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Have you been searching to know the easiest way in which you can apply for a Switzerland Visa application and entry requirements? If yes then click to know more. Keep reading to follow the guidelines. In this article, you will learn about the requirements, and how to submit your application process.
Situated in western, central, and southern Europe, Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is officially known as the Swiss Confederation and ranks at the top globally, in several metrics of national performance.
The country has an area of 41,285 km2 and a population of 8,508,898. It does not have an official capital, but the city of Bern is its de jure capital. Its two largest cities Zürich and Geneva are global cities and economic centers.
Switzerland is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association; however, it is not part of the European Union. It joined the Schengen Area in 2008 since when on, world travelers can enter its territory with a Schengen visa.
In 2017, Switzerland issued a total of 451,528 uniform Schengen visas from 517,010 visa applications received at Swiss consulates and embassies around the world. The visa rejection rate was 7.25%.
Fun fact: Switzerland has not been involved in any wars since 1815!
Switzerland Entry Requirements
Because of the common travel area of the Schengen Zone, the member states of which have abolished borders for their citizens, if you are an EU/EEA national, you will only need an identification document to enter Switzerland.
Whereas, if you are a non-EU/EEA traveler wishing to visit Switzerland, you will need to present the following, when you show up at the Swiss port of entry:
- A passport or travel document. Valid for at least three more months beyond your planned date of exit from Schengen, and issued within the last 10 years.
- A visa – if you are subject to the Swiss visa regime.
*British passport holders are exempt from the criteria of passport validity and issuance date.
Aside from these documents, the Swiss border officer may ask you a few questions about your trip to Switzerland:
- What is your purpose for visiting Switzerland?
- How long do you intend to stay in Switzerland?
- Where are you going to stay in Switzerland? Etc.
Keep in mind that the border police hold the final decision if you shall be permitted to enter Switzerland or not. If the Swiss border officer concludes that you are no risk for Switzerland, upon checking your documents, you will be permitted to enter Switzerland, and thus the Schengen territory.
Please, make sure that the Swiss border officer stamps your passport when you enter Switzerland. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained in Switzerland.
Who Needs a Visa to Enter Switzerland?
You will need a short-stay visa to enter Switzerland and any other member country of the Schengen zone, if you belong to one of the following categories:
- You are the national of a third-world country that has not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states
- You are the national of a third-world country that has signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but you were previously rejected from entering Switzerland or any other Schengen country.
Please note that these visas permit you to stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. If you need a visa to stay in Switzerland for a longer period, apply for a Swiss National Visa instead.
What Documents Are Required for a Switzerland Visa Application?
As a traveler in need of a visa, you will have to meet several Switzerland visa requirements in order to complete your application. The statutory Switzerland visa requirements are as follows:
- Swiss visa application form. Complete the form with correct information in compliance with the information in the rest of the documents. Here you can easily learn how to fulfill the form without any mistakes!
- Two passport photos. The photos should be identical and comply with the photograph requirements for the Swiss Schengen visa application.
- Your national passport. Valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date, no older than 10 years, and containing at least two blank pages.
- Copies of your previous visas. If you have ever held a visa to Switzerland, the Schengen territory, or another country in the world, provide the embassy/consulate with copies of those visas.
- Schengen travel visa insurance. Purchase travel medical insurance valid for Switzerland and the whole territory of the Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000 for medical emergencies.
- Round-trip Flight Itinerary. A document that shows you have a booked flight, to enter and leave Switzerland. This document should specify flight numbers, dates, and your details.
- Proof of accommodation. I.e. a hotel reservation.
- Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland. You must be able to attest to owning at least 100 CHF or 92.34€/day on your disposition during your stay in Switzerland, while, in case you are a student this amount reduces to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day.
- A cover letter. A personal letter in which you explain why you are applying to visit Switzerland, how long you plan to stay, when will you leave and other details.
Additional Swiss Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status
The additional Switzerland visa requirements depending on your occupational status are as follows:
If employed:
- Employment contract
- Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Leave permission from the employer
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form
If self-employed:
- A copy of your business license
- Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
If a student:
- Proof of enrollment
- No-objection certificate from school or university
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If retired:
- Pension statement of the latest 6 months
If applicable:
- Proof of regular income generated by a property, for the last 6 months
Additional Swiss Visa Requirements for Minors
Minors applying to get a short-stay visa to Switzerland, or parents applying for their minor child to get a visa, will need to complete the following additional Swiss Visa Requirements in their application file:
- Birth certificate of the minor traveling to Switzerland.
- Switzerland application form signed by both parents.
- Family court order. In cases where only one parent has full custody of the child.
- Certified copies of ID/passport of both parents
- If the minor will be traveling alone with another person:
- An original and copy of the accompanying person’s passport page containing the holder’s data, expiry date, a recent photograph, and a valid visa copy.
- A notarized parental authorization to travel to Switzerland, signed by both parents/guardians
