Switzerland Visa
Switzerland is a landlocked mountainous country in South Central Europe, bordered by Austria, France, Germany, Italy, and Liechtenstein. The country is a famous tourist destination for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Banking and finance are key industries, and Swiss watches and chocolate are world renowned.
WHO NEEDS SWISS VISA?
Depending on your nationality, you need a visa to travel to Switzerland. From 2004, Switzerland has been part of the Schengen area and hence to enter Switzerland you do not need to apply for a Switzerland visa but instead need to apply for a Schengen visa for Switzerland. This visa allows tourists to move freely between Switzerland and 25 other countries.
Here is the list of all the Schengen countries.
Austria
Switzerland
Czech republic
Denmark
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Greece
Hungary
Iceland
Italy
Latvia
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Malta
Netherlands
Norway
Poland
Portugal
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Sweden
Switzerland
Liechtenstein
Apart from this, there are 17 countries that are not yet part of the Schengen area but still allow visitors to enter their country with a Schengen visa. These include:
Albania
Antigua and Barbuda
Belarus
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Bulgaria
Serbia
Columbia
Croatia
Cyprus
Georgia
Gibralter
Turkey
Kosovo
Macedonia
Montenegro
Romania
Sao Tome and Principe
TYPES OF SWISS VISA
Probably one of the most popular Belgian visas, this is meant for those travellers looking to visit Switzerland for less than 90 days for the sole purpose of tourism.
A business visa is given to those who are planning to visit Switzerland for engaging in temporary work or business.
Visitor visa – for foreigners who have family members or friends residing in Switzerland, and wish to pay them a visit.
Visa for medical treatment is issued for patients that that need to obtain medical care in one of the hospitals or clinics in Switzerland
This is a special visa given to applicants who want to travel to Switzerland to participate in cultural or sporting events or shooting a film.
Only applicants who are intending to study in a Belgian institution, conduct research or even undergo some kind of educational training and internship for less than 6 months, are eligible for a student visa.
As per Switzerland visa requirements, a transit visa is required if there is a scheduled layover of a few hours in any Belgian city before heading to your destination. But only applicants from a few countries need to obtain this visa.
If your travel is related to attending intergovernmental meetings, consultations, negotiations or events, you will need to apply for a special official visit visa.
REQUIREMENTS OF SWISS VISA
General required documents for a Swiss Schengen Visa Application:
- Download the application form, fill it completely and with sincerity. You can also fill the Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
- 2 photos must be attached; the photo should be of passport format – a recent whole-face capture with a light background.
- Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least 3 months beyond return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
- Travel medical insurance confirmation of minimum 30,000 € coverage within Switzerland and the entire Schengen area
- A cover letter stating the purpose of visit to Switzerland and itinerary
- Flight itinerary reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Switzerland
- Proof of accommodation for the whole duration of the intended stay in Switzerland.
- Proof of civil status (marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, ration card if applicable)
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland.
According to the purpose of travel, each types of visa requires additional documents during the application process.
Visitor Visa additional requirements:
Invitation letter from your family or friends in Switzerland with the address and phone number – if applicable
Bank statement of the last 6 months
Passport copies
Visa for Business Purposes requirements:
Invitation letter from the Swiss company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit
A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel
If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided
Business bank statement of the latest 6 months
Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint stock companies) Trade License (first issued and present renewal), Proprietorship/Partnership documents
Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.
Visa for Medical Purposes requirements:
A local medical report
A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Switzerland, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation
Payment receipt of medical fees
Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes requirements:
Invitation letter from the above-mentioned authorities with details upon the nature of events or activities – purpose of visit , expense coverage
Names of the applicants (crew members)
Duration of stay
Travel itinerary
Visa for Members of Official Delegations requirements:
The official invitation copy
Identity of applicant
Purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations)
Duration of stay
Place of accommodation
Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes requirements:
An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
Certificate of completion or courses attended
Financial sustenance
Transit Visa Requirements:
Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
Copy of your valid visa for your final destination
HOW TO APPLY FOR A SWISS VISA
Depending on how your destination country in Schengen has regulated visa submission in your country of residence, you will have to submit your Schengen visa application at one of the following:
- Their embassy
- One of their consulates
- A visa center to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced visa submission
- The embassy / consulate of another Schengen state to which the embassy of your destination country has outsourced visa submission
Schedule your appointment for VFS centre.
Make a check list of the documents that you need to submit along with your application form. Gather all the documents and keep them ready for submission.
Submit your application at VFS on your appointment date: The process usually goes like this: Arrival and waiting period, Submission of documents, Biometrics, Visa payment
Wait for the results of your Schengen Visa application
SWISS VISA FEES
Visa application fee in cash or postal orders:
£50.00, adults
£30.00, children aged 6-12
£30.00, nationals of Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina
There is no visa fee for the following applicants:
– minors under the age of 6 years
– school pupils, students and accompanying teachers on study or educational trips
– Researchers
– spouses and children of EU nationals
VISA PROCESSING TIME
You can apply for a Switzerland Schengen visa 3 months before your planned trip. Depending on the nationality of the applicant, the processing time may take between 4 and 15 days since the day of your application.
VISA APPLICATION FORM
To apply for a visa, applications must complete a Switzerland visa application form dowloaded from this website then You print and sign it before going to the visa application centre.