Essential Guide to the Switzerland Schengen Visa Application Process
Understanding Switzerland Visa Types
Switzerland, a member of the Schengen area, offers different types of visas for visitors who need a visa in their passport to enter Switzerland. The type of visa you need depends on the purpose of your visit to Switzerland and the intended duration, whether it is a short stay or a long-term stay. No matter whether the applicant is planning a tourist visit to Switzerland or wants to obtain a residence permit, understanding the differences between these visa categories is crucial to successfully obtaining a visa.
The visa application process also depends on which country you are a citizen of, whether you have a previous Schengen visa in your passport, whether you have visited Switzerland before and much more.
Let's take a closer look at the national visa and the visa for short stay in Switzerland.
Short-Stay Schengen Visa Overview
A Schengen visa allows holders to travel freely within the Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period, and a visa to Switzerland in your passport can be issued for a number of years, or conversely for a number of days. Short-stay visas are usually used for tourism, business visits or short stay studies. Transit visas are also short stay visas.
The visa application process requires attention to detail and the submission of the documents required. Applicants must submit their application form and travel document together with all necessary supporting documents to the relevant swiss representation abroad. In the United Kingdom, this is either a consulate or a visa application centre TLSContact.
National Visa (Type D) Requirements
To stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you will need a national visa, which differs from the standard Schengen visa. This long stay visa requires additional documentation as well as approval from the cantonal migration authority in the desired Switzerland canton where you plan to residence and obtain a work permit. Getting a permit and then applying for a national visa usually requires more detailed documentation than a short stay visa for Switzerland.
Transit Visa Information
Airport Transit Visa Requirements
Citizens of certain countries require a transit visa even if they are only travelling through the international transit area of the Switzerland airports. A transit visa is mandatory for nationals of certain countries and must be obtained prior to the intended journey. The application form for a transit visa to Switzerland must be submitted well in advance of your travel date.
Multiple Transit Considerations
If your journey involves multiple stops within the Schengen area, you may be required to provide additional travel documents showing all the countries on your itinerary, even those that are not in Schengen. Transit visas require careful planning, especially if you are travelling through several Schengen countries. Be sure to indicate on the application form that you need a visa with multiple entry in this case.
Visa Applications Process
Preparing Your Application Form
The Switzerland visa application form must be filled out accurately and submitted with supporting documents. Ensure that all fields are filled in correctly, as incomplete completion of the application form may result in a delayed passport or visa refusal. Applicants should pay special attention to providing quality biometric data during the application process at the visa application centre.
Required Documentation
Every visa request must include:
Applicant's valid passport with sufficient validity period
Recent biometric data for personal identification
Proof of valid travel insurance
Proof of sufficient financial means
Supporting documents relevant to the purpose of your visit to Switzerland
as well as documents such as detailed travel document itinerary and many others.
Swiss Representation Abroad
Finding Your Responsible Embassy
Find the official website of the Swiss embassy abroad. If your country of destination is the United Kingdom, the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom is the embassy responsible for issuing your visa. Contact the embassy or consulate directly if you have questions that are not answered on the official website.
Making Your Appointment
The Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom has transferred the right to accept visa applications and other services to the visa centre TLSContact.
Make an appointment well in advance of your intended travel date.
Many applicants make an appointment several weeks in advance of their intended travel date.
Visa application process
Make an appointment through the visa application centre
Visit the official site of TLScontact visa application centre
Register a new account on the website
Confirm your email address
Fill in your profile with accurate personal information that will match the information in the application form
Book an appointment
Log in to your account on the visa application centre site
Select "Switzerland" as your destination country
Select your preferred visa applications TLScontact centre in the UK
Select an appointment date and time slot available
Receive your appointment confirmation email and print it out
Available visa applications TLScontact centres
There are three Swiss visa application centres in the UK. They are located in London, Manchester and Edinburgh. You can choose any of them to book your appointment and submit your visa application.
Premium Services
TLScontact offers additional premium services which include:
Priority visa applications during early and late hours
Premium lounge service
Document scanning assistance
SMS updates
Courier service for passport return
Important tips
Make appointments well in advance (at least 3-4 weeks before travelling)
Additional appointment slots may be available for urgent journeys, but these need to be requested. Try to do this via the contact us form on the TLSСontact visa centre site.
Check cancellations regularly if all dates for appointments are full
Prepare all documents before booking your appointment as some places may become available at short notice
Use visa bot services to get information about available appointments for visa application.
