The Swiss Visa for your Trip to Switzerland
If you are thinking of visiting Switzerland as a tourist or to see a family or on a business trip, then applying for a Swiss visa can become a necessary task.
Usually, a visitor can apply for the required Swiss visa online/ at the nearest Swiss consulate in the country where you live.
General Visa Requirements and Validity Period of Swiss Visa
Before applying for a visa for Switzerland, it is advised you check whether you can apply for the Swiss visa.
A brief list of the most important requirements and conditions when obtaining the visa for Switzerland:
- You do not intend to conduct unpaid work that may otherwise be done by a paid worker in Switzerland.
- You do not intend to join a work relationship in Switzerland.
- You do not plan to provide services to Swiss organisations (this is permitted with a Swiss work visa or business visa).
- You do not intend to supply or market product or services to consumers in Switzerland.
- You and your relative are not in debt to the Switzerland Government.
- You do not present a risk to the health or safety and security of the people of Switzerland.
- You have the ability to demonstrate that you have adequate financial resources to pay for your stay and return from Switzerland.
Do I need a Swiss visa?
It depends on your nationality as well as the kind of travel document you are using to take a trip to Switzerland.Please go here to find out if you require a Swiss visa.
Who can obtain a Swiss visa?
Any individual choosing to go on vacation to Switzerland can apply for a Swiss visa.
There are several kinds of visa for Switzerland which you can use as a visitor to Switzerland. If you are not sure which kind of Swiss visa you require to apply, please contact the nearest Swiss visa office to obtain more clarification as objective of this page is to give you basic overview when getting Swiss visa.
What kind of Swiss visa do I need?
This depends upon three factors:
- The citizenship according to your passport – If the citizenship according to the passport is from a country that is on visa free travel to Switzerland or eligible to apply for a visa on arrival in Switzerland, then you may not need to make an application for a Swiss visa before departure from your home country. Please click on this link to confirm if you require a Swiss visa.
- The length of your stay in Switzerland – If you intend to remain in Switzerland for a shorter period less than 90 days, then you can obtain the Swiss visa. If you prefer to remain much longer, then get in touch with the closest Swiss visa office to find the suitable visa for your travel.
- The activities you wish to perform in Switzerland – If your main purpose of travelling is for vacation, then you can make an application for all types of Swiss visas stated on this web page.
General Visa Application Requirements to Obtain Swiss Tourist Visa
- Tourist visa application for Switzerland – Completed Swiss visa application form.
- Original and signed passport – The passport should be valid for at the very least 6 months before going into Switzerland and 3 months after leaving Switzerland. It needs to contain at the very least two extra visa web pages and can not be older than ten years.
- Passport type photo – Photo needs to be no older than 6 months and ought to be 35 x 40mm in size.
- Previous passport – Provide a previous passport if you had any.
- Previous visas – Copies of previous Swiss visas details if you had any.
- Flight tickets to Switzerland – Reservation of return or round trip flight tickets. In some scenarios the Swiss visa office may request for pre-paid flight tickets to Switzerland.
- Travel insurance – Proof of travel insurance policy with a minimum cover set by the Swiss embassy provided with the Certificate of Insurance and the table of benefits. The travel insurance have to cover the cost of repatriation for medical reasons and the Certificate of Currency should be issued by an insurance company. If you are considering using your credit card travel insurance for your travel to Switzerland, please contact Swiss consular office to learn more and travel insurance coverage requirements for the Swiss visa.
- Original bank declarations – Original financial institution statements for the last 3 months revealing enough funds to cover your visit in Switzerland. If statements are printed online then it has to be Authenticated (marked) by the bank officials.
- Hotel Reservations in Switzerland – Copy of confirmed hotel reservations including name of the applicant, name and address of the hotel, time-span of stay. In many situations, only bookings which are partially or completely pre-paid can be accepted.
- Work letter – This letter needs to be: original and signed letter from employer written on company letter head paper, validating your ongoing employment, the status of employment, monthly income and annual leave. Also, please supply your 3 most recent pay slips. If you are self-employed: supply certified copies of business registration, tax return.
- For students. Please offer the following:
- Evidence of current student status: Certificate of Enrollment.
- Original and signed letter from university written on university letter head paper, confirming on-going enrolment, verifying the payment of tuition fees or any scholarships, and confirming semester break.
- Insurance policy from Organisation/University– Supply a letter from the University specifying the purpose, duration of travel and confirmation that you are going to be covered by the insurance coverage for the whole trip in addition to the Certificate of Currency and summary of benefits.
As a whole, visa applications for Swiss visa must be submitted for an optimum of 6 months, and no behind 15 days, prior to the journey.