Visa Services in Switzerland

A visa is an authorization that permits a traveler to visit a particular country. It is usually in the form of a sticker document affixed to a passport page or a stamp placed in one of the passport pages. Each country has its own visa policies but the application process is quite similar.

If you wish to travel to Switzerland then you are required to obtain a Switzerland visa before entering in the country. Depending on your purpose of travel, Switzerland offers various types of visas. Switzerland is the part of the 26 countries making up for the “Schengen area” which allows them to have a common visa and no border control so that any of these nationalities can travel freely to Switzerland.

Types of Swiss Visa

  1. Tourist Visa
  2. Business Visa
  3. Family/Friend Visit Visa
  4. Employment Visa

Note that, each of the visa types can be obtained visa same process. The only thing that changes in the number of documents required for each type of visa.

1. Tourist Visa

Foreigners who want to visit Switzerland to enjoy the serene nature and get away from the hustle-bustle of your country must apply for a Switzerland Tourist Visa. The documents required to apply for a tourist visa are as follows:

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country
  • Visa application form
  • Two passport size photographs
  • Letter of cover that includes information about the application
  • The applicant’s income-tax statement from the last 3 years
  • The bank statement from last 6 months
  • A proof of company registration under the SHOP/MOA/Deed, etc.

The time required for getting an approval for the tourist visa to Switzerland generally takes about 15 working days.

2. Business Visa

If an individual wants to travel to Switzerland for business purpose, he/she needs to apply for a business visa and get an approval from the Swiss Immigration Department. The documents required to obtain the work permit in Switzerland are:

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country
  • Visa application form
  • Two passport size photographs
  • A cover letter with the company letterhead
  • Proof of stay in Switzerland such as hotel booking
  • A document stating travel insurance of the applicant
  • The applicant also needs to provide a document from the company that he or she is being sent to Switzerland for a business that acts as proof of business registration
  • A letter of invitation from the Swiss government

The time taken by the Swiss immigration department to process a request for a business visa usually takes about 15 working days.

3. Family/Friend Visit Visa

If a person is visiting Switzerland on the invitation of a family member or friend then he or she has to apply for a family/friend visit visa. The documents required for getting an approval for a family/friend visit visa are:

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country
  • Visa application form
  • Two passport size photographs
  • The bank statement from last 6 months
  • If the applicant is retired then he or she has to provide a proof of retirement or a pension order
  • If the candidate is a student, he or she has to provide a school ID

The family/friend Swiss visa usually takes 10-15 days to process.

4. Employment Visa

If a person wants to work and live in Switzerland then he or she has to apply for an employment visa. The employment Swiss visa requirements are as follows:

  • The process must be initiated by the organization that is supposed to employ the individual by sending a request to cantonal authorities of Switzerland
  • The authorities will review the request. They will have to approve the application before it can be sent to the Swiss representation in the native country of the applicant
  • The document that states the authorized entry of the applicant on a work visa to Switzerland needs to be provided along with the passport, two photos of the applicant, a separate copy of the first and last page of the passport of the applicant and the visa fee
  • The decision for approval of the employment visa of the candidate is taken by the Swiss cantonal migration authority. This process takes about 8-12 weeks and if the application gets approved then further 5 days for the processing

Schengen Visa in Switzerland

From the year 2004, Switzerland has been a part of the Schengen area and hence to enter Switzerland you do not need to apply for a Switzerland visa but instead need to apply for a Schengen visa for Switzerland. This visa allows tourists to move freely between Switzerland and 25 other countries. Depending on the nature of your travel, there are three different types of Schengen Visas that you can apply for. The Uniform Schengen Visa allows tourists to stay in one of the Schengen member countries for up to 90 days at a stretch in a six-month period.

How to Apply for a Schengen Visa?

The following process must be followed to apply for a Schengen Visa in Switzerland:

  1. An application form for the type of visa you require must be filled electronically and printed or printed first and then filled in with ink
  2. The application must be then submitted in person or by an authorized travel agent or any representative at the Switzerland Visa Application Centre
  3. Applications for a Schengen visa must be submitted between 15 to 90 days in advance of the traveling date. For this, an appointment needs to be scheduled in advance

After these, you must submit the following documents:

  • A valid passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country
  • A copy of your flight reservation
  • Your itinerary (download sample personal cover letter)
  • A cover letter mentioning the nature of your visit
  • Medical insurance
  • Proof of accommodation arrangement
  • Proof of financial stability
  • Proof of identity

Our Visa Services in Switzerland

We can assist you with all the processes, right from application to procurement and renewal, of Switzerland visa. In particular, we provide the following Switzerland visa services:

  • Applying for all types of visas
  • Processing and visa renewal in Swiss business and employment visas
  • Arranging for visa transfer and visa cancellation
  • Assisting in arranging and submitting the notarized documents to the Ministry

If you are looking to apply for a visa in Switzerland, you can contact us – we’d be glad to help.