A complete overview of Switzerland visa from India

Introduction

Switzerland visa from India is nothing but a Schengen visa. Switzerland, along with 25 other countries, is a Schengen state in Europe. Many of those countries are part of the European Union. Since forming this party, they have removed passports and all other forms of border protection on their shared borders. A holder of a Schengen visa issued by one of the Schengen Region member countries shall be eligible for free travel within the Schengen Area’s entirety, within the conditions of validity and term of the Swiss visa. Different restrictions apply to the same visa issued by the Embassy of Switzerland, depending on the trip’s type and the duration of the region’s stay. The Schengen short-stay visa, which requires travelers to stay for a limited time of 90 days, applies to both the Travel Switzerland Visa and the Enterprise Switzerland visa for Indian citizens.

What is a Switzerland tourist visa from India?

A Switzerland tourist visa for Indian citizen is issued only for tourism, travel, and leisure purposes to persons who want to visit Switzerland. Switzerland provides a predetermined period of time for tourists to remain in the nation. These visas do not allow the applicant to work in the host country or participate in commercial activities. Therefore, if you are traveling for tourist purposes, you must apply for a tourist visa for Switzerland, which is valid for travel periods of less than 90 days. You can move to and stay in Switzerland and all the other 26 Schengen countries with a Schengen visa.

What is a business visa in Switzerland?

A business visa for Switzerland allows the holder to enter Switzerland and engage in business operations, briefly or indefinitely, without entering that country’s workforce. Usually, visitors must demonstrate that they do not earn any revenue from the country. Visa applications from Enterprise Switzerland will be provided for business purposes only for fewer than 90 days. If the applicant wishes to engage in technical practices that are lucrative, even if the job is not paid financially, the applicant may have to apply to Switzerland for a work permit.

What are the Switzerland tourist visa processing time and Switzerland tourist visa fees?

For Switzerland, the visa processing time for a tourist visa from India will be processed within 1 day. Kindly use our visa widget to figure out the Switzerland visa fees of your particular nationality. We additionally add USD 10 for the service fee.

What are the Switzerland visa requirements from India?

The following documents are visa requirements for Switzerland irrespective of which Visa type you are applying for.

Travel document: The applicant’s passport must be valid for a period of at least three months after the expected departure from Switzerland. It should have a total of 2 blank pages, and it must have been written in the last 10 years. Applicants should make no remarks on the front page of the passport.

Switzerland visa form: Applicants must send a fully assembled Switzerland to the applicant Request process for a visa. Applicants must notice that any missing or false information found in the Switzerland visa application could give rise to delays in processing or refusing the application. You can download this Switzerland Visa Application Form in English, and they must fill it out in English only.

Switzerland visa photo size: Applicants include a new, original passport-sized, color photograph with a white backdrop. The Switzerland visa photo should be no more than six months old.

Covering letter: The applicant must send a cover letter to the center, with specifics such as the applicant presenting himself/herself, describing, in brief, the intent of the tour, the length, and the itinerary of the visit.

Travel Medical Insurance: You must have a legitimate medical care policy during your stay in Switzerland. This would cover all potential costs for health purposes, death, critical medical care, or acute hospitalization during your stay, which may force you to return to India. The minimum premium limit should be EUR 30,000, and this insurance policy should cover all Schengen countries. The insurance coverage must be available for the period of the planned stay of the claimant in Switzerland. The applicant can shorten the Swiss Visa’s validity if the insurance policy does not cover the full length of the stay in Switzerland.

Proof of Means of Transport: Applicants need to book their return or round-ticket travel. Evidence of booking flights to various countries, train itinerary, or car rental receipt is required if the applicant wants to fly to several Schengen States. Applicants will note that the tickets do not have to be paid; only the booking receipt must be given as evidence.

