Can Indian Students Bring Their Spouse or Family With Them While Pursuing Studies in Switzerland

05 July 2025

Studying in Switzerland is a dream come true for many Indian students. Owing to its quality education system, scenic beauty, and cosmopolitan cities, Switzerland has become the darling destination for higher studies in Europe. But for the majority of students, those who aim to immigrate, there is still a giant question mark in their minds — Can I bring my spouse or family with me while studying there?

It’s not just a question of comfort or convenience. Not seeing family members for years would be difficult emotionally for married students or parents with young children. The good news is that Switzerland does permit international students to bring families under specified circumstances. The regulations are a bit tight and differ depending on your home country, visa classification, and wealth.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we not only assist Indian students in gaining admission to premier Swiss universities but also assist them in securing family support and visa services. What follows is a brief and recent overview of how Indian students can apply to take their spouse or dependents along with them while they study in Switzerland.

Can Indian Students Bring Their Family to Switzerland While Studying

Yes, it can be done, but under certain rare conditions. Indian students pursuing education in Switzerland on a student visa can apply for spouse and child dependent visas. But it’s not necessarily so. Swiss immigration authorities look at numerous factors before granting family reunification.

You will have to establish:

• You have adequate financial means to sustain your family independent of the Swiss state’s support.
• You have sufficient accommodation for your family.
• You are following an approved full-time course program.

It’s also something that needs mentioning that not all cantons (Swiss states) are equal. Some will be more laid back than others with dependent visas for international students. Your family will only be permitted to remain in most cases if your course is longer than 12 months.

Spouse Visa Rules and Work Rights

If your partner is joining you on a Family Reunification Visa, they can apply for a work permit but not as of right. This will depend upon the cantonal labour authority and the duration of your course. Normally:

• The partner will need to apply separately in person for a work permit.
• The employer must demonstrate that no Swiss or EU citizen is available to work (this is the difficult one).
• It’s simpler if you’re on a PhD or research scholarship because Switzerland tends to support researchers with families.
• Kids are allowed into local schools but region- and residence permit-based.

How Much Money Do You Need to Show?

You need to prove that you can sustain your dependents while you are in Switzerland. There is no figure that has been put out by the immigration office, but following recent precedents, you need to be able to demonstrate:

• CHF 2,000 to 2,500 per month for each dependent, over and above your own monthly living cost (about CHF 1,500 to 2,000).
• These may consist of papers such as bank statements, scholarships, sponsor letters, or part-time work agreements (though part-time work is not typically sufficient by itself).

Remember, students can work 15 hours a week of the semester and full-time during holidays — but it cannot be your principal source of finance.

Family Visa Processing Time and Documents

Processing time for a family reunification visa is normally between 8 to 12 weeks, depending on the canton and documentation of your family. You will mainly require:

• Your letter of admission into a university and residence permit.
• Marriage certificate (apostilled and translated).
• Birth certificates for children if you have any.
• Documentation of accommodation in Switzerland.
• Documentation of funds.

Ensure you plan very well in advance because delays are the norm and appointments might be difficult to secure during peak season.

Bringing your spouse or children to Switzerland is possible, but it takes preparation and patience. It’s not a simple process, but many Indian students have done it successfully by presenting strong documentation and financial proof. The key is knowing the rules of the canton you’ll be living in and planning every step carefully.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we realize that your experience doesn’t end at merely obtaining a student visa. We provide complete assistance with dependent visa applications, accommodation advice, and settlement upon arrival in Switzerland.

If you are interested in studying in Switzerland and are wondering to learn more about bringing your family with you, call BCES Admissions Abroad today at +91 8800096600 — the study abroad adventure of a lifetime is best shared with the ones you love.