Switzerland Visa for Indians

A Switzerland visa for Indians is a mandatory permit that is legally required for Indians to enter Switzerland. India is not among the visa-free countries. Hence, all Indians mandatorily need a visa before entering Switzerland.

Besides, there is no visa-on-arrival for Indians and a pre-approved visa application for Switzerland from India is a must. One must apply for the right type of visa depending on the intention of their visit.

However, since Switzerland is a Schengen country, Indians who have a Schengen visa from other Schengen states do not require an additional or separate visa to travel to Switzerland.

Note: India and Switzerland have a mutual agreement that allows the diplomatic passport holders of both countries to enter without requiring a visa and stay up to 90 days. However, diplomatic passport holders are not allowed to take up any kind of employment in the visiting country.

The Swiss government offers several kinds of visas to Indian visitors. The various types of Switzerland visas for Indians are as mentioned below -

The two major types of Switzerland visas for Indians are:

Schengen Visa or Type C Visa- Valid for stays up to 90 days

National Visa or Type D Visa- Valid for stays more than 90 days

Here is a further breakdown of these two types of visa:

Schengen Short Stay Visa or Type C Visa

All applicants applying for a Switzerland visa have to pay a certain amount as a visa fee while submitting the visa application form and the necessary documents. Switzerland visa fees are different for the different types of visas. The following table shows the Switzerland visa fees payable by applicants based on their visa type:

*Note: The visa fees in Indian rupee are based on the exchange rate and may be subject to change based on the fluctuation of the currency exchange.

Visa Fees For VFS Global

Suppose you are making a Switzerland visa application through VFS Global, Switzerland's official visa partner. In that case, you may have to pay some additional charges over and above the visa fees mentioned above.

These charges may be in lieu of the added services offered by the agency pertaining to your visa. Here is the additional Switzerland tourist visa cost you may have to pay in this case:

-Through VFS Global

• Go to VFS Global’s official website.

• Click on the option “Start Now” under the “Apply for a Visa” tab.

• On the next page, you may have a look at the types of visas and choose an appropriate visa type applicable to you.

• Next, click on “Begin Your Application”.

• The next step is to download and fill out the Switzerland visa application form in India.

• After you have filled out the application form accurately, you must book an appointment at the Embassy to make the submissions.

• Go to the appointment page and click on “Book Now.”

• If you do not have an account on the VFS portal, you must click on “I don’t have an account”. Register on the portal using the email ID, password and phone number.

• Click on the activation link to verify your email address.

• Next, log in to the portal and choose the visa application centre location, appointment category and sub-appointment category. Next, click on “Continue.”

Note: You can also choose the Embassy or Consulate if you wish to visit the Embassy during your visa process.

• You may provide the personal details of the visa applicant by clicking on Save.

• Validate the personal details and click on “Continue.”

• At this stage, you may also add the details of your family members if you are making a group application and click ‘Continue.’

• Now choose the preferred appointment date and time and click ‘Continue.’

• You may also choose any additional services you desire, such as SMS, courier, etc.

• On the final page, you must review the application details, service fee, visa fee, etc.

• Accept the terms and conditions on the page and click on ‘Pay Online.’

• Complete the payment using the secured payment gateway.

• After successful payment completion, you will receive the confirmation in your registered email.

• On the appointed day, visit the centre with all the necessary documents such as the application form, payment receipt, etc.

• Complete the process at the VAC, such as submitting the biometrics, digital photograph, etc.

• Your application will then be forwarded to the Embassy of Switzerland in India.

• On completion of the application verification, you will receive your passport and visa, after which you can enter Switzerland.

Useful Link: Embassy of Switzerland in India

Every Indian citizen who wishes to travel to Switzerland should apply for a Switzerland visa. Whether you are planning a short-stay trip to this beautiful country or looking forward to a long-term stay in Switzerland, applying for a visa before your trip is a must. Even if you wish to travel for work, you need to apply for a Switzerland work visa for an Indian.

Thus, Indians wanting to visit Switzerland for tourism, leisure, study, employment, business, family visitation and residence must mandatorily obtain a pre-approved to enter the Schengen state.

Only Indian diplomats are allowed to visit Switzerland without a visa as per the mutual agreement between Indian and Switzerland for a stay of maximum 90 days. Apart from the diplomats all adults and minors must apply for a Switzerland visa before the departure.

The time taken for Swiss visa processing at the Embassy is between 10-15 working days after the visa is received at the centre. If you are applying at the VFS centres in certain states, the applications are submitted to the Embassy on the second or third working day.

Thus, one must keep the processing time and the date of travel in mind while applying for the Switzerland visa. An application may be submitted at the earliest but not earlier than six months from the date of departure.

Some visas may take more than usual time for processing if the applicant is required to submit any additional documents or if the application requires additional scrutiny. The processing times may also vary depending on the time of the year, tourist season, etc. Thus, to receive the visa well in time, it is advisable to make an early application.

If you plan to visit Switzerland anytime soon, you need to keep a few documents handy to make your visa application process smooth. Here's a list of documents required for a Switzerland visa from India that you will need to submit along with your Switzerland visa application form to get a valid visa for your Swiss trip:

• A valid Indian Passport issued in the last 10 years with a minimum validity of at least 3 months and 2 blank pages.

• Duly filled out Switzerland visa application form.

• Passport-size photographs of the applicants with a dimension of 35X45 mm in matt finish and white background.