Proof of Lodging: The applicant’s hotel reservations, receipt of a holiday home rental, or campus residence reservation is required as confirmation. Evidence of sponsorship and private lodging is required if the applicant wishes to stay with a family member or a friend in Switzerland. If the applicant wants to fly to the several Schengen States, proof of accommodation shall be required in each of them.

Proof of Financial means– The applicant should also have CHF 100 a day of stay in Switzerland. The applicant’s original bank statement showing its expenses in the last three months, properly stamped and signed by the bank authority, or the Indian income tax return for the last two assessment years, is required for the Swiss visa application form. The sponsor can make the bank statement on behalf of the claimant or the travel sponsor. In the case of sponsorship by the claimant, the bank statement should be followed by a signed letter of sponsorship and a signed copy of the sponsor’s passport.

Additionally, where the applicant is employed:

• The current contract of employment
• Copy of the new bank accounts for 6 months at the latest.
• A certificate with No-objection from new boss
• Income Tax Report (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax Withheld from the applicant’s source of salary

Where the applicant is the owner of a business or is self-employed:

• A copy of a company license from them
• Copy of the business bank accounts for 6 months at the latest.
• The company’s tax return on taxes (ITR)

Where the claimant has retired:

• Statement of pension for the previous 6 months
• Evidence of regular income earned over the last 6 months from property or leasing (if any)

Minor Applicant

• When a minor stay with only one parent, except in cases when the parent has primary custody or guardianship of the minor, the Parents shall provide written permission from the public notary of the other parent or guardian.
• If a minor move on his or her own, without a legal guardian, written permission is required, approved by a public notary, either by parents or guardians who have custody of a minor. Copies of the parents’ passports are also required. If this is not the case, Parents must send the applicant’s birth certificate and copies of the parents’ Identification Evidence.
• Both parents and legal guardians must accompany all minors to the Visa Office to sign the application form in front of the VFS officer.

Passport Copy: All Swiss visa applications must contain a full-color photocopy of the applicant’s valid passport. Both pages of the passport must be photocopied and added. If the applicant has valid visas for the Schengen States, the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia given in an old or canceled passport for the last three years, a photocopy of the visa pages and the passport data pages are required.

If applying for a tourist visa for Switzerland from India:

If the applicant is sponsored, an invitation letter with the address and telephone number of the family or company sponsoring the application is required.

• Bank statement for the last 6 months
• Copies of the passport of the respondent
• Certificate from the travel agent verifying that the claimant has booked an organized tour (if any)
• Any other relevant document setting out the applicant’s travel arrangements, including the date and the reason for the visit.

Invitation letter from your host:

• You must write an invitation letter to the person you wish to meet in Switzerland. This guy is going to act as your sponsor. The letter is meant to show that you are welcome to stay with them and that you will not stay in Switzerland unlawfully.
• The letter would include the dates when you will be living with them, as well as the specifics of your friendship. It may also mention that if you cannot pay for yourself financially, your family member/friend will take care of you.
• Your host must have a copy of his/her passport and a letter of invitation.

Evidence of the relationship with the family: If the person you wish to see is a member of your family, you must have evidence of this in your submission. This may be achieved by a marriage certificate or a birth certificate.

Proof that your sponsor will provide you with financial assistance (if applicable):

If the sponsor covers you financially, they will need to offer evidence of that. They will have to do that by sending a copy of their work contract (valid for at least 12 months) and their three most recent payslips. If you don’t receive financial assistance, you need to give evidence of your own profits and ample money.

Documents which show that travel is for tourism purposes:

• You need to include copies of your travel itinerary, including dates and place of your stay, flight numbers, and when you reach and exit Switzerland.
• When you are flying with a travel agent, you must make a reservation with the travel agency. You could also be asked to submit a letter from your tour manager.

If you apply for a Swiss Business Visa:

The invitation letter from the applicant company in Switzerland will be visited and their full correspondence and the tour dates.

