Visa Information for Switzerland

Find each detail of visa rules and visa information including business visa and tourist visa, check-out the below written content.
NOTE: As the peak season has started, travel agents need to take an appointment through VFS helpline to submit the application. Switzerland is a Schengen State and has some specific visa guidelines. Kindly go through the following note: Sweden is a Schengen State and has some specific visa guidelines. Kindly go through the following note: Schengen Territory: The citizens of India can get short stay visa for a period that ranges from one to ninety days, which will be valid for all countries of the Schengen Territory i.e. Austria, Benelux (Belgium, Netherlands, Luxembourg), Denmark, Czech Republic, Estonia, France, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Greece, Iceland, Latvia, Italy, Lithuania, Norway, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden & Switzerland. The Schengen Convention is an innovative initiative taken for freedom of circulation of people. According to the same, foreigners having a valid stay permit delivered by one of the Schengen states can leave and later re-enter the Schengen Territory without taking visa again, but with a condition that they have a valid passport along with relevant travel document and a multiple entry visa. However, application for visas have to be submitted with the relevant Consular authorities, which are to be determined according to the following criteria

1. If the applicant intends to stay in one country only, the application should be submitted at the Representation of the same country.
2. If the applicant intends to travel to more than a few member States, the application should be submitted at the Representation of the country where the main point of travel lies mentioning the duration of stay.
3. If the main destination cannot be determined, the competent Consular office for processing the application will be one of the countries of the first port of entry into the Schengen Territory.
4. The long term visas are still subject to the Law of the country of destination. They must be applied for at the Consular Authorities of the concerned member of the states.

Tourist Visa

• The applicant should submit their Visa application (completed and duly signed by the holder of the passport submitted).

• Indian Passport should have a validity of at least three months beyond the date of planned stay with two blank pages. Passports valid for over 10 years won't be accepted as the main required travel document.

• Applicant's previous passport, if available.

• Assigned copy of the valid visas (if any).

• Absolutely clear Xerox copy of the first and last page of the passport.

• Two recent passport size colour photographs (35 x 40 mm in width) with a plain light-colored background, close-up 70-80% of the photograph. The photograph should be taken with a digital camera and must be high quality colour and printed on photo-quality paper. One photograph should be pasted (not staple) on the visa application form. On the other hand, the second one should be enclosed with a paper clip to the form (should not be pasted or stapled). Applicants must note that scanned and color photocopies won't be accepted.

• The application form should be enclosed with a covering letter on a business letterhead from his / her employer / company mentioning his / her position and the length of his / her service and no objection certificate (NOC) for the planned trip to Switzerland / Schengen countries, giving the details of the dates and the purpose of the trip.

• If an applicant is submitting the applications of his / her family, then all applications should be attached with a copy of the covering letter.

• Proof of sufficient financial means and evidence of accommodation in Switzerland/Schengen Countries (e.g. hotel confirmation, receipt of paid package tour, bookings of the entire stay). A photocopy of the confirmed return ticket to India or confirmation of reservation, should also be attached with the application.

• Visas for UK and U.S.A to be obtained first (in case) the applicant visits any of these countries before Switzerland / Schengen Countries.

• Applicants will be required to submit the personal & company's Income Tax Returns statements for last 2 years

• In addition, latest 3 months' personal & company's bank statements should have the bank seal and attached with the application form.

• Business registration certificate / Partnership Deed / Proof of proprietorship.

• For employees:

• The latest 3 months' salary slips and salary bank account statements with bank seal are required to be sent along with the visa application form.

• For children (under 18 years of age) travelling alone, an authorization letter signed by both parents with their passports or a notarized affidavit signed by both parents is required.

• A copy of the identity card and no objection certificate from the school, institute or college for the intended trip to Switzerland giving the dates of the trip.

• The original marriage certificate (along with a photocopy of the same) issued by the Registrar of Marriages of the concerned State, duly legalized by the competent State Home Ministry or names of spouses endorsed on the passports.

• If the applicant have been refused a visa by an Embassy or High Commission in the past 2 years: the Refusal notice or a written explanation about reason for trip and refusal should be submitted.

• Applicants must obtain overseas Medical Insurance policy with a minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro per person. The policy should provide coverage to all expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and / or emergency hospital treatment. One must note that the insurance policy should cover the entire stay in Schengen territory.

