Steps to apply for a Switzerland visa for Indians

Plan your Switzerland visa today. Switzerland is the utopia for many Indians because of its vibrant culture, delightful cities, and extraordinary landscape. Equip yourself with the right knowledge and turn your dream into reality. Here you will get an overview of the Switzerland visa process including types of visas, and how to apply. Where to apply? Total cost, required documents, and so forth. Secure your Switzerland visa by just following the 7 steps of this guidebook.
First, know the basics of a Switzerland visa. Issued by the Swiss authorities, a Switzerland visa is an official document that authorizes the entry and stay of an individual for a specified period in the country. For Indian citizens who want to stay in Switzerland for tourism, business, or any other purpose, a Switzerland visa is an obligatory requirement. Designating the permitted duration and purpose of the visit, the visa is stamped on the traveler’s passport.

Different Kinds of Switzerland visas

To accommodate various travel purposes, Switzerland offers different types of visas. Keeping your visit purpose in mind choose the suitable visa type.
Schengen tourist visa: If planning a short stay in Switzerland then a Schengen tourist visa is ideal for Indian tourists who are planning a leisure trip to Switzerland.
Business visa: For Indian professionals who are willing to engage in business activities like conferences, meetings, or exploring potential business opportunities in Switzerland, a business visa is customized for them.
Student visa: Tailored for Indian students intended to pursue higher studies welcomed into Swiss educational institutions.
Work visa: A work visa allows Indian nationals to reside and work in Switzerland, issued to them with a job offer in the country.
It is pivotal for a successful application to recognize the specific visa type that matches your purpose of travel

Steps to apply for a Switzerland visa

Firstly, based on the purpose, duration, and times you plan to visit you must be aware of the type of Switzerland Visa you require. A Short-stay visa for trips lasting up to 90 days is the standard Schengen visa, and a work, study, or family reunion visa is needed for longer stays. If you plan to travel regularly to the Schengen Area then a Multiple-entry visa is also a choice. Before your trip, you can apply for a six-month visa maximum and a minimum of 15 days. The next step will be filling out your application and paying a fee of €40 for minors and €80 for adults, gathering all the documents required for your Switzerland visa, and sitting for an interview at a visa application center, embassy, or consulate. Children below six years of age, those traveling for study purposes, researchers to Europe, those traveling with charitable organizations under 25 years of age, and those participating in sports and cultural events, their visa fees are sacrificed.
Indian citizens can apply through the Swiss embassy or consulate in India for a Switzerland visa. The following steps will take you through the visa application procedure.

Step 1: Download the visa application form from the website of the Swiss embassy or consulate.
Step 2: Fill all the necessary details in the visa application form.
Step 3: Deposit the visa application fee.
Step 4: According to your specific visa type gather all the required documents.
Step 5: Make an appointment for a visa interview at the embassy or consulate.
Step 6: Sit in the visa interview with all mandatory documents.
Step 7: On the visa application wait for the Swiss embassy’s decision.

List of documents required for short-stay Switzerland Visa

As per Swiss law, it is necessary to show that you have a minimum of 100 Swiss Francs per day (€92.34) for your stay in Switzerland, or if you are a student then you must possess a valid student ID and 30 Swiss Francs or €27.70 per day, to acquire a Switzerland visa from India. The crucial aspect of obtaining a Switzerland visa is the documentation procedure. Based on the type of visa you are applying for, certain requirements may vary, but common documents involve:
* Adhering to the specified guidelines two recent passport-size photos,
* Aptly filled and signed visa application form,
* Original Indian passport or other travel documents if any, less than 10 years old and with six months validity after your departure date from Switzerland, if you plan to travel to countries after visiting Switzerland.
* Travel and medical insurance covering medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation, and repatriation costs up to €30,000,
* Proof of legal residence in India (such as an ID card),
* Cover letter affirming your day-wise itinerary and the purpose of your visit,
* Flight itinerary proof of a round-trip flight reservation,
* Accommodation proof, confirming your hotel bookings for the entire stay in Switzerland.
* Evidence of your civil status such as a marriage certificate,
* Proof you have the means of living during your stay,
* Proof of fund, updated Bank statement of last six months, or other financial documents demonstrating your ability to cover the costs of your stay.
* No Objection Certificate (NOC) if employed, a letter from your employer granting permission for the trip.
* Letter of enrolment for students, a letter of acceptance/enrolment from the Swiss educational institution.

Additional documents needed to work or study Switzerland Visa

If you are planning to work or study in Switzerland for less than 90 days, to secure the Switzerland visa you need to submit some additional documents.
These additional documents are:
* an employment contract,
* Current bank statement,
* no objection certificate (NOC) from Indian employer,
* And income tax return.
* Self-employed individuals need an income tax return, any licensing document, and a company bank statement
* Students will need enrolment proof at an educational institute in Switzerland and no objection letter from their current institution.You are required to submit your application via the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi if you want to stay in Switzerland to study for more than 90 days. Since 2014, the applications for long-term work licenses should be applied through your Swiss employer and be sent to officials in the Swiss canton where you will be working.

Procedure to apply for a Swiss Visa in India

Indians can apply online for a Switzerland visa via the VFS global website. The company VFS Global, deals with initial applications on behalf of the Swiss embassy, as the Swiss authorities outsource their visa application process. Your application can take up to 15-30 days to process. But, it may take up to 60 days during busy periods. You can follow these steps to apply for a Switzerland visa from India:
1. Visit the Switzerland Embassy or VFS Global web portal for suitable visa types and requirements.
2. Register yourself and fill out the visa application form.
3. Pay the fee for an applicable visa via an online payment gateway.
4. Fix an appointment with the VFS Global Centre in India for biometric data collection, submission of the visa application, and additional documents.
5. Collect all the required documents including a valid passport, travel itinerary, passport-size photographs, and current financial statements.
6. Sit for the visa appointment
7. Submit your visa application and additional documents.
8. Trace the visa application status on the VFS Global website.
9. Collect the passport with the Switzerland visa from the VFS Global Centre.

Importantly, for hassle free visa, consider to connect with VisaBud.

Application processing time for Switzerland visa

The application processing time for a Switzerland visa differs based on the individual application and the method of application. However, around 10-15 working days are normal for proceeding with the visa application. Hence, it is advisable to apply for the visa in advance before the planned travel date.

Cost of Switzerland visa for Indians

Based on the type of visa and duration of stay, the Swiss visa fee varies. There are extra charges for courier, SMS, photocopying, and biometric services. From January 2020, the Switzerland visa for adults costs €80 or approx. Rs. 6400 cutting out the VFS charges and service fee. The Switzerland visa costs up to €40 or approx. Rs. 3400 for children aged between 6-12 years. However, you must visit the Switzerland embassy or VFS Global website for updated and detailed information on visa fees.
In comparison with other countries, the cost of living in Switzerland is high. As an international student, around INR 1, 02,000 to INR 1,50,000 per month will be the basic amount to cover your accommodation, food, transport, and additional utility expenses.

Conclusion

If the applicants are applying from any VFS Global center in India, it is obligatory to give biometrics every time. The visa application processing time is 10 to 15 working days under normal circumstances after the submission at any VFS Visa Application Center in India. Therefore, to avoid any inconvenience, it is preferred to start your application process six months before your intended travel dates. The applicant should be legally residing and working in India, for a minimum of six months and will be eligible to apply with the Swiss Representation in India. All visa applications submitted all over India will be processed by the Switzerland Embassy, New Delhi.

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