Switzerland Visa for Indians: Types, Requirements & Fees

Switzerland is known for its exquisite and scenic beauty. It never fails to amaze and inspire visitors with its natural wonders. It is known for its picturesque villages amidst high mountains and top of the line watches and chocolates. Switzerland shares its borders with France, Germany, Italy, Austria and Liechtenstein. This makes it an especially attractive country to visit. Switzerland is unique because it is great for tourism, work and business. Switzerland offers several visas. This article is about the details of the Switzerland visa for Indians. 

Types of Switzerland Visas for Indians

Short Stay Visas

• Business Visa
• Incentive Tour Visa
• Students for upto 90 days Visa
• Tourist Visa
• Visitor Visa
• Work permit for upto 120 days in 12 months Visa

Long Stay Visas

• Family Reunification Visa
• Students for more than 90 days
• Work permit for more than 120 days

Common Documents Required for Most Visas

1. Valid national passport :

Issued within the last 10 years and with at least 3 months validity after the scheduled return, with at least two blank pages.

Handwritten passports and passports with observations regarding the front page (bio data) cannot be accepted.

2. Passport size pictures :

• White background, not older than 6 months (size 35 – 40 mm in width, not copied or scanned picture).
• 1st picture pasted on the application – 2nd picture has to be clipped on the last page of the passport, stapled or pinned pictures cannot be accepted. 

3. Visa application form :

Completed, signed by the applicant and, if applicable, authorization of third person.

4. Previous passport/s :

If any, bound together with a rubber band, not stapled.

Photo Specifications:

• Please provide two recent passport size pictures, not older than 6 months (size 35 – 40 mm in width, no copy or scanned picture). The photographs should be in colour and:
• Taken against a light background (white or off-white) so that features are distinguishable and contrast against the background.
• Clear share quality and with the face in focus.
• Printed on normal photographic paper (camera print).
• Full face, non-smiling [without sunglasses, a hat/cap or other head covering, unless the applicant wears such items because of their religious belief or ethnic background].
• Please stick the Photograph on the Visa Application Form.

Short stay visa for Switzerland from India 

What is a Schengen Short Stay Visa ?

The Schengen short stay visa allows transit through or stay in the entire Schengen territory for of 90 days in any 180 day period.

Validity of Passport

• The applicant must present a valid travel document such as a passport
• the validity of the passport must extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States (or, in the case of several visits, after the last intended date of departure from the territory of the Member States).
• It must contain at least two blank pages and shall have been issued within the previous 10 years.

Visa Fee

• Applicants need to pay a visa fee of 80 Euros
• Children from the age of six years and below the age of 12 years shall pay a visa fee of EUR 40

Possible Responses to Application:

• Visa applied for is granted.
• Further documentation is requested.
• Applicant is requested to appear for a personal interview.
• The application is rejected.

When to Submit

• Short stay visa applications cannot be submitted more than 180 days in advance before the intended date of travel.
• They must be submitted at least 15 calendar days prior to the proposed date of travel.

Business Visa for Switzerland from India 

The business visa application is for when you are traveling for business purposes. This visa is given for a travel period of less than 90 days.

This visa will be issued for business purpose only. This is for gainful professional activities (even if the work is not financially rewarded) you have to apply for a work permit.

Visa Fees

The adult Visa 6900 INR or 80 Euros

Documents Required:

The following are in addition to the common required documents from above.

Invitation letter from the business partner in Switzerland :

• With the inviter’s complete details: full name, address, email address and telephone number
• Original or copy
• signed & stamped
• mentioning the invitee details
• the dates and purpose of the trip with detailed schedule of the business meetings or training (daily schedule)

Travel Insurance

Please refer to the list of approved Indian travel insurances. The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory.

Flight reservation

Must include the names of all the travelers.

Proof of financial status

All documents have to be originals, in format A4, with stamp and signature of Bank.

If Employed

• Proof of employment: employment contract & last 3 months salary slips & last 3 months salary bank account statements.
• Personal ITR (only ITR-V, Indian Income Tax Return Verification Form or Acknowledgement is accepted) for the last 2 assessment years.

If self-employed and/or company owner:

• Business registration certificate / GST Registration with annex A & B / Partnership Deed / Proof of proprietorship, or other proof of ownership.
• Last 3 months personal & business bank account statements.
• Company’s & personal ITR (only ITR-V, Indian Income Tax Return Verification Form or Acknowledgement is accepted) for the last 2 assessment years.