• Applicants who intends to apply for a six months or one year multiple entry visa are not obliged to provide a 365 (180) day coverage. It will be enough to submit an insurance policy covering the first journey. Moreover, a declaration for covering further journeys accordingly needs to be filled and signed by the applicant.

• Some of the approved Indian Travel Insurance Companies offering Travel Medical Insurance for Schengen Visa are:

• Apollo Munich for the age group of 6 months to 70 years.

• Bajaj Allianz for the age group of 6 months to 70 years.

• Chola MS for the age group of 0 month to 70 years.

• Future Generali for the age group of 6 months to 55 years.

• HDFC Ergo for the age group of 3 months to 70 years.

• ICICI Lombard for the age group of 3 months to 51 years.

• IFFCO Tokio for the age group of 3 months to 70 years.

• National for the age group of 6 months to 60 years (in Schengen Plan to 80 years).

• New India Assurance Company for the age group of 0 month to 60 years.

• Reliance for the age group of 3 months to 70 years.

• Royal Sundaram for the age group of 3 months to 70 years.

• Star Health and Allied Insurance for the age group of 6 months to 70 years.

• Tata/AIG for the age group of 6 months to 55 years.

• Oriental Insurance Company for the age group of 6 months to 60 years.

• United India Insurance Company for the age group of 0 month to 65 years.

• Universal Sompo for the age group of 0 month to 70 years.

• The Visa Processing time will take a minimum duration of 7 to 10 working days.

• The visa is processed through VFS in New Delhi.

• For visitors: Besides, the above mentioned documents, an Invitation Letter by the Host in Switzerland giving the name of the Applicant/ (s), the duration of their stay and taking guarantee of expenses, should be mentioned. A copy of the Host's Swiss passport or (if he / she is not a Swiss) Residence Permit and Indian passport (with copy of first & last page) should also be directly sent to the Embassy by fax. (Fax No. 91-11-26870652).

• For Family Visit: A Guarantee form, issued by the Embassy should be sent to the Sponsor in Switzerland. He / she needs to approach the Cantonal Police for Foreigners for the visa. If approved, the Authorities will send the approval directly to the Embassy. A copy of the same would also be sent to the Sponsor. Visa is issued according to the confirmation of entry and exit on the air ticket and as per the valid neighboring visas. The visa processing time can take up to 3 working days.

• For Honeymoon Couples: The original Marriage Certificate issued by the Registrar of Marriages of the concerned State and duly legalized by the competent State Home Ministry and Ministry of External Affairs is required. Otherwise, the names of spouses should be endorsed in the passports. The Wedding Invitation Card along with 5 marriage photographs with couple and family (will be returned) are also to be enclosed with the visa application.

• For Events: An Invitation by the Event Host in Switzerland giving the Name of the Applicant, the duration of his/ her stay and guaranteeing to accept the expenses (if it be the case) is required. One copy of the invitation is to be attached with application form and another should be directly sent to the Embassy by fax by the Invitee in Switzerland.

• Please Note:

• Children under the age of 6 years are exempted from the payment of visa fee.

• Students interview / Language Gradation is charged INR 5200/- (in addition to visa fee).

• Postal / Referral fee of INR 400/- will be charged for certain visa applications i.e. student, dependent, formal decision etc. (in addition to visa fee).

• Note:

• VFS Service Charge of INR 917- (inclusive of service tax & education cess) would be payable in cash. Applicants are informed that this fee is non-refundable.

• The courier charge for the optional service is INR. 300/-.

• Applicants applying at Chennai, Bangalore, Cochin & Puducherry Centers require to pay courier charge, which will include two way courier charges pertaining to the transfer of visa applications to New Delhi and sending back the passports for delivery to the preferred address of the visa applicants or to the respective regional VFS Visa Application Centers in the respective cities.

• >> INR 448/- : Up to 4 family members.

• >> INR 896/- : Up to 8 family members.

• Note:

• New Delhi: All Visa fee and Service charges should be paid in cash only.

Adults / Minors upto 1 Year is Rs. 5100
Adults / Minors upto 2 Years is Rs. 5100 Adults / Minors upto 3 Years is Rs. 5100 Children between the age of 6-12 years is Rs. 3000