How you can immigrate to Switzerland, how to protect yourself from Fraud and What to expect after you arrive in Switzerland.
The Schengen Visa is a type of visa that allows travelers to visit and travel within the Schengen Area, which is a group of 29 European countries that have abolished passport and other types of border control at their mutual borders. This means that a person with a Schengen Visa can move freely between these countries without having to go through immigration checks at the border.
To obtain a Schengen Visa, applicants need to apply at the embassy or consulate of the country they intend to visit or spend most of their time in. The visa allows for a stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period and can be used for tourism, business, or other purposes. However, the visa does not grant the holder the right to work or study in the Schengen Area.
Schengen Area signifies a zone where 29 European countries abolished their internal borders(countries of Schengen agreement). Here is the list of the countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia , Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. These countries apply common policies in terms of short-term visas.
To visit Switzerland, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
The visa application must be made offline through VFS Global.
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
No, an interview is not usually required to obtain a Switzerland visa, but it may vary. The embassy may interview you by phone or in person.
You can live indefinitely on a permanent resident (PR) visa.
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
CATEGORY |
VISA FEE IN EURO |
Adult Visa |
90 |
To more information about visa fee, please click here
Let us walk you through the process
Get started with your visa application
Once you have determined your visa type and are ready to apply, you can download the Swiss visa application form. Click here to download the VISA Application Form.
You can either complete the application form online and print it or download the form and fill it out by hand. After completing the form, you can submit it in person at the Visa Application Centre or through an authorized representative or travel agent.
It's important to note that the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi will assess your visa application. The Visa Application Centre does not accept applications sent via post.
Choose a Visa Application Centre and make an appointment
After submitting your visa application, you will need to schedule an appointment to have your biometric information (fingerprints and photo) taken at a Visa Application Centre.
Once you have booked your appointment, you will receive a confirmation email along with the appointment letter. Please note that if you are part of a family or group, each member will need to book an individual appointment.
To schedule a group appointment, travel agents can call us at 022-67866042 to procure a preferred slot for submitting applications at the Joint Schengen Visa Application Centres across India.
If you face any issues while scheduling your appointment, please email us at infoswiss@vfshelpline.com with your name, passport number, and contact number. You can also call us at 022-67866035 for assistance.
Before scheduling your appointment, please read through the following instructions:
Find out the amount you need to pay
After submitting your visa application, you will need to pay the Visa Application Fee. If you are applying online, the payment will be made as part of the application process. However, if you download the form and bring it to the Visa Application Centre, payment can be made during your appointment.
Please note that if you pay the Visa Fees online using your Credit/Debit Card/Net Banking, it may take up to 15 working days to process your request.
VISA Type: Fees in INR
Adult Visa: 6900
Child Between 6 - 12 Years: 3450
Child Below 6 Years: 0
Fee Type: Fee in INR
Service Fees: 1983
Convenience Fee: 150
Courier: 690
SMS: 345
Courier Assurance: 1035
Form Filling: 2600
Premium Lounge: 3020
Prime Time Appointment: 3450
If you encounter an error while making an online payment, do not make the payment again online. Kindly contact our helpdesk at infoswiss@vfshelpline.com or the nearest Swiss Visa Application Centre.
In case you need to request a refund, please email us at refunds@vfshelpline.com with the following details:
Attend your scheduled appointment
You’ll have to submit your complete visa application form at the Visa Application Centre in person.
Stay informed about the progress of your application
Track the status of your application and stay updated with its progress by using the online tracking service. To access this service, use the reference number on the invoice or receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre, along with your last name.
Once a decision has been made on your application, you will receive an email notification from the Visa Application Centre. However, if you prefer more detailed tracking information, you may also be able to receive updates via SMS directly to your phone. Check if this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you applied to.
Receive your passport from the Visa Application Centre
Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you can collect your documents from the Visa Application Centre. You may also have the option to have your documents returned to you by courier for an additional fee, depending on the centre.
If you choose to collect your documents in person, bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre and a valid form of government identification. In some cases, you may be allowed to send a representative to collect your documents. They will need to present a letter of authorization signed by you, the receipt issued to you by the Visa Application Centre, and their own government identification.
Make sure to check with the Visa Application Centre at the time of your appointment to learn about the available options for collecting your documents.
Here is a document checklist for applying for a residence visa to Switzerland from India, covering different categories such as employment-based residence permits, study-based residence permits, family reunification, self-employed permit, retirement permit, and humanitarian permit:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
In addition to the documents mentioned above, provide:
Note that specific requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the discretion of the Swiss embassy or consulate. It's advisable to consult the official website of the Swiss embassy or consulate in India for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the residence visa application process for each category.
To apply for permanent residency (PR) in Switzerland from India, you will typically need the following visa application forms and documents:
Application Form for Permanent Residency: This form is specific to the PR application process in Switzerland. The form may vary depending on the canton (state) where you plan to reside. You can obtain the form from the relevant cantonal immigration authorities or the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) in Switzerland.
Any Additional Documents: Depending on your specific circumstances and the requirements of the cantonal immigration authorities, you may need to provide additional documents such as proof of community integration, recommendation letters, or proof of social contributions.
Please note that the specific requirements and procedures for PR applications may vary depending on the canton where you plan to reside in Switzerland. It is advisable to consult the official website of the respective cantonal immigration authorities or the Swiss Embassy/Consulate in India for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Please find below a step-by-step guide on the process of acquiring a visa.
On receiving the approval! To apply for a residence permit visa from India to Switzerland, you can follow these general steps:
Upon arrival in Switzerland, you will need to complete any necessary registration or formalities with the local authorities to finalize your residence permit.
Please note that the specific requirements and procedures may vary based on the Swiss authorities and the canton where you received the approval. It is advisable to consult with the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in India for detailed and up-to-date information specific to your circumstances
It's important to note that each permit category has specific requirements and procedures that need to be followed. It is advisable to consult the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in India or the relevant Swiss immigration authorities for detailed and up-to-date information based on your specific circumstances.