• Certificate from your boss that helps you to make a business trip and give specifics of the trip.
• Both the letter of invitation and the letter from the employer must validate the following details:
• Identity of the applicant;
• The purpose of the visit, such as workshops, seminars, training, or business-related activities.
• The time and location of the planned stay of the claimant while in Switzerland.
• Evidence of prior contractual arrangements between the two firms, if those incidents have happened.
• Bank statement for the last 6 months of the business
• Travelers must demonstrate the coverage of the applicant’s expenses during their stay in Switzerland either by the employer or by the host company, which is hosting the applicant, by letter or by invitation.

Letter of invitation from your sponsor (The Swiss company you will visit):

• The letter of invitation must be written by the Swiss company with which your company is associated.
• It has to explain the commercial arrangement between the two firms.
• It must also provide the business’s specifics, the address, the dates that you will be visiting, and the meetings/conferences/training that you will attend whilst you are there.

Your employer’s letter:

• It must provide proof that you are the employer of the organization, state your reason for travel, and that you have permission to go on the trip.
• Your employer’s letter must also mention your role in the corporation, your salary, and the reason why you are leaving for a business trip to Switzerland.
• Other than that, it should also mention the date you are supposed to return.

Expense Coverage:

• If your sponsor pays your costs, they have to mention this in their invitation letter.
• If your company is paying for your trip’s cost, they must also mention this in their note.
• They are also expected to insert bank balances along with their message.

Note:

• The applicant must always ensure that they have legitimate Schengen travel insurance during their stay in Switzerland. The border authorities can ask for proof of valid insurance when you reach the Schengen region or Switzerland.
• All papers should be issued in paper size A4.
• If the documents are not actually in English, they must be followed by accurate English translations.
• Although the Embassy reserves the right to request the original of any document issued during Switzerland’s visa processing, please send only photocopies of all documents. Bear in mind to bring the initial papers to the Visa Center at the time of submission.
• Visitors should remember that the Swiss Embassy has the right to seek supplementary documentation or the applicant’s personal presence for an interview in exceptional circumstances.
• The application can be denied if the applicant submits insufficient documents or refuses to appear for a special Swiss visa interview.

How to apply for a Schengen visa for Switzerland from India?

It is quite a simple step for applying for a visa application for Switzerland from India. Kindly follow the below steps carefully:                  

• Choose the departure and arrival country, select the required visa type, enter your name, and click ‘CLICK TO START. ‘

• Verify the visa fee and terms and conditions on the next page.

• On the third page, enter your basic details in the respective field and upload the necessary documents (you can upload the documents at a later stage also).

• After that, review and confirm the information of your form, then proceed with the payment. We support all types of cards for payment.

• You will receive the invoice and a confirmation mail with a link in your registered e-mail id.

• Click the link, complete the remaining form (you can also upload the document at this stage), and submit it for processing.

• Once the visa process is completed, click2visas will send your visa related documents to your e-mail.

Note: Only the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi will review all applications. Please notice that applications must be sent and received exclusively by an approved agent or in person. This is because the Swiss Visa Application Centre in New Delhi cannot accept and Switzerland visa process applications submitted via courier or postal services.

To apply for your Short Stay Visitor or Business Visa to Switzerland, please make a Switzerland visa appointment at the visa application center. For Indian people, this is a mandatory move.

What’s the Switzerland Visa Tracking?

If you have submitted your application using online submission, please visit this page to see your visa status to Switzerland. You’ll have to fill in the following details there:

• Reference Number
• Birth Date
• Captcha
• It will then be shown your visa processing status on your phone.
• You will pick up your passport from the corresponding VAC office after your Switzerland Visa application is accepted. Your passport must be obtained by yourself. Please ensure that, during passport processing, you carry the receipt given to you on the day of your appointment.

• The records or passports of the claimant shall not be turned over to third parties, except that the following individuals are going to collect:
• Immediate Family Member, such as the applicant’s parents, children, or spouse
• An individual collecting a passport on behalf of government authorities, as indicated on the Government’s head letter.
• Red Carpet Members of the claimant, if approved by letterhead of the Company.

