Swiss Consulate NYC, New York – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa
You won’t find any beaches in Switzerland, but there are still plenty of exciting things to see and do. The Alps and Jura mountains offer charming villages as well as high-end ski and hiking resorts. The cities of Zurich and Lucerne are just two places that are filled with arts and culture, international restaurants, and fun activities. Adventurers can seek out Interlaken with its array of sports or just head to some of the most beautiful villages for exploring. Whatever your poison, you’ll find it in this beautiful Schengen country. In this article learn more about how to apply for Switzerland Visa at the Swiss consulate in NYC, New York, Switzerland visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Swiss visa application center and Swiss Visa Application Process at the NYC, New York consulate.
Schengen Visa
In 2017, 517,010 Swiss Schengen visas were applied for and there was a 7.25% rejection rate. The Swiss Consulate in New York received 3,178 applications and just 9 were not issued.
Applying for Schengen Visa from the United States
If you are a non-US citizen and you live in the US on a permanent basis, you need a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. Some nationalities are exempt from needing a visa, so check the country list on the consulate’s website.
First of all, you have to make sure you apply at the right Swiss embassy and consulate. If you live in the following areas, you are free to submit your application to the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York:
– Bermuda
– Connecticut
– Maine
– Massachusetts
– Michigan
– Minnesota
– New Hampshire
– New Jersey
– New York
– North Dakota
– Ohio
– Pennsylvania
– Puerto Rico
– Rhode Island
– South Dakota
– US Virgin Islands
– Vermont
– Wisconsin
Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Swiss Consulate in New York
There are different types of visas available from the Swiss consulate in New York and the one you apply for will depend on your personal circumstances.
- Schengen visa – for stays up to 90 days for tourism, visiting family or friends, language studies, participation in a conference or event
- National visa – for stays over 90 days for residence for such purposes as the study, family reunion, marriage
- Airport transit visa – for citizens who will be staying in the international zone of the airport and not entering a Schengen country
- Labor/work permit visa – for foreign workers into a Swiss company
- Authorized visa – for those whose residence permit request was submitted in Switzerland
It is your responsibility to apply for the correct one. If you apply for the wrong type of visa, your application may be delayed or rejected or both. Before you begin the application process, read the consulate’s website about the different types of visas.
All of these types of visa are offered as:
- Single entry – 1 entry during 90 days
- Double entry – 2 entries during the 90 days
- Multiple entry – No limit to entries during the 90 days
Schengen Visa Application Process at the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
Processing times for Schengen visas are usually between 10 to 15 days, but it could take up to 30-60 days depending on the type of visa you are applying for. You can apply anytime between 2 and 12 weeks prior to your trip, so bear that in mind when you start. You must give the consulate enough time to process your application and issue your visa.
There are just 4 easy steps to follow in applying but first, visit the Swiss consulate’s website to learn what you need to do. You can then keep that in mind when you follow these steps.
Step 1: Complete your application and make an appointment online
Waiting times for appointments can be up to 5 weeks, so apply well in advance of your trip. If you have received a previous Schengen visa after May 15, 2014, you can mail your application to the Swiss consulate in New York. Otherwise, you must make an appointment to appear in person using their online system.
Go to the website and scroll down to “Appointment system” and click on www.swiss-visa.ch:
Scroll down and key in the place of your legal residence:
On the next page, click on “Online Application”:
You must register first, so key in the information requested and then click on “Next”:
You’ll then be able to complete the application for your visa online. Once you submit your application online, you can book a convenient day and time for your appointment.
If you prefer to complete your application you can download it, but you must still make an appointment online.
Making appointments with the embassy or visa application center is generally free and can be done yourself. However, If you are running short of time or not sure which consulate to apply to or have no idea on how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!
Step 2: Preparing your documents
This step is really important. If you fail to provide all that is required, your application will be refused and you’ll have to make a new appointment which will delay things for you. Check the consulate’s website for everything you need to present. Please be aware that you must provide originals AND photocopies.
The list of documents includes but is not limited to:
1) Printed Schengen or National visa application. If you don’t complete your application online, you can download it from the consulate’s website.
