, you can select between:
These pathways are not subject to restrictions. However, with the help of our immigration law firm in Switzerland, you can also move there based on employment, provided you have the necessary skills or relevant experience.
After entering Switzerland and obtaining a D visa in advance, you have to register with the municipal/commune authority within 14 days and then apply for a B residence permit with the cantonal authority. The exact deadline and steps may vary slightly depending on the canton.
Our lawyers can offer guidance on this aspect, as well as how to move to Switzerland from India by other means.
For non-EU/EEA citizens, the B permit in Switzerland is issued for up to one year and can be renewed annually as long as the conditions (e.g., purpose of stay, job, etc.) continue to be met. The validity and exact conditions depend on the type of permit and the decision of the cantonal authority. Our Swiss immigration specialists can help you apply for it and renew it in due time, so that you are not forced to leave the country.
The C permit in Switzerland (permanent residence) is obtained after continuous legal residence for a period of 10 years, for most non-EU/EEA citizens. During this period, integration aspects and tax obligations are also taken into account, and the decision is also made by the Swiss authorities. The application is not complicated and can be overseen by our specialists.
If you need additional information on how to move to Switzerland from India, our lawyers are at your disposal for complete support.
Any non-EU/EEA citizen (including India) moving to Switzerland must take out mandatory Swiss health insurance (Loi fédérale sur l’assurance-maladie – LAMal / Krankenversicherungsgesetz – KVG) within 3 months of arrival, even if they have private insurance from India (that is not enough).
It is mandatory by law for anyone moving to Switzerland, regardless of nationality or reason for stay.
It is not included in the standard “cost of living” (utilities/food/transportation) but is among the highest real monthly costs. Many migrants/expats are taken by surprise by this aspect.
If you are an Indian citizen moving to Switzerland, you should know that the cost is high compared to Indian standards, and it is not intuitive for those coming from different healthcare systems.
Your legal obligation as an Indian citizen is to take out health insurance within the first 3 months of arrival. The average monthly cost is between 250 and 400 CHF / adult, depending on the deductible and the canton.
Therefore, if you consider moving to this country, our immigration lawyers in Switzerland are at your disposal for any information you need regarding the entire residency process.
Switzerland is known for having higher living costs compared to other European countries. What does that mean if you relocate here? Here is some information:
If you need assistance in moving to Switzerland from India, contact our immigration lawyers.
