Visa Courses in Zurich

Your Path to Switzerland: Learn German in Zurich

With our Super-Intensive Course you meet the requirements for a residence permit in the Canton of Zurich — whether you want to learn German intensively and then return home, or specifically prepare for the German exam required by ETH Zurich or the University of Zurich. We'll guide you through the entire application process.

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Who Needs Which Visa?

For stays of more than 90 days, the procedure depends mainly on your nationality.

EU/EFTA Citizens

Generally no entry visa required.
After arrival: register with the local municipality and apply for the residence permit.

Non-EU/EFTA Citizens

Apply for authorization to stay for educational purposes and a visa (type D) before entering Switzerland, at the Swiss embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence.
For a German intensive course in Zurich, a residence permit for education or training purposes may be granted if the requirements are met.

Final Decision The decision is made exclusively by the competent Swiss authority – course enrollment alone does not guarantee a permit.

Two Situations, Different Rules

The Canton of Zurich generally does not allow chaining a language course directly into a subsequent degree program as one continuous residence purpose. There are two separate cases to consider.

Language Course

Learning German in Zurich

You want to learn German intensively and stay flexible about what comes next.

Full-time, in-person language course with at least 20 hours/week (Super-Intensive Course)
Permit granted for a maximum of 12 months
SEM generally expects at least A2-level German at the time of application

Exception

Preparing for ETH Zurich / University of Zurich

A narrowly defined exception – not general "study preparation", but only for students who already hold unconditional admission.

Applies only if the university has already confirmed admission with no further conditions, and only the German exam before the start of studies is still outstanding
Permit granted for a maximum of 6 months (not 12)
Still requires at least 20 hours/week of in-person instruction

If unconditional admission is not yet in place, this exception does not apply – only the language-course rules on the left apply, with no guaranteed path into your studies. Please clarify your individual situation with the Migration Office of the Canton of Zurich or the Swiss representation.

Course Requirements

For the residence permit, the authorities require attendance at a full-time school with at least 20 in-person teaching hours per week, attended regularly.

Our Super-Intensive Course

20 in-person teaching units per week
Recognized for the residence permit in the Canton of Zurich

Free Online Tutoring NEW

Additional online sessions on top — up to 31 teaching units per week in total
Does not count toward the required in-person hours, it only supplements them – the required hours are still delivered by the on-site course
Included at no extra cost

German Level Before Applying

SEM generally expects at least A2 level
Below A2: we recommend taking our online course first

Price Examples

All prices in CHF.

Course	Duration	Price
Super-Intensive Course	3 months	CHF 1,929
Super-Intensive Course	6 months	CHF 3,789 Most Popular
Super-Intensive Course	12 months	CHF 7,189
Official visa enrolment letter	one-time	CHF 50

Financial & Other Requirements

Financial Means

For a twelve-month stay, CHF 21,000 is currently considered sufficient — provable e.g. through confirmation from a bank authorised in Switzerland, a guarantee from a person residing in Switzerland, or sufficient scholarships/educational loans.

Health Insurance

Proof of adequate health insurance.

Accommodation

Proof of suitable accommodation in Switzerland.

Further Documents

Detailed motivation letter, CV with education/professional records, valid passport, a written declaration that you will leave Switzerland again after the course ends.

How the Application Process Works

Choose & register for your course. Register online, choose your level and starting month, and complete payment.
Receive your enrolment confirmation. Pay the CHF 50 fee; for the confirmation we need your address and a copy of your passport.
Apply for your visa. Non-EU/EFTA citizens apply for the visa (type D) before entering, at the relevant Swiss representation.
Course starts once the permit has been granted, in Zurich.
Before registering: read our Terms & Conditions and Refund Policy (especially §5 and §9, which apply to visa students).

Your Advantages with speakeasy Zurich

Full Support

We support you with all course-related documents for your application.

Free Rescheduling

If your visa process takes longer than expected, we'll reschedule your course free of charge.

Refund on Rejection

70 % refund of unused course fees if your application is rejected by the embassy — the enrolment fee is excluded. See T&Cs §5/§9 for details.

Meeting the course requirements does not guarantee that a residence permit will be granted. The final decision is made exclusively by the competent Swiss authority. Requirements may vary depending on nationality and individual circumstances; additional documents may be requested. If your application is rejected, we refund 70 % of unused course fees.