If there’s just that one place that is on everyone’s places to go in my lifetime list, it would probably be Switzerland. Barring Bollywood’s obsession with shooting their romantic songs across the green pastures of Switzerland, it is the perfect destination for everyone else too- right from young couples and honeymooners to a group of friends or your entire family. From its breath-taking mountains to its fairy-tale like green meadows and even, some gorgeous hiking trails, Switzerland has a lot to offer, including the best chocolates ever!
Now, before you start mapping out your itinerary and count the days to your vacation, ensure you’ve got your visa and important documents such as your travel insurance policy in place.
Types of Visa
- Tourist visa: Indian citizens who want to visit Switzerland for tourism purposes have to apply for the tourist visa. The documents required to get an approval for a tourist visa to Switzerland are:
- A passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country along with some any old passports that he or she might possess.
- Visa application forms of the applicant.
- Two photographs of the applicant of the dimensions 35X44mm with white background and matt finish.
- Letter of cover that includes information about the applicant.
- A document that acts as proof of travel insurance for the applicant.
- A letter stating leave of absence of the candidate from school/college/company.
- Air tickets from Switzerland to another destination.
- The applicant’s income tax statement from the previous 3 years.
- The bank statement of the applicant from the past 6 months.
- If the candidate is currently employed by an organization then he or she has to provide the salary slip from the past 3 months.
- A proof of company registration under the SHOP/MOA/Deed etc.
- If the applicant is retired then he or she has to provide a proof of retirement or a pension order.
- If the candidate is a student then he or she has to provide a school ID.
- If the applicant is a child who is travelling alone then he or she will be required to provide a letter of consent from both the parents or the legal guardian that has to be mandatory attested by the public notary.
- Business visa: For any person travelling to Switzerland for the purpose of doing business, he or she needs to apply for a business visa and get an approval for the same from the Swiss immigration department. The documents required for getting an approval are:
- A passport that does not expire for at least 6 months from the day the applicant arrives in the country along with some any old passports that he or she might possess.
- Visa application forms of the applicant.
- Two photographs of the applicant of the dimensions 35X44mm with white background and Matt finish.
- A covering letter with the company letterhead.
- Proof of stay in Switzerland such as hotel bookings.
- The applicant’s air tickets from Switzerland to another destination.
- A document stating travel insurance of the applicant.
- The applicant’s income tax return from the previous 3 years.
- The bank statement of the applicant from the past 6 months. There should be sufficient funds in the bank account.
- If the candidate is currently employed by an organization then he or she has to provide the salary slip from the past 3 months.
- The applicant also needs to provide a document from the company that he or she is being sent to Switzerland for business that acts as proof of business registration.
- A letter of invitation from the Swiss government.
- Family/friend visit visa: If a person is visiting Switzerland on the invitation of a family member or friend then he or she has to apply for a family/friend visit visa. The documents required for getting an approval for a family/friend visit visa are:
- The original passport of the applicant that does not expire for at least 6 months from the date at which at which the applicant reaches Switzerland.
- Visa application forms of the applicant.
- Two photographs of the applicant of the dimensions 35X44mm with white background and Matt finish.
- Letter of cover that includes information about the applicant.
- The applicant’s air tickets from Switzerland to another destination.
- A document stating overseas travel insurance of the applicant.
- The applicant’s income tax return from the previous 3 years.
- The bank statement of the applicant from the past 6 months. There should be sufficient funds in the bank account.
- If the candidate is currently employed by an organization then he or she has to provide the salary slip from the past 3 months.
- A proof of company registration under the SHOP/MOA/Deed etc.
- If the applicant is retired then he or she has to provide a proof of retirement or a pension order.
- If the candidate is a student then he or she has to provide a school ID.
- Employment visa: If a person wants to work and live in Switzerland then he or she has to apply for an employment visa. The process and documents required for an employment visa are:
- For an employment visa to be issued to an applicant, the organization that is supposed to employ him or her in Switzerland has to initiate the process. The cantonal authorities of Switzerland will verify the request for employment visa.
- The cantonal authorities will have to approve the application before it can be sent to the Swiss representation in the native country of the applicant.
- The document that states the authorized entry of the applicant on a work visa to Switzerland needs to be provided along with the passport, two photos of the applicant, a separate copy of the first and last page of the passport of the applicant and the visa fee.
