I am an incoming Non-EU student starting MSc Statistics at ETH Zurich this Autumn 2020. This will be my first time entering Switzerland, and I already have BSc and MSc in mathematics from elsewhere. So, the MSc Statistics in Zurich will be my second master degree.
This is where I have a concern for national student visa (Type D) application. Only after accepting the offer of admission did ETH send me an immigration guideline which says "Visa applications from students who already have a degree at the desired level may also be rejected." Another page on ETH website outright says "As a rule, visas are rejected if the student already has a degree at the desired level."
I am discussing with International Student Office about this, but I also want to ask around if anyone went through (or know of someone who went though) the similar situation. What were you advised to do? What did you end up doing? How was the ending?
Along with my visa application, I will submit the following personalized documents in addition to routine paperwork:
1. Tabular CV, including records of foreign language skills
2. Letter of motivation: reasons why I want to study in Switzerland
3. Future plans after completion of studies
and can include extra documents.
I plan to include the following information
- reasons for taking a second master degree (changing the field for job opportunities -- I did pure mathematics before deciding it would only lead me to professorship, which is not an ideal job for my post-graduation plan to work near home country)
- plans after completion of studies (immediately move home or to nearby countries in Asia and find a job -- tax and cost of living are lower there, I am the only child and want to be near my family to visit them every other weekend)
Does anyone have suggestions on what information to add or remove? Also, does anyone know where the relevant regulations (possibly in German) are listed, perhaps here ? I have seen discussions here , here , here , here and here .
Thank you a lot!