Your complete guide to a Switzerland Visa for Indians
Switzerland is a popular tourist destination for Indians. And in addition to the majestic scenery, Switzerland is a great place for skiing and food. The country is also the home of the hospitality industry, with Swiss universities and colleges offering hotel management and hospitality courses for international students. If you are thinking of heading to Switzerland, here is everything to know about getting a visa for Indian passport holders.
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Do Indians need a visa for Switzerland?
Yes, Indians need a visa for Switzerland. Switzerland is not a part of the European Union, but it belongs to the Schengen group of countries. Indian passport holders will need to apply for a Schengen visa from India to visit Switzerland.¹
Types of Swiss visas
Switzerland offers short-term and long-term visas to Indian citizens to visit for multiple purposes. Short-stay visas include tourist visits, business, incentive tours, seeing friends and family, and short-term students. In contrast, long-stay visas are for students intending to stay more than 90 days and employment.²
Switzerland tourist visa for Indians
The Switzerland tourist visa is a short-stay visa allowing Indian passport holders to visit Switzerland for tourism. This visa is for a travel period of less than 90 days.³
Switzerland work visa for Indians
Switzerland issues two primary types of work permits:⁴
The work permit for up to 120 days is available for paid work and for work that does not have financial remuneration. The longer work permit for over 120 days requires your employer to apply on your behalf.
Switzerland student visa for Indians
Switzerland offers two different types of student visas. There is a short-stay visa for students that study in the country for less than 90 days. For longer courses, programs, or degrees, students can apply for a long-stay student visa.⁵
Does Switzerland offer visas on arrival?
No. Switzerland does not offer a visa-on-arrival for Indian passport holders.
Switzerland visa fees
The Switzerland visa fees are payable online or at the visa application center by credit card, debit card, or net banking.⁶
Student visas do not have an application fee. For tourist visas, there is a separate visa fee of INR 3,450 for children between the ages of 6 and 12. Children below 6 years old are not charged for a visa.
VFS Global, the visa application center, charges a Service and Convenience Fee for every application as well.
Switzerland visa requirements for Indian citizens
The general requirements for Indian citizens to apply for Switzerland visas are as follows:⁹
- Valid Indian passport issued within the last ten years, with a validity of three months after the scheduled return from Switzerland, and having at least two blank pages.
- The passport should have been issued within the previous ten years.
- Are genuine about your reason to visit Switzerland.
- Must apply only 180 days before the date of departure.
- Hold a travel insurance policy.
- Flight reservation tickets.
- Proof of housing or accommodation in Switzerland.
- Travel Insurance of minimum coverage of 30,000 Euros.
- Bank statement from the last 3 months showing sufficient funds to cover your stay in Switzerland.
- 2 passport-sized photographs of specific dimensions; four photographs for a Work visa
- Completed visa application form.
Tourists to Switzerland will need additional documents detailing their travel plan. Applying for a Work Visa will require an introduction letter from your employer and business partner in Switzerland. Students will need to show evidence of their that they have been accepted into the study program and details of their academic background.
VFS Global and the Embassy of Switzerland may require additional documents from applicants on a case-to-case basis.
How to apply for a Swiss visa
Indian passport holders can apply for a Swiss visa at the VFS Global visa applicationcenter. VFS Global collects the application and documents, but the final approval will come from the Embassy of Switzerland. Here are the steps to apply for a Swiss visa:⁸
- Determine yourvisa type and gather your documents.
- Begin your visa application by downloading the visa application form.
- Complete the application form.
- Book an appointment with the visa application center.
- Pay the visa and other fees, if applicable.
- Attend your appointment at the visa applicationcenter (VAC).
- Provide your biometrics and digital photo to the VAC.
- Submit the application form and documents.
- Receive your acknowledgment number.
Once you have submitted your documents, you can track your visa application online. You will be notified by email of the visa decision and how to collect your passport and documents.
How long does it take to get a Swiss visa?
The processing time for a Swiss visa for Indians depends on the visa category.
| Type of Visa | Processing time |
|---|---|
| Tourist Visa | 15 working days from the application date. |
| Work permit up to 120 days | 8 to 12 weeks for obtaining authorization and up to five working days for processing. |
| Work permit for more than 120 days | 8 to 12 weeks for obtaining authorization and up to five working days for processing. |
| Student visa for more than 90 days | 8 to 12 weeks |
| Student Visa for up to 90 days | 15 working days. |
The short-stay Switzerland visas are valid for a maximum of 90 days, whereas the long-stay visa validity period depends on the visa category.
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Sources used for this article:
- Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - Different types of visas
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - Tourist Visa
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - Work Visa
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - Student Visa
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - Visa Fees
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - General Requirements
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - How to Apply for a Swiss Visa
- Switzerland Visa for Indians - General Documents
Sources verified on 21 June 2023.
Photo by Sven on Unsplash
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