Note: The number of photographs depends on the type of visa application.

• A cover letter mentioning travel details.

• Return tickets for your Switzerland trip.

• A complete itinerary of your Swiss trip.

• Invitation letter from the employer or business partner.

• Provide proof of accommodation, such as hotel or Airbnb booking details in Switzerland.

• Income Tax Returns (ITR) for the last 3 years.

• Last 6 months’ Bank Statement with the bank’s signature and stamp on A4 size.

• Salary Slips for the last 3 months.

• Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of € 30,000 per person.

Useful Link: Schengen visa application form for short stays
National Visa application form

To get a Switzerland visa for Indian, one must fulfil the following eligibility criteria:

• The applicant must hold a valid passport.

• Applicants must have travel insurance with the minimum coverage mentioned.

• Must have sufficient financial capacity to survive in Switzerland

• Those applying for a residence permit must fulfil the criteria for holding a previous residence permit. For instance, if you are applying for a Swiss Permit C category, you must hold a Permit B for 10 years.

• Students must have a valid confirmation or acceptance letter from the University or school.

• The intent to visit Switzerland must be supported with valid proof.

• One must possess the accommodation and flight details.

A Swiss visa may get rejected if the applicant falls short of completing the formalities as required or fails to submit the required documents. Knowing the most common reasons for visa rejection assists you in avoiding mistakes and making a successful application.

• Submitting incomplete application forms or providing inaccurate information.

• Not having valid travel medical insurance or having travel medical insurance with insufficient coverage.

• Submitting photographs older than 6 months or with a coloured background or of the wrong dimensions.

• Submitting an expired passport or a passport with insufficient validity.

• A visa application may be rejected if you do not possess sufficient financial means to stay in Switzerland.

Switzerland is one of the most enchanting locations in the world, attracting millions of tourists every year. However, the cost of living, healthcare, and all other facilities here are very high. And this is exactly why you would need a travel insurance plan while touring there. Overseas travel insurance will keep your pockets safe by covering the costs of some of the major unforeseen circumstances.

Most importantly, travel insurance is a mandatory requirement for a Switzerland visa. TATA AIG assists you in fulfilling this requirement with its travel insurance Switzerland. From sicknesses to accidents, passport and luggage loss, flight delays and cancellation, our insurance plans assist you in every possible way. Our insurance plan offers financial support on a foreign land at a very affordable premium of 40.82 per day.

You can choose from multiple travel insurance plans such as single-trip, multi-trip, or family insurance. We also offer COVID-19 coverage, an online policy purchase and renewal facility, smooth claim settlement, customer assistance and much more.

Since COVID-19 has ended, all the mandatory restrictions have been lifted by the Swiss government. Travellers to Switzerland no longer need vaccination certificates, masks, RT-PCR reports, etc. However, when travelling to any foreign land, one must take preventive measures to avoid falling sick. Here are some things that one must take care of:

• It is advisable to carry hand sanitisers, insect repellent, sunscreen, etc., to stay protected outdoors.

• In cold weather conditions, you must wear appropriate clothing to prevent frostbite.

• One must carry glacier glasses when travelling to higher altitudes to safeguard oneself from snow blindness.

• Make sure the temperature of your food is appropriate as per the dish. Hot food should be sufficiently hot so that germs do not cause food poisoning.

• Avoid raw foods and unpackaged drinking water.

In case of an emergency, You can reach out to the authorities on the following numbers:

• 117 -Police

• 118- Fire

• 144-Ambulance

• 140- Roadside emergencies

Swiss people consider guinea pigs to be very social animals and hence, the locals keep guinea pigs as pets.

• A large part of the mountains in Switzerland has hollowed out bunkers for the protection of the army and civilians in the event of an attack.

• Switzerland is a beautiful country with towering mountains and glistening lakes, but it has no coastlines.

• Switzerland has 26 cantons and four official languages.

• Sundays are special in Switzerland, and the law prohibits several everyday activities.

• Swiss chocolates are famous all over the world. The locals love their chocolates and hence, they have been perfecting the art of making chocolates since time immemorial.

• A trip to Switzerland is incomplete without tasting their cheese and fondues.

-Zurich: It is the largest city in Switzerland and offers visitors plenty of things to do. You can spend time exploring the cultural and historical sites such as the town hall. You can also go window shopping or admire historic art at the Kunsthaus Museum. It is a great idea to enjoy a view-worthy dinner at Restaurant Buech.

-The Matterhorn: The Matterhorn mountain is an iconic symbol of Switzerland shaped like a jagged tooth. You can hike or choose to ride on cable cars or cogwheel trains from the Zermatt as your base.

-Geneva and Lake Geneva: If you are looking for a variety of experiences, visiting Geneva is a must. Clear lakes, parks, museums and some great restaurants will keep you glued here for a long time. A boat ride in Lake Geneva or a cruise dinner are also some exciting things to do here.

-The Lavaux Vineyards: Vine lovers must visit the Lavaux Vineyards for a unique experience. The vineyards are about 30 km long and are located on the north shore of Lake Geneva. Visiting this vine boutique means you get to taste wine that is not available anywhere else.

-Gruyeres: Tasting cheese is a must in Switzerland, and Gruyeres is world-famous for cheese and chocolate. Here, you can witness how savoury cheese is made and taste samples to tickle your tastebuds. You can also visit Switzerland’s oldest chocolate factory, La Maison Cailler and see how chocolates are made to perfection