Switzerland visa requirements for Indians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Indians visiting Switzerland

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Swiss Visa.

  • An Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (3.5 x 4.5cm) in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Travel insurance with a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Switzerland Visa for Indians

Facts about Switzerland

Switzerland is a top destination for tourists and business people alike. Banking and finance are major industries in the country and it is little wonder the country has the highest nominal wealth per adult in the world. Tourism is no way abandoned in the country. There are a lot of attractions tourists can visit when they are in the country. Ski resorts and hiking trails are aplenty in the country. The country’s landscape is a sight to behold.

An average of 2.2 million visitors arrives in the country monthly to appreciate the beautiful landscape of the country.

In the city of Ticino, which is the Italian-speaking section of Switzerland, it is a crime to veil ones the face in public places. Doing so could attract a fine between the range of CHF100 to CHF10,000.

Types of Switzerland Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 2 weeks 90 days
Business visa 2 weeks 90 days
Student visa 2 weeks more than 90 days

General Requirements for Switzerland Visa

  • An Indian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • Duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Passport-size photographs (3.5 x 4.5cm) in white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
  • Travel insurance with a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.
Switzerland Tourist visa Switzerland Business visa Switzerland Student visa

Switzerland Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Indians traveling to Switzerland with the intention of touring the country to apply for a tourist visa
  • Switzerland is part of the Schengen countries, therefore visitors can apply for a Schengen visa.
  • This visa is valid for 90 days and is extendable to 180 days.
  • Travelers are required to provide proof of travel medical insurance confirmation of a minimum of 30,000 euros.
  • This insurance must have coverage within Switzerland and the entire Schengen area.
  • Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Switzerland must be provided.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland must be provided. A foreign national who wants to enter and reside in the territory of Switzerland must be able to attest to having at least 100 CHF for each day of their stay in Switzerland.
  • There are no currency restrictions in and out of Switzerland. Although officers may question you if you have over 10,000 Swiss Francs (CHF) in possession.
  • Although safety standards are excellent, visitors need to be aware of public safety warnings.
  • Mountain rescues can be extremely expensive and we recommend that you have sufficient insurance coverage that includes coverage for mountain search and rescue. 
  • You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. 
  • Most major credit cards are widely accepted, but many vendors will only accept chip-and-PIN cards.
  • If you plan to drive on motorways in Switzerland you must purchase a toll sticker (vignette), which must be affixed to the car’s windshield.
  • These are available online, at gas stations, and at border crossings. Rental cars usually have a vignette already; be sure to check with your car rental agency.
  • Failure to comply with traffic rules can result in large fines.

Switzerland Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Switzerland business visa is for Indians looking to travel to Belgium for business purposes.
  • You will need to provide a letter from the Switzerland company you will be visiting. This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied by the date and actual purpose of your trip.
  • If the intention is to attend a meeting or seminar, confirmation/invitation from the conference organizer/institution is required.
  • The invitation letter must also mention how the expenses of the applicant are going to be covered during his/her travel. It must be made clear whether it will be sponsored by the employer or the local company.
  • In most cases, you will also need to submit a ‘no-objection’ letter. This letter is required to validate your current status and assure the embassy that your have permission to travel. A no-objection letter is typically obtained from your employer or school authorities.
  • If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
  • Your bank statement from the last 6 months is needed. Self-employed people will submit proof of business registration.

Switzerland Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Swiss student visa is for Indian looking to study in Switzerland for three months or longer.
  • There are two types of Swiss student visa:
    • Type C study visa – for short courses (summer schools, language schools) that last only for three months.
    • Type D study visa – for courses that last longer than three months.
  • Before you can be granted a visa, you must provide the following documents during visa application:
    • Letter of acceptance issued by a Swiss university or any learning institution.
    • Proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees (original and copy).
    • Letter from the institution in case all expenses for the study will be covered by scholarship or loan.
    • Letter of motivation.
  • If you apply for a Type D visa and plan to stay in Switzerland longer than three months, you will have to arrange to get your residence permit from the cantonal migration offices within 14 days after your arrival.
  • Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your living costs in Switzerland for the duration of schooling is required. Students are required to provide evidence of having 21,000 CHF at the beginning of each year of study.
  • International students can take up part-time work for up to 15 hours a week during the semester and they can work full-time during holidays. But you have to have lived in Switzerland for six months before you can take a job as a student.
  • It is better to schedule the appointment for a visa interview as early as 6 months before your planned day of travel to Switzerland, but no later than ten weeks before.
  • There are no specific language (including  Switzerland official languages Romansh) requirements for a study visa for Switzerland. On the other hand, universities will require proof of language proficiency when you apply.
  • In some cases, the embassy will want to evaluate your language knowledge based on a short interview at the consulate, or even an oral and written test.
  • Unless the application form and all required documents are in French, German or English, you will need a certified translation of all documents into one of these languages.

Switzerland Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

160.00 (USD)

Business visa

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

160.00 (USD)

Switzerland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in India

Location

Address

New Delhi

Swiss Embassy in New Delhi, India --- Nyaya Marg Chanakyapuri New Delhi 110021 India

www.eda.admin.ch/newdelhi

ndh.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

(+91) (11) 4995 9500

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the processing time for a Swiss visa?

The processing time is generally 2 weeks for a short stay visa.

What is the best month to Visit Switzerland?

The best time months to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, between April and June, and September to October, when the weather is at best, and there aren't too many tourists.

Is Switzerland expensive to visit?

Switzerland is an expensive country to visit — there's no doubt about it.

Can you use Euros in Switzerland?

The franc is the only currency accepted in Switzerland.