Switzerland Visa From India – How to Apply for Swiss Schengen Visa Application Requirements Guide

Switzerland is up there when it comes to beautiful Schengen countries. You can explore pretty towns, like Spiez, or spend time in mountain resorts, like Zermatt. Basel is good for museums and there are castles in Bellinzona. And with picturesque old towns in numerous other cities and towns, you won’t be short of things to see and do. In this article, learn more about how to apply for a Switzerland visa from India, Switzerland visa appointment booking, processing time at the Switzerland visa application center, flight itinerary for a Switzerland visa, hotel bookings for a Switzerland visa, Schengen travel insurance for a Switzerland visa application, and Switzerland visa application process in India.

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Switzerland Schengen Visas

In 2021, embassies around the world received a total of 114,025 Switzerland visa applications. 14,770 were refused. The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi received 19,645 and refused 4,134.

Applying for a Switzerland Schengen Visa from India

You can apply for a visa for Switzerland from India as long as you are a citizen of India or you have the legal right to live in India.

The Embassy of Switzerland processes visa applications, however, the receipt of visa applications has been outsourced to VFS Global, so you will submit your application to one of their offices in India (see below for contact details).

Visa applications are processed within 10-15 days, however, it may take longer, so you must apply at least 15 days before your trip. You can apply up to 6 months before your trip, so make sure you apply in time.

Types of Schengen visas offered at The Embassy of Switzerland in India

There are different visas you can apply for:

1. Schengen visa – for up to 90 days for tourism, visiting family/friends etc
2. National visa –  for more than 90 days for family reunion, study or employment etc
3. Airport Transit visa – if you are catching a connecting flight on the way to another destination

How Can I Apply for a Switzerland Schengen Visa from VFS Global in India?

To apply for your visa, follow these simple steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit a Visa Application Center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport

Step 1 – Identify visa type

Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “Start now”:

Go to “step 1 – identify visa type” and click on the link:

Select the visa you are applying for:

You will then be presented with information regarding fees, required documents, forms etc. Read the information in full before going to step 2:

Step 2 – Begin your application

Go to “step 2” and click on the link:

You can download the visa application form to complete it. You need to print and sign it and hand it over to VFS Global.

Step 3 – Book an appointment

Making appointments with the embassy, consulate 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 how to get this done yourself then not to worry, we will make the appointment for you for a small service fee!

Booking a visa appointment using our services is pretty simple! All you have to do is follow the 3 simple steps below:

1. Visit the link to schedule the visa appointment
2. Submit the appointment details, the visa you are applying for, consulate you need the appointment for, the country you need the appointment IN and make the payment
3. Receive appointment confirmation in email

You can also make an appointment on your own by following the steps below.

1. Go to VFS Global’s website and click on “start now”
2. Go to “step 3” and click on the link to book an appointment
3. Click on the link to book now
4. Create an account and then log in
5. Make your appointment
6. Receive an e-mail confirming your appointment, with a confirmation letter attached

Step 4 – Pay your fees

You can pay the fees in cash or credit/debit card. The fees are non-refundable even if your application gets rejected.

VFS Global offers a range of optional services which you would need to pay extra for. For more information, visit their website.

Step 5 – Visit a visa application center

On the day of your appointment:

1. Arrive at least 15 minutes before your scheduled time. If you miss your appointment on the scheduled day, you will need to book a new appointment
2. You must attend your appointment in person. You cannot send someone in your place
3. Take a printed copy of your visa application, as well as a valid passport or travel document with at least 2 pages that are blank on both sides
4. Take all supporting documentation
5. At the center, you will also need to submit your fingerprints and photograph. This is known as biometric information collection. A digital finger scanner collects images of all 10 digits, and you will have a digital photo taken. Without biometrics information, your visa application will not be processed

You may also be asked questions about your application. Typical questions include:

1. What is your salary in India?
2. What will you do in Switzerland?
3. When will you return to India?
4. Are you traveling alone?

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

Step 6 – Track your application

Go to “step 6” and click on the link to track your application online:

Use the reference number on the invoice/receipt issued by VFS Global, along with your date of birth:

Step 7 – Collect your passport

The decision will be either:

1. Accepted – you will find your visa attached to one of the pages in your passport
2. Rejected – if your application is rejected, you can appeal the decision
   

There are different reasons why an application may get rejected:

1. Flight reservation not included – you must include a flight reservation with your application to prove the means of transport including the return to India
2. Proof of accommodation missing – you must provide proof of where you will be staying during your time in Switzerland. This could be a hotel reservation or staying with friends etc
3. Previous passports not included – if you have ANY previous passports, these must be submitted with your application so the embassy can check your travel history
4. Lack of financial means – you must be able to afford your trip and sustain yourself while in Switzerland, so you must provide relevant documents

Documents Required

To help you prepare your documents, refer to the checklists on VFS Global’s website. The requirements are different for each type of visa, so you must know what to provide for your application.

You should also submit photocopies along with original documents.

Documents include:

1. Passport – containing at least 2 blank pages, issued within the previous 10 years, valid for at least three months after your return to India. Handwritten passports and passports with observations regarding the front page (bio data) are not acceptable
   
2. Two recent passport photos – 35×45, not older than 6 months and on a white background (see full photograph specifications)
3. Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
4. Previous passport/s
5. Personal cover letter – including your travel plan (s)
   
6. Introduction letter – letter has to be on a business letterhead from the employer/company, signed and stamped and it must include your position and the duration of your service & “No objection statement” for the trip, dates and purpose of the trip
7. Travel insurance – to cover all expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgent medical attention and/or emergency hospital treatment. The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen territory and for at least 30,000 Euros
   
8. Flight reservation including your name. If you are traveling to several Schengen States, proof of intra-Schengen flight reservation, train itinerary or car rental
9. Proof of accommodation – Hotel reservations, package tour, advance payments
10. Proof of financial status – if employed: payslips x 3 months; if self-employed: business registration certificate; if retired: pension statements x  3 months or other proof of income; if student/unemployed: parent’s bank statements x 3 months/ITR
11. Children under 18 years old – parental consent; ID of parents/legal guardians
12. If you continue to travel to a third country (i.e. UK, USA, Canada etc) after leaving the Schengen Area, the visa of the next country has to be obtained first
13. Clear photocopies of valid UK, USA, or CAN visas (if any)
14. Bio data page and last page of the passport
15. Invitation letter

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

COVID Regulations

There are currently no entry restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. No proof of vaccination, recovery or testing is required for entry into Switzerland. However, you should always check the entry requirements before you travel.

How to contact VFS Global in India

Helpline

Please contact VFS Global for any information regarding the visa process:

Contact Number: 022-67866035 – 08:00 hrs – 17:00 hrs (Monday – Friday)

Email Address: Infoswiss@vfshelpline.com

Conclusion

To apply for a Switzerland visa from the Embassy of Switzerland in India, follow these simple steps:

1. Step 1 – Identify visa type
2. Step 2 – Begin your application
3. Step 3 – Book an appointment
4. Step 4 – Pay your fees
5. Step 5 – Visit a Visa Application Center
6. Step 6 – Track your application
7. Step 7 – Collect your passport