Switzerland
Depending on the purpose of your travel to Switzerland, different types of Swiss visas will apply to the occasion.
Whether you plan to visit, study, work, or reside in Switzerland permanently, you must apply for a different Swiss Visa.
You can apply for the Swiss Schengen Visa since 2008 when Switzerland, as an EFTA Member State, also became a member state of the Schengen Area.
Stat: As of 2017, Switzerland has issued 451,528 uniform Schengen visas from 517,010 visa applications received at Swiss consulates and embassies worldwide. The Visa rejection rate was 7.25%.
General required documents for a Swiss Schengen Visa Application:
- Download the application form, complete it entirely and with sincerity, and print a hard copy. You can also complete the Schengen Visa application form electronically and print a hard copy.
- Two photos must be attached. The photo should be in passport format—a recent whole-face capture with a light background. Learn more about photo requirements and specifications for a Swiss Visa.
- Your passport and copies of your previous visas – valid for at least three months beyond the return date – are required. Your passport must have at least two blank pages.
- A copy of your return-ticket reservation. It is not recommended to purchase the ticket before obtaining the visa – if not otherwise required
- Travel medical insurance confirmation of a minimum 30,000 € coverage within Switzerland and the entire Schengen area
- A cover letter stating the purpose of the visit to Switzerland and an itinerary
- Flight itinerary reservation with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Switzerland
- Proof of accommodation for the duration of the intended stay in Switzerland. Find and Book Cheap Hotels 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. A foreign national who wants to enter and reside in the territory of Switzerland must be able to attest to owning at least 100 CHF or 92.34€/day on his disposition during his stay in Switzerland. At the same time, if the foreigner is a student, this amount is reduced to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day. A foreigner must provide such proof of sufficient financial means when applying for a Swiss Visa to the Swiss Embassy or Consulate.
If employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement for the latest six months
- No-objection certificate from employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary
If self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement for the latest six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
- Proof of enrollment
- Leave approval letter from school or university
If retired:
- Pension statement for the latest six months
If applicable:
- Regular income generated by property proof of the last six months
*Note: The signed application form must be accompanied by the above-mentioned mandatory documents and handed personally to the appropriate embassy/consulate or its representative in your home country.
Apart from the general documentation required, other additional documents should accompany your Swiss Visa application, depending on its purpose.
Additional documents required for the most frequent purposes of the Swiss Visa Application:
Swiss Tourist/Visitor Visa additional requirements:
- Invitation letter from your family or friends in Switzerland with the address and phone number – if applicable
- Bank statement for the last six months
- Passport copies
Swiss Schengen Visa for Business Purposes:
- 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 for the latest six 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
- Either the employer or the partner company must state on the letter or invitation that they will cover the applicant’s expenses during their stay in the Schengen zone.
Swiss Schengen Visa for Medical Purposes:
- 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
Swiss Schengen Visa for Culture, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes:
- Invitation letter from the authorities mentioned above 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
Swiss Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations:
- The official invitation copy
- Identity of applicant
- Purpose of the journey (negotiations, meetings, events by intergovernmental organisations, consultations)
- Duration of stay
- Place of accommodation
Swiss Schengen Visa for Study, Training, Research, or other type of Internship Purposes:
- An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses
- Certificate of completion or courses attended
- Financial sustenance
Swiss Schengen Visa For The Wife/Husband of a Swiss Citizen:
- Proof of Swiss citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Swiss nationality or naturalisation order)
- Swiss marriage certificate
- Swiss family record book
Swiss Airport Transit Visa:
- Visa or other type of entry permit in the transit country
- Copy of your valid visa for your final destination
Swiss Schengen Visa for Underage Children:
- Proof of parent’s regular income (work contract with specified monthly income or a bank statement or business license)
- Notarized travel permission from parent (parental travel consent)
- If one parent lives in another country – their notarised parental travel consent
*Note: When applying at the Swiss embassy/consulate in the home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their under-age children.
Can I extend my Schengen visa in Switzerland?
You can extend your Swiss Schengen visa, but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entering Switzerland.
Please read How to Extend a Schengen Visa to understand what circumstances and conditions you must fulfil to be eligible to Extend your Swiss Schengen Visa.
Swiss National visa
Suppose you intend to stay in the territory of Switzerland for a total of more than 90 days (at least 91 days) during one or more visits within a half-year period calculated from the date of first entry. In that case, you need to apply for a national visa.
Attention! Please consult the Swiss Embassy in your country for the updated Swiss Visa requirements!
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