2) Two recent identical passport photos
3) Valid passport or travel document (valid for 3 months beyond planned stay, issued within the last 10 years, and have at least 2 free pages) + copies of the photo, data, and signatures pages
4) Valid permanent residence card/H1B visa + I-797/F-1 visa + I-20
5) Copies of previous Schengen visas issued within the last 5 years (if applicable)
6) Confirmed flight reservation
7) Hotel reservations to cover every night of your stay
8) Proof of sufficient financial means (3 x bank statements) A minimum of $100 per day ($30 for students)
9) Employer letter stating position and salary
10) School letter confirming enrolment
11) Business license and tax return (if self-employed)
12) International travel insurance for minimum €30K for emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment, and repatriation for medical reasons and mortal remains
13) Prepaid, self-addressed envelope with tracking number (if you wish to have your passport mailed back
14) Letter of invitation from the host company/family
15) Confirmation of paid school fees
16) Previous diplomas/school certificates
17) Notarized marriage/birth certificate
It is your responsibility to check what you need to submit for your application, so check the consulate’s website for further details.
If you’re planning to obtain your flight reservation for visa without paying for the ticket, all you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:
- Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
- Submit the travel details and make the payment online
- Receive flight itinerary in email
Step 3: Attend your appointment
As mentioned above, if you have received a previous Schengen visa and had your fingerprints recorded since 2014, you do not need to attend the consulate in person.
However, if this is your first Schengen visa, you must attend the interview in person.
On the day of your appointment, arrive at the Swiss consulate in New York early. This will give you a few extra minutes to check you have everything and to think about anything extra they may ask you. Dress appropriately too. Making a good impression is your aim and dressing the part will help with this.
During the appointment, you may be asked additional questions. This is quite normal, so don’t worry. The official only wishes to confirm the information that you have stated, so just answer them honestly and be confident with your answers. Typical visa interview questions could be:
- Have you ever been to Switzerland before?
- Is this your first time abroad?
- Do you know anyone in the Schengen area?
- What’s your salary?
- Will you be doing business in Switzerland?
Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!
On the appointment day, you also have to pay the relevant Schengen visa fee:
Schengen Visa Fee
Category | Fee |
| Adults (over 12 years old ) | $72 |
| Children (6-11 years old) | $42
|
Children (younger than 6) | Free |
| Spouses and children of Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals; CERN and UN personnel (official trips only); students who study in Switzerland for only up to 90 days | Free
|
Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Serbia, Moldova, Russia, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia | $42 |
The fee can be paid online when you complete your online application or by money order if you are sending the application by mail. The money order should be payable to Consulate General of Switzerland, New York. You also have the option of paying by Master or Visa card, exact cash or money order if presenting your application in person.
Step 4: Receive your visa
When the visa has been processed, you have the option to collect it from the consulate or have it mailed back to you. Hopefully, your new Swiss visa will be attached to your visa, but it may have been refused for any number of reasons. If it is refused you have the right to appeal. Some reasons why a Schengen visa may be refused are:
- False travel documents
- Employment and financial means don’t match
- Passport does not have 2 free pages
- No travel tickets for tours
- Invalid travel insurance
- Passport has active Schengen visa
If you want your visa to be approved, pay attention to the requirements. Under no circumstances, present a fake travel document – you will be found out! Make sure all your documents are in order and the information is consistent. Have the necessary health cover and ensure you include information regarding any tours you may be going on. Most importantly, know whether you have applied for a Schengen visa before and whether you still have one that is valid.
Contact detail for the Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
Address: 633 Third Avenue, 30th Floor, New York, NY 10017-6706
Email: newyork.visa@eda.admin.ch
Phone: +1 212 599 5700
Fax: +1 212 599 4266
Telephone hours: Monday to Thursday, 08.30 am to 5.00 pm; Fridays, 08.30 am to 4.00 pm
Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 08.30 am – 12.00 pm
Conclusion
In summary, you only have to follow these 4 easy steps to apply for your Swiss Schengen visa. Fill out your application online, book your appointment, attend your interview, and, hopefully, receive your visa. Then you can get ready to enjoy the beautiful country of Switzerland.
At Visa Reservation, we strive to simplify the visa process by providing free visa consultations, cover letter templates and no objection letter templates for our clients from US, UK, Canada, Philippines, India, China, UAE, Europe, Nigeria and globally. We also offer flight itinerary for visa, travel medical insurance, hotel reservations for visa and much more. To learn more about how we can help you with our visa services, please feel free to contact us today.
See Also
How To Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa at Swiss Consulate in San Francisco, California
