The Schengen visa application process for Switzerland can be confusing, especially for first time applicants. The rules and regulations surrounding the Schengen visa application process for Switzerland for different nationalities is even more confusing.

If you are looking for options to get Schengen visa for Switzerland , there are various choices. You can choose from applying in person or apply online from home. Similarly, you can choose from applying at the Swiss Embassy visa application center or else by using a Visa Application Centre .

Schengen Visa For Switzerland

A Schengen Visa is a visa issued by any of the Schengen member states. Switzerland is a Schengen member, which means that anyone who wants to enter Switzerland from another Schengen country doesn’t have to have their visa stamped on arrival. The actual visa (and passport) are checked at the airport before entry into the respective country. With a single visa, you can travel to and stay in all of the countries in the Schengen area for up to 90 days during 6 months without any additional visa requirements.

Whether you are an employer or a foreign national, there are several documents that that need to be submitted when applying for a Schengen visa. Here is the right way to provide all the necessary information to postulate your application.

Switzerland Visa Application & Entry Requirements

Situated in western, central and southern Europe, Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is officially known as the Swiss Confederation and ranks at the top globally, in several metrics of national performance.

The country has an area of 41,285 km2 and a population of 8,508,898. It does not have an official capital, but the city of Bern is its de jure capital. Its two largest cities Zürich and Geneva are global cities and economic centres.

Switzerland is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association; however, it is not part of the European Union. It joined the Schengen Area in 2008 since when on, world travellers can enter its territory with a Schengen visa.

In 2017, Switzerland issued a total of 451,528 uniform Schengen visas from 517,010 visa applications received at Swiss consulates and embassies around the world. The visa rejection rate was 7.25%.

Fun fact: Switzerland has not been involved in any wars since 1815!

Switzerland Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Switzerland, as well as the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020. With the improved epidemiological situation in the EU and abroad, Switzerland has lifted the entry ban for a few countries and several categories of travellers.

Read “Travel Restrictions: Who Can Enter Switzerland & What Are the Rules” to get the latest updates regarding Switzerland entry restrictions and other measures imposed by Swiss authorities.

Switzerland Entry Requirements

Because of the common travel area of the Schengen Zone, the member states of which have abolished borders for their citizens, if you are an EU/EEA national, you will only need an identification document to enter Switzerland.

Whereas, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveller wishing to visit Switzerland, you will need to present the following, when you show up at the Swiss port of entry:

• A passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond your planned date of exit from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years.
• A visa – if you are subject to the Swiss visa regime.

*British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.

Aside from these documents, the Swiss border officer may ask you a few questions about your trip to Switzerland like:

• What is your purpose of visiting Switzerland?
• How long do you intend to stay in Switzerland?
• Where are you going to stay in Switzerland? Etc.

Keep in mind that the border police holds the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Switzerland or not. If the Swiss border officer concludes that you are no risk for Switzerland, upon checking your documents, you will be permitted to enter Switzerland, and thus the Schengen territory.

Please, make sure that the Swiss border officer stamps your passport when you enter Switzerland. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from Switzerland.

Who Needs a Visa to Enter Switzerland?

You will need a short-stay visa to enter Switzerland and any other member country of the Schengen zone, if you belong to one of the following categories:

• You are the national of a third-world country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
• You are the national of a third-world country that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously rejected from entering Switzerland or any other Schengen country.

Please note that these visas permit you to stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you need a visa to stay in Switzerland for a longer period, apply for a Swiss National Visa instead.

What Documents Are Required for a Switzerland Visa Application?

As a traveller in need of a visa, you will have to meet several Switzerland visa requirements in order to complete your application. The statutory Switzerland visa requirements are as follows:

• Swiss visa application form. Complete the form with correct information in compliance with the information in the rest of the documents. Here you can easily learn how to fulfil the form without any mistakes!
• Two passport photos. The photos should be identical and comply with the photograph requirements for the Swiss Schengen visa application.
• Your national passport. Valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date, no older than 10 years, and containing at least two blank pages.
• Copies of your previous visas. If you have ever held a visa to Switzerland, the Schengen territory or another country in the world, provide the embassy/consulate with copies of those visas.
• Schengen travel visa insurance. Purchase travel medical insurance valid for Switzerland and the whole territory of the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies.

Travel health insurance policies for foreigners travelling to Switzerland that fulfil Swiss Schengen Visa requirements can be purchased online from AXA Assistance or Europ Assistance. Both companies are accepted by Swiss authorities worldwide. 

• Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave Switzerland. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
• Proof of accommodation. I.e. a hotel reservation.
• Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
• Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland. You must be able to attest owning at least 100 CHF or 92.34€/day on your disposition during your stay in Switzerland, while, in case you are a student this amount reduces to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day.
• A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Switzerland, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.

UK residents, please read: How to Apply for a Switzerland Visa in the UK?
US residents, please read: How to Apply for a Switzerland Visa in the US?

Additional Swiss Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status

The additional Switzerland visa requirements depending on your occupational status are as follows:

If employed:

• Employment contract
• Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Leave permission from the employer
• Income Tax Return (ITR) form

If self-employed:

• A copy of your business license
• Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
• Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

• Proof of enrollment
• No-objection certificate from school or university
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