Switzerland student visa from Dhaka: why the embassy will not tell you your status
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The Swiss embassy in Dhaka will not tell you how your application is going: "Information regarding the progress of an application will not be entertained by this Embassy." 1 That matters because the wait is long. The embassy says the process takes approximately three months, and once the cantonal authorisation arrives it processes the visa within 5 days. The checklist is dated 5 January 2026 1.
Where and how
You apply in person at the Embassy of Switzerland, Dhaka, Bay's Edgewater, 8th Floor, Plot 12, North Avenue, Gulshan 2. An appointment by email to dhaka.visa@eda.admin.ch is mandatory 1. The visa is a national visa D for studies of more than 90 days. The embassy forwards your file, and the competent Swiss cantonal or national authorities decide. The embassy issues the visa after they authorise it 1. The visa processing fee is free of charge 1.
What the checklist asks for
- Three signed long-stay (D) visa application forms with photos 1
- A passport valid at least 3 months beyond departure with two blank pages, and previous passports 1
- Apostilled academic diplomas, a CV and proof of employment 1
- A signed personal letter on why you study there, your plans, confirmation you will leave afterwards, and where you will live 1
- An acceptance letter confirming tuition has been paid 1
- Sponsor confirmation, 6 months of bank statements, a bank balance letter and 3 years of tax returns 1
- TOEFL or IELTS, which is compulsory, or a language certificate if the course is in German, French or Italian 1
- A police clearance certificate no older than 6 months 1
- Proof of family bonds 1
After you arrive you must register with the residents' registration office within 14 days 1.
Schengen numbers for Dhaka
These are short-stay Schengen (type C) visas at the Swiss consulate in Dhaka, all purposes and all nationalities, not student visas. In 2024 there were 1,238 applications, 984 issued (233 multiple-entry) and 241 not issued 2. That is about 19 percent not issued (241 of 1,238) 2.
Because the embassy gives no updates, keep your appointment email and the date of your submission to hand for the status check above.
Sources
Every numbered citation above links to one of these official pages.