- The photos of the applicant must be of the dimensions 35X45 mm with a white or light colored background. The photo must be clicked from a digital camera and should be of high quality.
- The decision for approval of the employment visa of the candidate is taken by the Swiss cantonal migration authority. This process takes about 8-12 weeks and if the application gets approved then further 5 days for the processing.
Switzerland Tourist visa requirements for Indian citizens
If you are planning your holiday to Switzerland sometime soon, keep the following documents ready:
- Original Indian Passport which should have eligibility for a minimum of 6 months from the date of arrival in Switzerland.
- Duly filled, visa application form.
- Two photographs of the dimension 35X45 mm with matt finish and white background.
- A cover letter to mention the travel details.
- Copy of your Switzerland Travel Insurance Policy.
- Flight tickets to and fro Switzerland.
- Itinerary of your trip in Switzerland.
- Proof of accommodation/ hotel or Airbnb bookings in Switzerland.
- Income Tax Returns for the last 3 years.
- Bank Statement for the last 6 months.
- Salary Slips for the last 3 months.
Note: if you are a frequent traveller, then you will have to submit these additional documents:
- Letter of Invitation from your family/ friends in Switzerland
- Bank Statement of the last 6 months.
- Copy of Passport.
Switzerland visa fee from India
| Type of Visa | Embassy Fees |
| Single Entry Visa for Adults | 6683 |
| Single Entry Visa for Child (6-12 years) | 4683 |
| Single Entry Visa for Child (0-6 years) | 1683 |
The validity for Swiss Visa is up to 3 months. Under each age group, additional Service Fee of Rs.6999/- and GSTIN of Rs.1260/- is chargeable.
Visa regulations for Indian passport holders
Schengen visa for a stay up to 90 days For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.
National visa for a stay of more than 90 days For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.
Labour / Work permits Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.
Indian passport holders are not obliged to hold an Airport Transit Visa. Hence, transit through Switzerland and stay at the airport international transit area is permitted without any visa.
Please note that Switzerland Tourism has no authority related to granting or declining a visa.
Travel Insurance for Popular Destinations from India
Travel Insurance for USA from India
Travel Insurance from India to UK
Travel Insurance for Bali from India
Travel Insurance for Canada from India
Travel Insurance for Singapore from India
Travel Insurance for Thailand from India
Travel Insurance for Turkey from India
Travel Insurance for Dubai from India
Travel Insurance for Australia from India
Travel Insurance for Germany from India
Travel Insurance for Malaysia from India
Travel Insurance for Maldives from India
Travel Insurance for Sri Lanka from India
Travel Insurance for France from India
Travel Insurance for Spain from India
Travel Insurance for Ireland from India
Travel Insurance for Switzerland from India
Travel Insurance for Italy from India
Travel Insurance for China from India
Travel Insurance for Japan from India
Travel Insurance for Belgium from India
Travel Insurance for Vietnam from India
Travel Insurance for Philippines from India
Get Visa for Popular Countries from India
Tourist Visa for USA from India
Singapore Tourist Visa for Indians
Canada Tourist Visa from India
Australia Tourist Visa from India
Malaysia Tourist Visa from India
How to get Visa for Sri Lanka from India
How to get Tourist Visa for Dubai
How to apply for France Visa from India
Ireland Tourist Visa from India
How to get Visa for Switzerland from India
How to get Visa for Italy from India
How to Apply for Schengen Visa from India
Is Travel Insurance Mandatory for Visa?
Visa Free Countries for Indians
How to Get Visa for Saudi Arabia from India?
Conclusion
You will first need to work out which Switzerland Visa you need, depending on your purpose, the length of your trip, and how many times you plan to visit. The standard Schengen Visa, for trips lasting up to 90 days, is a short-stay visa, with longer stays requiring a work, study or family reunion visa. Multiple-entry visas are also available if you plan on traveling regularly to the Schengen Area.
You must apply for your visa no more than six months, and no fewer than 15 days, before your trip. Then you need to fill out your application, pay a fee of €80 for adults and €40 for minors, obtain all the documents you need for your Switzerland Visa, and attend an interview at a consulate, embassy, or visa application center. Visa fees are waived for children under six years of age, those traveling to Europe for study purposes, researchers, those under 25 years old traveling with charitable organizations, and those participating in sporting or cultural events.