How to obtain a Schengen Visa to Switzerland: easy steps

To visit Switzerland for a short period, non-EU citizens need to obtain a Schengen visa. It allows them to spend 90 days out of a 180-day period.

This article will expound on the application process and documentation needed to acquire a Schengen Visa to Switzerland.

What is a Schengen Visa to Switzerland?

A Schengen visa to Switzerland is a short-term C-type visa that lets its holders enter Switzerland and travel across multiple European nations without needing separate visas. The trip’s purpose may differ — tourism, business, visiting family or friends, short student courses, or other reasons that do not require a long-term stay.

To visit any country in the Schengen Area, non-European Union residents need a Schengen visa. This rule applies extensively across nationalities.

Who needs a Schengen Visa to Switzerland?

Citizens of the EU and EFTA are not required to have a special permit to enter Switzerland. EFTA includes Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. With a visa from any Schengen member state, foreigners do not need a separate tourist visa to enter Switzerland or other Schengen countries. The only requirement is that a visit shouldn’t surpass 90 days within a 180-day timeframe.

Holding any of the listed Swiss residence permits allows foreigners to enter Switzerland or another Schengen country without an additional visa:

• B permit — residence permit;
• C permit — settlement permit;
• L permit — short-term residence permit;
• Ci permit — permit for residents with gainful employment;
• legitimation card from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs.

Countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea have visa-free agreements with Switzerland. Their citizens are not required to have a visa to enter the Schengen Area for stays up to 90 days within 180 days.

Citizens of many countries outside the European Union or European Economic Area need a Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland. For example, if you are a citizen of India, China, Nigeria, or Turkey, you would need to apply for a visa.

You can find detailed information on entry permits on the State Secretariat for Migration website.

Documents for a successful online application to get a Schengen Visa to Switzerland

The essential documents include: 

• completed application form;
• photos 3х4;
• national passport;
• copies of previous visas;
• proof of civil status;
• proof of accommodation, e.g. hotel reservations;
• return flight tickets;
• proof of sufficient finances — applicant attests owning at least CHF 100, or €92.34, per day on disposition during the stay in Switzerland;
• cover letter — a letter explaining why and for how long the traveller will stay in the country;
• travel insurance — with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies;
• residence permit, if applicable.

Travel insurance is mandatory for a Switzerland Schengen visa application. Sufficient health coverage has become an essential criterion in recent years by European Union regulations. Proof of valid international medical coverage is a part of submitting biometric data at application centres such as the Swiss embassy or consulate.

A policy should cover trip cancellation and interruption. If any family member gets sick before travel dates and cancels a trip, they return money for flights and hotel reservations.

You will need extra documents if you travel for purposes other than tourism for up to 90 days.

Additional documents depending on the purpose of visit

Transit	a valid visa for the final country one is travelling to the flight ticket for the final country one is travelling to
Business	employment contract current bank statement for the last 6 months leave permission from the employer Income Tax Return (ITR) form
Study	proof of enrollment no-objection certificate from school or university advertisements
Health treatment	original letter from a local doctor stating the diagnosis with a medical report confirmation from the Swiss hospital stating the agreement to treat patients and the expected duration of treatment with an estimate of costs proof of advance payment of 50 % — receipt from a Swiss hospital
Sports events	original letter from sports association proof of sporting ability, such as CV, world rankings, trophies, an invitation to the national team, national caps, evidence of personal records
Cultural events	evidence of participation in cultural events introductory letter, musician card and proof of musical performances
As a spouse	proof of Swiss citizenship Swiss marriage certificate Swiss family record book
Official visit	the official invitation copy evidence about the purpose of the journey

Where to apply for a Swiss short-stay visa?

The location of the application depends on the visa admission regulations set by the Swiss authorities in your country of residence. Depending on these regulations, you might need to submit documents to one of the following representative bodies of Switzerland in your residing country:

• Embassy of Switzerland;
• a Swiss consulate;
• embassy of another Schengen state.

Another option is to submit documents by filling out the visa application online.

Who can apply for a Schengen visa at the Swiss Embassy, Consulate, or VAC?

You can submit a Switzerland short-stay visa application at a Swiss Embassy, Consulate, or VAC if you are a:

• a citizen of the country from where you are applying.
• a foreign citizen with a permanent or temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.

Applying for a short-stay Swiss visa from a country where you are currently on a visa is not permitted.

How much does it cost to apply for a Swiss visa?

According to the Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and the Visa Code, foreigners pay fees when applying for a Swiss visa.

Category	Fee
Adult	€80
Children aged from 6 to 12	€40
Children aged 6	Free
A family member of an EU or EEA citizen	Free
Holders of diplomatic passports travelling for official purposes	Free
Students and accompanying teachers during a school trip	Free
Researchers travelling to perform scientific research	Free
Citizens of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia	€35

Long-term stays in Switzerland

If you need to remain in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you apply for a residence permit, preceded by a National D-type Visa. This kind of visa caters to individuals who wish to reside, study or work long-term within the European Union member country.

Depending on your reason for moving to Switzerland and obtaining a Swiss residence permit, these are the types of long-stay Swiss visas you can apply for:

1. Switzerland study visa.
2. Switzerland work visa.
3. Switzerland family reunion visa.
4. Switzerland retirement visa.

The C-type visa conditions are largely the same for all Schengen countries, while the requirements for the long-stay D-type visa are specific to Switzerland. The process of obtaining it can take up to several months, and the applications are submitted only in person at the Swiss consulate.

The Cantonal Migration Offices issue residence permits.

How to travel to Switzerland without visas

Visiting Switzerland without a visa can be accomplished through various residency by investment programs offered in European countries. These programs enable individuals to obtain residency by investing, for example, in real estate or government bonds.

Residency by investment programs are available in Greece, Italy, Malta, Portugal, Spain, and other countries. The process of obtaining a residence permit takes 3—6 months. The minimum investment sum is €250,000, as in Portugal and Greece.

Residence permit is usually issued for 1—2 years, while permanent residence is indefinite. Each program leads to citizenship. For example, in Austria, obtaining citizenship in 6 years is possible, and after 5 years of holding a residence permit in Portugal.

Summary

1. The Schengen visa to Switzerland is a short-stay visa allowing foreigners to enter the country and travel across the Schengen area. 
2. Schengen visa is valid for 90 days within a 180-day period.
3. To apply for the visa, you need to complete the application form and gather all necessary documents. Then, schedule an appointment at the Swiss consulate or online. The processing time is typically 15 days.
4. The application fee for an adult is €80 and €40 for a child between 6 and 12 years old. Visas for children under 6 are free of charge.
5. The alternative way to visit Switzerland visa-free is to secure residency in European countries by investment.

Frequently asked questions