Visa Types
Switzerland Visa Application Simplified
Find out what documents you need to travel, visit family And friends, do business, or transit through Switzerland.
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What Is Schengen Visa?
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.
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Here Are The Schengen Area Countries As Of March 2024:
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.
Key Points for Switzerland Visitor Visa >>>
Do you need a visa to travel to Switzerland?
To visit Switzerland, Indians will need a Schengen visa.
Switzerland visa application is made online or offline?
The visa application must be made offline through VFS Global.
Do I need to give biometrics?
Yes, biometrics are required to obtain a visa.
Is there an interview required to obtain a Switzerland 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.
What is the maximum length of stay permitted on a visit visa?
On a visit visa, you can stay for up to 180 days.
What kind of visa will we acquire from Switzerland?
It will be a physical sticker visa, which will be affixed to a page on your passport
Current Visa fees: (Updated on 16-10-2023)
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CATEGORY |
VISA FEE IN EURO |
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Adult Visa |
90 |
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Children Between 6 – 12 Years |
45 |
To more information about visa fee, please click here
Step-by-step guide
Let us walk you through the process
- Before applying for a visa to Switzerland as a Schengen State, determine the purpose of your visit, such as tourism, business, education, or medical treatment, to choose the appropriate visa type.
- Refer to the official website of the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for comprehensive information on visa categories, requirements, and application procedures for Schengen visas to Switzerland.
- Ensure you fulfill the specific documentation, financial, and eligibility criteria for the selected visa category to enhance the likelihood of a successful visa application for Switzerland as a Schengen State.
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:
- You can reschedule your appointment up to two times.
- If you need to reschedule, please do so at least two days prior to your scheduled appointment date.
- If you reschedule your appointment more than two times, it will be considered a new appointment.
- If you wish to cancel your appointment, please note that service charges will not be refunded. Appointments can only be cancelled two working days prior to the scheduled date.
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:
- Web Reference Number/Transaction ID
- Name and Passport Number
- Contact Details of the Applicant
- Date of Transaction
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.
DOCUMENT CHECKLIST
Here is a comprehensive document checklist for applying for a visitor visa to Switzerland across different categories:
1. Valid Passport:
- Your passport should be valid for at least six months beyond the intended duration of your stay in the Switzerland.
- It should have at least one blank page for the visa endorsement.
2. Completed Visa Application Form:
- Completed and signed visa application form, available from the Swiss embassy or consulate website.
- Make sure to provide all the required information.
3. Recent Passport-sized Photographs: (Optional):
- Provide two recent, color passport-sized photographs.
- The photographs should meet the Switzerland visa photo requirements.
4. Travel Itinerary:
- Provide a detailed travel itinerary outlining your planned activities and accommodations during your stay in the Switzerland.
- Include details such as flight bookings, hotel reservations, and any planned tours or activities.
5. Proof of Financial Means:
- Provide evidence of your financial ability to support yourself during your stay in the Switzerland.
- This can include bank statements, salary slips, sponsorship letters, or any other relevant financial documents.
6. Employment Documents:
- If you are employed, provide an employment letter from your employer stating your position, salary, and the period of leave granted for your travel.
- Include recent payslips to demonstrate a stable income.
7. Business Documents (if applicable)::
- If you are traveling for business purposes, provide documents such as a letter of invitation from the Switzerland company or organization, details of meetings or conferences, or any other relevant business-related documents.
8. Accommodation Proof:
- Provide proof of your accommodation arrangements in the Switzerland.
- This can include hotel reservations, a letter of invitation from a host, or rental agreement if staying with friends or family.
9. Travel Insurance: (Optional)
- Travel Health Insurance: Proof of travel health insurance with coverage of at least 30,000 euros, valid for the entire duration of your stay in Switzerland. The insurance should cover medical emergencies, hospitalization, and repatriation..
- Ensure that the coverage is valid for the entire duration of your visit.
10. Previous Travel History:
- Provide documentation of your previous international travel history.
- Include copies of visas, entry/exit stamps, and any previous Switzerland visas or permits.
11. Proof of Strong Ties to Home Country:
- Provide evidence of your strong ties to your home country to demonstrate your intention to return after your visit.
- This can include proof of employment, property ownership, family relationships, or any other relevant documents.
12. Payment of Visa Fee:
- Pay the applicable visa application fee as per the current fee schedule.
- Keep the payment receipt as proof of payment.
Purpose of Visit Documents:
- For Tourist Visa:
- Detailed travel itinerary, including places you plan to visit and activities you plan to engage in.
- Proof of accommodation bookings or an invitation letter from a friend or family member residing in Switzerland.
- For Business Visa:
- Letter of invitation from the company or organization in Switzerland you will be visiting.
- Details of the business meetings or conferences you will be attending.
- For Family Visit:
- If visiting friends or relatives, a letter of invitation from your host in Switzerland stating their relationship with you, their address, and their willingness to accommodate and support you during your stay.
- Proof of relationship, such as birth certificates, marriage certificates, or family photographs.
- Transit Visa:
- Confirmed flight tickets for your onward travel.
- Valid visa for your final destination (if required).
Remember that specific requirements may vary depending on your individual circumstances and the discretion of the embassy or consulate. Always consult the official website of the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for the most accurate and up-to-date information regarding the visa application process.
VISA APPLICATION FORMS
To apply for a Switzerland Visitor Visa (also known as a Schengen Visa), you will typically need the following documents:
Application Form: Fill out the visa application form accurately and completely. You can usually obtain the form from the official website of the Swiss Embassy or Consulate in India.
Please note that the specific requirements may vary slightly depending on the Swiss Embassy or Consulate where you submit your application. It is always advisable to consult the official website of the respective embassy or consulate for the most accurate and up-to-date information.
VISA APPLICATION GUIDELINES:
Here is a concise guide for applying for a visitor visa to Switzerland from India:
- Review the visa requirements and gather the necessary documents.
- Download the visa application form from the official Swiss Embassy/Consulate website.
- Fill out the application form accurately and completely.
- Collect supporting documents such as passport, photographs, flight itinerary, accommodation proof, travel medical insurance, proof of financial means, employment documents (if applicable), travel itinerary, travel history documents, proof of civil status, and a cover letter.
- Schedule an appointment with the Swiss Embassy/Consulate for visa submission.
- Attend the appointment on the scheduled date and time.
- Submit your completed application form and supporting documents.
- Pay the visa application fee, if required.
- Provide biometric data (fingerprints and photograph) if requested.
- Keep the receipt or acknowledgment provided for tracking your application.
- Wait for a decision on your visa application.
- If necessary, provide any additional documents or attend an interview as requested by the embassy/consulate.
- Once approved, collect your passport and visa.
- Verify that all the information on the visa is correct.
- Make necessary travel arrangements and carry your passport, visa, and relevant documents during your journey to Switzerland.
Please note that this is a general guide, and it's always recommended to visit the official website of the Swiss Embassy/Consulate in India for detailed and up-to-date information specific to your situation