If any of the individuals listed above come to collect a passport, they must hold any of the following documents:

• Initial Government ID card number
• Initial evidence of identity
• Initial letter of authorization from the claimant

May I extend my Switzerland Schengen visa?

Yeah, you can expand your Schengen visa, but only in rare situations where new details and special reasons emerge after joining Switzerland.

How would I request a Swiss Visa from India?

You will first need to know which Switzerland visa for Indians you need, based on your intention, the duration of your journey, and how many times you intend to return. For a journey of up to 90 days, the Schengen Regular Visa is a short-stay visa, with longer stays, including a job, research, or family reunion visa. Multiple entry visas are also valid if you intend to fly to the Schengen region daily.

You must apply for a visa no longer than six months and no less than 15 days before your travel. You will also need to complete your application, acquire all the paperwork you need for your Swiss Visa, and hold an appointment with a consulate, embassy, or visa application center. Visa fees are waived for children under the age of six, those going to Europe for study purposes, scholars, those under the age of 25 travelings with humanitarian organizations, and those interested in sporting or cultural activities.

Do Indian nationals require a Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland?

Yes. Even if Switzerland is not a member of the Eu, it is a member of the Schengen region of countries that have abolished border controls between borders, requiring a visa to fly to Switzerland if you apply from India.

May my visa make it possible for me to fly to other European countries?

Yes, given that they are one of the 25 other countries within the Schengen region.

What’s going to do if I overstay my Swiss Visa?

You are likely to face a fine or deportation and a ban from entering the Schengen area-not just Switzerland-for a specified period of time.

What should I do if my Swiss Visa is refused?

If your visa is rejected, you have the right to appeal to the Schengen Member State authorities where you have applied.

May I obtain Swiss Travel Insurance?

One of the most common criticisms from visitors in Switzerland is the high average cost of living there. This covers the expense of day-to-day items like drinking water, groceries, and hotels. You can only guess what the cost of stuff like health insurance and legal procedures will be! This is exactly where and when travel insurance comes in handy. Travel insurance for Switzerland guarantees that none of your arrangements is compromised, as it extends to you in any unexpected cases. This includes, but is not limited to:

Medical assistance: the Travel Policy will provide any medical assistance needed by you overseas. Suppose you tried skiing or hiking and got injured during the operation. The travel insurance would cover the price of the emergency help you need on an urgent basis.

Loss of Passport: Imagine that you were at Lake Geneva in Switzerland and that you misplaced your sling bag with your passport! This could be the source of a lot of worries. However, your travel insurer is going to have your back and protect you for the same thing!

Check-in Luggage Delay: Imagine this. You fly to Switzerland with two packs, followed by a flight to Barcelona. However, it’s only as you arrive in your checked-in baggage that doesn’t show up, and it’s postponed for a day. In all situations, your insurance policies would protect and reimburse you.

Emergencies: Spending money on holiday is one of the hardest things to do! In some situations, though, travel insurance will pay and protect you by supplying you with emergency cash.

Trip Delay/Abandonment: In the event of cancellation, departure, or changing dates due to any unexpected conditions, the travel policies will cover any non-refundable travel costs, such as accommodation and airline bookings.

Is there any age requirement for applying for a Swiss Tourist Visa?

Anyone may apply for a visitor visa, but those under 18 will have to show their parents a NOC.

Do students have a different visa requirement for a Swiss visa application?

Students going to Switzerland for review or research are expected to display relevant documentation and information about the location they will be studying or offering their exams. Students must hold a NOC letter from their guardians, a photo ID of their parents/guardian (Pan Card/Passport/Driving License), and a student ID card.

What’s the immigration policy for retired people?

They are expected to have evidence of retirement along with other records.

Are the Switzerland visa requirements from India separate for different types of visas?

Yes, the criteria for the job, research, business, and visitor visas are distinct. You’ve got to buy Visa as per the Tour Agenda.

