Switzerland Tourist visa

Required Documents for Switzerland Schengen Visa

Documents for a Swiss visa application must be completed or translated into German, French, or Italian.

• Valid passport
  • At least 2 blank pages
  • With the applicant’s signature
  • Not more than 10 years old
  • Valid for at least 3 months after the expiration of the requested visa
  • Previous passport, if applicable
• Passport-sized photos
  • Size 3.5 x 4.5 cm
  • Plain white background
  • Taken within the past 6 months
  • Forward-facing with facial features visible and clear
• Completed application form
• Biometric data (Fingerprints)
• Switzerland Schengen Visa fee
• Documents pertinent to your trip
  • Travel Itinerary or plan
  • Proof of return to the country of residence or forward ticket to another country
  • Reason for travel to Switzerland
  • Flight reservations
  • Proof of financial means (bank statements over the last 3-month period, personal properties, and/or other assets)
  • Proof of accommodations (with booking reference number, location, and contact number of the hotel)
• Travel medical insurance
  • Valid through the entire visa period
  • Valid in all Schengen countries
  • Minimum coverage of 30,000 EUR must be purchased
  • Insurance conditions such as validity, duration, and extent of your coverage to be clearly stated on the confirmation letter or insurance document
• Employment letter with the following information:
  • Name and address of employer
  • Nature of employment
  • Starting date of employment
  • Salary
  • Purpose of travel
  • Duration of time off from work for travel
• Scans (copies) of:
  • Personal-ID page of passport.
  • Older Schengen visas (if relevant).
  • Residence permit (if relevant).
• Applicants below the age of 18 are required to submit the following additional requirements:
  • Copy of birth certificate
    • If the minor applicant is adopted, adoption documents are required
    • If the minor applicant's parents are divorced, divorce papers are required
    • If the minor applicant's parents are deceased, death certificates are required
  • Letter of consent from both parents or legal guardians
  • Passport copies of both parents or legal guardians
• It may also be necessary to submit supplementary documents in relation to your travel visa application.

Switzerland Schengen Visa Fees

The standard fee for the application of a Swiss Schengen visa is 80 EUR. However, there are particular applicants who are exempted from fees, such as most student visas and visas for children below the age of 6. Applicants will probably have to pay a separate, non-refundable service payment with their application.

Switzerland Visa Application Steps

• Step 1: Prepare all the required documents.
• Step 2: Select “Tourism” as the reason for travel on the visa application form.
• Step 3: Decide the number of entries needed to Switzerland or the Schengen area.
• Step 4: Fill out the application form.
  • There are different ways to access Schengen visa applications depending on the Swiss Consulate or visa processing center. Access Switzerland’s visa application system portal and select the country where you are a resident or citizen to know the application steps. This will dictate whether your application should be done:
    • Online through the Switzerland Schengen visa application
    • Through a Swiss consulate or embassy
    • Through a consulate of another Schengen state representing the interests of a Swiss consulate
    • Through a visa processing center
  • If you need to apply through a Swiss consulate or embassy, you should directly contact them to know the visa application procedures.
• Step 5: Schedule a visa appointment, if applicable.
  • Applicants from certain countries can schedule an appointment online, through this link. Just select the country where you are a legal resident and instructions will follow if online appointment scheduling is available. If not, contact the Swiss Consulate or visa processing center for an appointment.
• Step 6: Submit your Switzerland Schengen visa application.
  • Note: Applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the date of travel but not earlier than 6 months before the date of travel.
  • Generally, applications must be submitted personally to the Swiss Consulate or visa processing center. However, there may be a few differences in the submission procedures.
  • Alternatively, applications may be submitted without prior appointment during normal operating hours.
  • Applicants will likely be required to submit their fingerprints (biometric data). Children below the age of 12 are exempted from fingerprint data collection.
  • Applicants may also be asked to come back on another date for an interview regarding their trip.
• Step 7: Pay the visa application fee.

When to Apply

Visa applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the travel date but no earlier than 6 months before the travel date.

Where to Apply for a Swiss Visa

Applications should be submitted by mail at either a Swiss consulate or embassy or a visa application center that is connected with Switzerland.

In countries without any Swiss consulate, applications may be submitted through a Schengen state consulate representing the interests of a Swiss consulate.

Applications should be submitted only in the country of citizenship or residence.

Swiss Visa Processing Time

Generally, it takes approximately 10 to 15 days to process Swiss Schengen visa applications. However, in some cases it might take longer.

For approved visa applications:

Applicants must ensure that the information on the visa is complete and valid upon collection.

Applicants who have received their Schengen Visa for Switzerland should remember the following things:

• Inform the Swiss Consulate or visa application center of any change to your itinerary after submission is completed.
• The approval of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry upon arrival to Switzerland or other countries in the Schengen area.
• Additional documents pertaining to your financial means or accommodation may still be required to gain entry to Switzerland or other Schengen areas.

For denied Swiss visa applications:

If your application for a Swiss Schengen visa was rejected, you have the right to appeal the decision within 30 days.

The appeal process begins by picking up the standard-issued visa refusal form which also has the details of the reason for the rejection and the procedures of the appeal process.

Appeals should be in writing in either German, French, or Italian and should indicate the justification for submitting the appeal.

The applicant can submit the appeal or appoint someone else to submit the appeal on his behalf.

A non-refundable fee of 200 CHF must be paid for the appeal to be processed.

The appeal and a copy of the refusal should be sent to the following address:

State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
Quellenweg 6
3003 Bern-Wabern

The Administrative court’s decision is deemed final and is not subject to further appeal.