 If Retired :

• Personal pension bank statement for the last 3 months.
• Proof of regular income generated by ownership of property or business.

Processing Time

• Applications cannot be submitted more than 180 days in advance before the proposed date of travel. 
• Applications shall be decided on within 15 working days of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible in accordance with Article 19. 

Incentive tour visa for Switzerland from India 

Visa Fees

The adult visa costs 6900 INR or 80 Euros

For children between 6 – 12 Years it costs 3450 INR 40 Euros

Incentive groups (with a minimum of 10 applicants):

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland via E-Mail at least one month before the intended departure date and provide the following basic information about the group:

• travel date
• itinerary
• expected number of applicants
• responsible travel agency
• sponsoring company

You will receive a reply from the incentive team with all further instructions for the incentive visa process.

Please send your request to: [email protected]

Processing Time

• Applications cannot be submitted more than 180 days in advance before the proposed date of travel. 
• Applications shall be decided on within 15 working days of the date of the lodging of an application which is admissible in accordance with Article 19.

Student visa for upto 90 days for Switzerland from India 

This visa is for students studying in Switzerland. It is given for a travel period of less than 90 days.

Visa Fees

In general the application is free of charge. There might be some exceptions.

Tourist visa for Switzerland from India 

Tourist visa application is applicable in case you are traveling for tourism purposes. This visa is given for travel period of less than 90 days

Fees

• The adult visa is 6900 INR or 80 Euros.
• For children between 6 – 12 Years is 3450 INR or 40 Euros.

Visitor visa for Switzerland from India

The visitor visa is for when you are traveling to visiting family or friends. This visa is given for a duration of less than 90 days.

• The adult visa is 6900 INR or 80 Euros
• For children between the ages of 6 – 12 Years it is 3450 INR or 40 Euros

In addition to the common required documents

Personal Cover Letter

Original letter with travel plan.

Introduction Letter

• Original letter has to be on a business letterhead from the employer/company.
• The letter has to be signed and stamped by HR or directorate mentioning your position and the duration of your service.
• “No objection statement” regarding the planned trip to Switzerland/Schengen States.
• The dates and purpose of the trip.

Invitation letter from the host in Switzerland

• With full details of the inviter; full name, address, Email-ID and telephone number.
• The invitation letter has to be in original or a clear copy, dated and signed, mentioning names of all the invitees, the duration of stay, the relationship and the purpose of the invitation, along with a copy of the passport or identity card, OCI and residential permit.

Travel Insurance

Please refer to the list of approved Indian travel insurances. The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory.

Flight reservation

• With names of all travelers.
• If applicable proof of intra-Schengen flight, train itinerary or car rental.

Proof of financial status :

 All documents have to be originals, in format A4, with stamp and signature of Bank.

Students above 16 year old :

Copy of the student college ID card and an introduction letter of the School/College/University.

Children under 18 years old, not travelling with both parents :

written consent letter of the other, non-travelling parent or legal guardian, certified by public notary.

Visa fee:

• The fee for adults is 80 Euros
• For children between 6 and 12 years old it is 40.00 Euros.
• It is free for children under 6 years old.

Work permit for upto 120 days in 12 months for Switzerland from India

This visa is for gainful professional activities up to 120 days in 12 months (this term is applicable even if the work is not financially rewarded)

• direct submission of the request at the competent cantonal migration authority in Switzerland (usually through the employer, respectively the inviting company) (time frame approx. 8 – 12 weeks) or
• submission of the application at the Swiss representation abroad – the application will be forwarded to the competent cantonal migration authorities for decision (time frame approx. 8 – 12 weeks)

Fees

• The adult visa is 6900 INR and 80 Euro
• Children Under 6 Years are Exempt from paying visa fees.

Documents Required 

Checklist for Schengen or National Visa: Work permit up to 120 days

Visa Application has to be submitted personally at the Visa Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri,

New Delhi – 110 021. To schedule an appointment with the Embassy, please visit the following link.

Visa Application

The visa application form is free of charge and can be downloaded from the website.

Documents Required

Submit 3 application forms and 2 sets of the required documents as specified:

In addition to the common documents required:

3 Visa application form :

Completed, signed by the applicant and, if applicable, authorization of third person.

Introduction letter from the employer :

• 2 x (1 original + 1 copy) covering letter on a business letterhead from the employer / company mentioning your position,
• duration of your service, the dates and purpose of the trip and if your expenses are being covered by the employer.