What if I don’t get a visa at that time?

If you do not even have a visa within a given timeframe, it is recommended that you check your visa on Click2visas or get in contact with our visa experts.

Is biometric data mandatory for tourists visiting Switzerland?

In India, both Diplomatic and Consular Schengen missions have launched the Visa Information System (VIS). Applicants applying for a Schengen visa would need to testify in person to supply biometric details (fingerprints and photograph). These biometric data will be accurate for 5 years, and travelers who have already submitted their biometric data once will not need to apply their biometric data for the next 5 years directly. Minors of 12 are exempt from this procedure.

Do I need to have forex in Switzerland?

It is advised that you exchange the currency of your nation to the euro. Thomas Cook offers excellent currency swap options for travel around the world.

What is the difference between a long-stay visa and a short-stay visa for Switzerland?

Switzerland’s short-term visa enables you to fly and stay in Switzerland – for tourism, business, or business reasons – for up to 90 days. The short-stay visa is sometimes called the Schengen visa.

On the other hand, long-stay visas allow you to fly to and stay in Switzerland for a period of more than 90 days. The long-stay visa for Switzerland is also considered the National Visa.

What’s the earliest I can apply for a business visa to Switzerland?

The earliest possible date for submitting a visa application is 3 months before the date on which you plan to fly to Switzerland for work.

What if I cancel my business visa to apply for Switzerland mid-way? Do I get a refund?

The charge shall not be refunded if the application is refused by the Government of Switzerland or revoked by the claimant for any reason whatsoever.

May I apply for a visa at the Swiss Consulate General in Mumbai?

The Consulate General of Switzerland offers no visa services in Mumbai.

Do I need to apply for a Swiss Tourist Visa?

Nationals of Schengen-area countries do not, of course, require a tourist visa for Switzerland. EU or EEA residents are also not required to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland.

What are the application measures for Swiss tourists and Visitors Visas?

The protocol for applying for a Swiss visa is as follows:

• Book a meeting with the Swiss Embassy/Consulate in your country.
• Download and fill in the Swiss Tourist Visa Application section.
• Collect all the required Swiss Tourist Visa documents.
• Send the application in person to the relevant Swiss embassy/consulate.
• Please enter the visa interview.
• Charge tourist visa fees to Switzerland.
• Wait before the Visitor Visa has been approved.
• If your Swiss tourist application is approved, you can get a visa sticker on your passport that indicates how long the visa is valid. You will then be cleared to fly to Switzerland.

• If your application is refused, your letter of refusal will include the reasons for your refusal. It also tells you whether you are entitled to appeal to the ruling and how to do so.

Why Would I need a business visa from Switzerland?

You will need to apply for a work visa from Switzerland if you wish to fly to Switzerland for business purposes. You can check whether you have to apply for this visa in advance before you begin your Swiss business visa application. Whether you need a business visa in Switzerland depends on your nationality. Since Switzerland is a part of the Schengen region, it is free and visa-free for all citizens of a Schengen-area country to travel there.

Other classes of persons who do not require a visa to enter Switzerland include EU or EEA citizens.

Besides, citizens of some non-EU, EEA, or Schengen countries can enter Switzerland without a visa to apply for a visa.

What are Business Visa Application Measures for Switzerland?

You may apply your application for a Swiss business visa to the Swiss embassy in your country. If your country still doesn’t have a Swiss embassy or consulate, you must apply to the embassy/consulate of the Schengen country to that you have applied for a visa. The application process for a business visa from Switzerland is as follows:

• Book a company visa appointment for Switzerland. You can’t just arrive at the Swiss embassy/consulate.
• Upload, fill in, and sign the company application form for a Swiss visa.
• Collect the documents required for a business visa to Switzerland.
• In-person, turn up to the Swiss embassy/consulate to apply for your application.
• Specify the visa interview.
• Charge the premium for Swiss corporate visas.
• Wait for it to process the submission.