Swiss Embassy Washington DC – 4 Easy Steps to Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa

There are plenty of stunning views in Switzerland – awesome mountains, green hills, and stunning lakes. Then there are the cities designed for the hundreds of tourists that come their way to explore the medieval centers and old towns in this beautiful Schengen country. How about a boat trip or exploring the country’s wine regions? Switzerland is just waiting for you to visit! In this article learn more about how to apply for Switzerland Visa at the Swiss embassy in Washington, DC, Switzerland visa appointment booking, Processing time at the Switzerland visa application center and Switzerland Visa Application Process at the Washington DC embassy.

Schengen Visa

In 2017, there were a total of 517,010 Schengen visa applications received. 37,464 were refused making a 7.25% rejection rate. The Embassy of Switzerland in Washington DC refused 2.6% of its 1,050 applications received.

Applying for a Schengen Visa from the United States

If you are a US citizen, you don’t need to apply for a Schengen visa if you are going for a maximum of 90 days. However, if you are not a US citizen you need a visa to enter Switzerland. In order to apply from the United States, you must live in the country permanently and be able to prove this with official documents.

You have to make sure you apply at the right Swiss embassy and consulate. If you wish to apply at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington, you can do so if you live within the Embassy’s jurisdiction. The following areas are included:

District of Columbia (DC)

States of Delaware, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Missouri, Nebraska, Virginia, West Virginia, Northern Mariana Islands, Guam

Types of Schengen Visas Offered at the Swiss Embassy in Washington DC

To familiarize yourself with the types of visa available, spend some time looking at the Embassy’s website. This will give you comprehensive information about visas and their requirements.

The one you will apply for will depend on how long you are going to Switzerland for and the reason you are going:

Schengen visas are for a maximum of 90 days. These visas are issued for the purposes of tourism, business, visiting family or friends, short-term language studies, attending a conference or event etc. These visas can be for single, double, or multiple entry.

National visas are for over 90 days. These visas are issued for the purposes of long-term studies, family reunification, marriage, employment etc. These visas can be for single or multiple entry.

Airport Transit visas are issued if you are transiting through the international zone of a Swiss airport en-route to a different country

Schengen Visa Application Process at the Embassy of Switzerland in Washington DC

When you apply you must take account of the Embassy’s processing times which are currently around 15 days. These timescales could change during peak times, such as summer or during the holidays. In addition, certain types of visa may take longer to process. Don’t leave it too late! You can apply, at the earliest, 90 days before your trip and, at the latest, 15 days before.

When you are ready, have a look at the Embassy’s website where you can learn about how to apply and what the requirements are for your particular type of visa.

Once you’ve done that, you should complete your application and book your appointment. These can both be done online on the Embassy’s website.

Step 1: Complete your application and make an appointment online

First-time applicants must make an appointment and appear in person at the Embassy to submit the application. In this case, you will register, complete and print your application form and make an appointment.

However, if you are applying for a National (type D) visa or have had a Schengen visa issued after May 15, 2014, you are permitted to mail or drop off your application. In this case, you’ll need to include a pre-paid, self-addressed envelope with tracking number and a drop off form. If you are dropping off your application, you do not need an appointment but must do so during the Embassy’s opening hours – Monday to Thursday, 9.00 am to 12.00 pm.

First, go to the consulate’s website and scroll down to “Application procedure” and click on: www.swiss-visa.ch:

Input your legal residence:

Then, click on: “Online Application”:

You will be asked to register, so fill out the form and then click on “Next”:

Once you’ve done that, complete the application, print it off, and then book a convenient appointment for when you can go to the Embassy to submit your documents.

Please note, if you are applying for a National visa, you cannot use the online system for completing your application form. You can download it from the Embassy’s website.

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: Prepare your documents

You must prepare all the necessary documents before your appointment. Incomplete applications will not be processed and you’ll have to make a new appointment.

Have a look at the Embassy’s website before you start, so you know what documents you need for your type of visa.