Invitation letter from the business partner in Switzerland :

• 2 x (1 original + 1 copy)
• With full details of the inviter: full name, address, Email-ID and telephone number.
• Mentioning the invitee details, the dates and purpose of the trip

Travel Insurance :

Please refer to the list of approved Indian travel insurances:

• Minimum coverage of 30,000 Euro / 50,000 USD / 50,000 CHF per person.
• The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory.

2 copies of the proof of financial status

Visa fee

For adults the fee is 80 Euros

Processing Time

The decision is taken by the competent cantonal migration authority in Switzerland and takes approx. 8 -12 weeks.

Long Stay Visa

Work visa for more than 120 days for Switzerland from India 

From 20 January 2014 onwards, the procedure for obtaining an authorization for a work visa must be initiated by the prospective employer through the channel of the competent cantonal authorities in Switzerland.

The cantonal procedure must be finalized and a positive decision must have been taken, before a visa request can be submitted at the Swiss representation abroad. In such cases a copy of the document:

Required Documents

• Ermächtigung zur visumerteilung (einreiseerlaubnis)
• Autorisation habilitant les représentations suisses à délivrer un visa
• Autorizzazione per il rilascio del visto d’entrata, alle rappresentanze svizzere

as issued by the canton should be submitted together with the:

• original passport
• two passport size photographs
• not older than 6 months
• a copy of the first and last page of the passport and the visa fee.

 A visa application form is not required.

Fees

The adult visa is 6900 INR and 80 Euros

In addition to the common required documents.

• Copy of the authorization letter to enter Switzerland.
• 2 photocopies of the 1st page (biodata) and the last page of the passport.

Visa fee :

• The fee for adults is 80.00 Euros.
• A national ’’D’’ Visa will be issued.
• Fingerprints are not necessary.

Processing Time

The decision is taken by the competent cantonal migration authority in Switzerland and takes approx. 8 -12 weeks. If the authorization has already been obtained, the processing time for your application can be up to 5 working days.

Students For More Than 90 Days

Application for a student visa has to be submitted personally at the Visa Section, Embassy of Switzerland, Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi – 110 021.

Fees

In general the application is free of charge; however, there might be some exceptions.

In addition to the common required documents:

3 x Visa application forms :

•  Completed, all 3 forms signed by the applicant and, if applicable, authorization for third person.
• If the applicant is a minor: visa application signed by legal guardian and if applicable, authorization of third person.
• (Proving the custody of a minor child: divorce papers, death certificate etc.).
• Clear photocopies of valid UK, USA, or CAN visas (if any).
• Photocopies of the 1st page (bio data) and last page of the passport.

Personal cover letter :

Signed by the student and mentioning :

The reason for pursuing studies in Switzerland.

Future plans: professional development intended by the student after having finished his/her studies in Switzerland.

Explanation on how the student is going to benefit from his/her studies in the future.

• A confirmation that the student will leave Switzerland after the completion of the studies.
• Curriculum Vitae : 2 x copies (1 original + 1 copy).
• Acceptance / confirmation / registration letter from the school, university, etc…
• Proof of payment of the Swiss school/university, etc. entrance fees (with relevant bank statement), if applicable.

Proof of academic degree :

• Original + 2 sets of colored copies of academic degrees Secondary School Examination, Senior Secondary School
• Certificate Examination and University Certificate without any stamps such as “True Copy”, “Notary”, etc. and if applicable, work certificates.
• English language certificates such as TOEFL or IELTS is mandatory. German, French or Italian language certificates if available.

Financial Status :

• 1 original + 2 copies of financial status.
• Written confirmation letter of the sponsor that he/she covers all the costs and copy of his/her passport (first and last page). Please explain distinctly the origin of the funds (loan with bank letter/family fortune/salary) and what is the relationship with the student.
• A solvency proof of the sponsor (Personal ITR: only ITR-V; Indian Income Tax Return Verification Form or Acknowledgement is accepted) for the last 2 assessment years & bank account statement for the last three months, in format A4, with stamp and signature of Bank.

Visa fee :

Free of charge (in special cases –for ex. PhD application- the visa fee is 80 Euros)

Processing time:

Visa applications for the purpose of study will be transmitted for decision to the competent Swiss immigration authority where the applicant intends to reside. The Embassy is only allowed to issue an entry visa upon receipt of a positive decision or authorization.

Please note that the Embassy might be instructed by the School / University / the deciding cantonal authority to ask for additional documents.

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