Also, you must provide original documents and photocopies of everything, so don’t forget to do this.

Documents include:

1) Completed and signed Schengen or National visa application

2) Two passport-sized photos – not older than 6 months

3) Passport – dated at least 3 months beyond trip dates, issued within last 10 years, have 2 blank pages

4) US residence card or valid visa

5) Previous Schengen visas issued within last 5 years (if applicable)

6) Proof of return flight

7) Proof of accommodation

8) Proof of financial sufficiency – Bank statements for the last 3 months

9) Employment letter – confirming job role and salary or business license and last tax return

10) Enrollment letter from the educational facility

11) Travel medical insurance – minimum €30K for emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment, and repatriation

12) Pre-paid, self-addressed envelope with tracking number

13) Invitation letter from the host/company/family etc.

14) Confirmation that school fees have been paid

15) Diplomas/school certificates

16) Notarized marriage/birth certificate

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:

1. Visit the Visa Reservation website to choose the right package
2. Submit the travel details and make the payment online
3. Receive flight itinerary in email

Step 3: Attend your appointment

When the time comes to attend your interview at the Swiss Embassy in Washington DC remember the following things:

1. Take ALL the required documents
2. Arrive on time
3. Dress the part

All these things will help you when you are applying for your Swiss visa.

Once your interview begins, you may be questioned by the visa staff if they wish to confirm anything about your application. If they do, make sure you answer them politely and give as much (or as little) information as is necessary. Interview questions could be:

1. Have you applied to this Embassy before?
2. What are your plans in Switzerland and the Schengen area?
3. What is your job here?
4. How much is your salary?
5. Are you planning on returning?

Don’t jeopardize your Schengen visa interview at the last minute. Use this comprehensive and thorough visa interview guide to crack the visa interview!

The fee for your visa will also need to be paid. You can pay by cash, visa or master card. If you have registered online you will have paid the fee already. If you are mailing your application, you can pay by money order payable to the Embassy of Washington.

Schengen Visa Fee

If this is your first time applying for a Schengen visa, you need to provide a scan of your fingerprints. However, if you have had a previous Schengen visa and you provided biometrics within the last 5 years, the Embassy can re-use your data.

Step 4: Receive your visa

The Embassy in Washington DC will advise you when you are able to collect your passport from them or you can have it mailed back to you. You will need to provide an envelope if you choose to have it posted.

Hopefully, you will find your Swiss visa in your passport, but there are times when visa applications get rejected. Some rejection reasons include:

1. Proof of accommodation missing
2. Reason for travel is not clear
3. Damaged passport
4. Cannot establish whether you will return to the US after your trip
5. Lack of funds
6. Employer’s letter not included

It’s easy to get around these rejections reasons. Just make sure you present all the required documents to the Embassy at your appointment. If your passport is damaged in any way, you must get a new one before applying for your visa. You must also make it clear why you are traveling to Switzerland and that you have the money to pay for it. In addition, you must tell the Embassy of your plans to return after your trip.

Contact detail for the Swiss Embassy in Washington DC

Address: 2900 Cathedral Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008-3499

Email: was.visa@eda.admin.ch

Phone: 202 745 7900

Fax: 202 387 2564

Telephone hours: Monday to Thursday, 8.00 am to 5.00 pm; Fridays, 8.00 am to 4.00 pm

Please note, no information regarding visas will be given over the phone. You must request this via email only

Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 9.00 am – 12.00 pm

Conclusion

In summary, all you need to do to apply for your visa for Switzerland is:

1. Fill out your application online and book your appointment
2. Prepare your documents
3. Attend your interview
4. Receive your visa

4 easy steps to get your Swiss visa and then you can really begin the countdown to your Swiss adventure.

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 , Book Visa Appointment, Travel Guides, Visa Interview Guides and many 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 NYC, New York
How To Apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa at Swiss Consulate in San Francisco, California