Common problems when booking
Limited number of spaces available for submitting documents during peak season
Technical problems with the online appointment booking system
Limited emergency appointment booking options, even when the consulate is in contact with the applicant
Special Considerations
UK Citizens and Brexit Impact
Following Brexit, UK citizens face new requirements when planning to enter Switzerland. The process varies depending on the visit purpose and duration. UK citizens should carefully review the current Schengen visa requirements for their passport, as they may need to submit additional documents to entry Switzerland for an extended period of time.
European Union and EFTA Nationals
Citizens of member states of the European Union and the European Free Trade Association have different requirements for entry into Switzerland than third-country nationals. These citizens usually have a simplified application process for a residence permit, whether it is a work permit or family reunification.
Long-Term Stay Requirements
Work Permit Processing
Applicants who plan to work in Switzerland must obtain both a work permit and the corresponding national visa. This often requires co-ordination between your potential employer in Switzerland and the cantonal migration authority. The application process for a work permit requires a large number of documents and takes several weeks, which should be taken into account when booking your visa application appointment.
Family Reunification Procedures
Family reunification visa applications for holders of a Swiss residence permit are subject to special procedures under the family reunification provisions. The State Secretariat for Migration provides detailed instructions for family members of Switzerland's permit holders or passport holders. The Cantonal Migration Office in Switzerland plays a decisive role in the processing of visa applications for family reunification.
Application Processing
Biometric Data Collection
All applicants must provide biometric data when applying for a visa to Switzerland, including fingerprints and a photograph. This personal data is stored in the Schengen visa information system. Biometric data is collected in person at the TLSContact visa application centre.
Personal interview requirements
During the processing of your visa application, you may be called for an interview. During the interview you will be asked why you need a visa and will also be asked to bring documents containing additional information about your planned visit to Switzerland.
Specific Visa Categories
Tourist Visa Applications
To obtain a tourist visa in your passport you will need to provide a travel document, your United Kingdom permit, proof of residence in Switzerland, travel insurance, proof of sufficient funds and other documents.
The processing of a tourist visa application usually takes several weeks. Tourist visa holders must strictly adhere to the 90-day stay limit in Schengen areas during any 180-day period.
Business Visit Requirements
Business visitors to the visa application must provide letters of invitation from companies and proof of business connections in Switzerland. The application form for business visits requires additional fields to be filled in, and additional documents will be required with the visa application compared to tourist visas, a list of which can be found on the Swiss Embassy page.
Important Considerations
Dublin Agreements Impact
The Dublin Agreements affect certain aspects of visa applications and residence permits, especially for those who have previously applied for asylum in other Schengen States. Knowledge of the impact of the Dublin Agreements is important for certain categories of applicants.
Short Term Studies Provisions
Students planning short-term studies in Switzerland must provide letters of acceptance from Swiss institutions and proof of sufficient financial means for the entire period requested. A number of references from the educational institution are required for a visa application to study in Switzerland.
Practical Information
Document Submission Guidelines
Submit all documents required included in your visa application package in the format specified by the embassy, otherwise the visa centre will ask you to replace the document or refuse to accept the documents at all.
Regardless of the type of visa, you will need your original passport, many other documents do not have such a requirement, copies can also work. But there is a third option, some documents are requested by the embassy both in the original and with copies attached to it. Make copies in advance, as there is a fee for this service at the visa centre.
Make sure when submitting that all forms are filled out accurately and signed.
Processing Timeframes
Standard processing times for visa applications vary, but applications must be submitted at least 15 days before the intended date of travel. The Swiss Embassy's site indicates a processing time of exactly 15 days for visa applications. However, during peak seasons some visa applications may take longer to process and your passport may not always be returned from the embassy within the strictly stated time frame, so take this into consideration if you are planning to enter Switzerland soon.
Post-Approval Procedures
Collecting Your Visa
Once you have received your visa travel document, collect it and check that all the details are correct first thing. Make sure your travel document has all the required visa stickers and stamps. If you find any errors, try to resolve the issue through the visa centre, if your entry to Switzerland is imminent, it is better to contact the consulate directly.
Understanding Visa Conditions
Be aware of the validity of your visa and any conditions under which you are authorised to enter Switzerland. Cantonal migration authorities may require additional registration on arrival from the United Kingdom for some visa types.
Conclusion
Successfully obtaining a Swiss Schengen visa depends on careful attention to detail and comprehensive document preparation. Whether the visa application is for a short-term or long-term national visa, understanding the specific requirements of the Schengen area is crucial to a successful visa application. The role of TLSContact visa centres in the UK is key to the visa application process.
Remember that visa application processing times can vary considerably, especially during peak seasons, so it is recommended that you apply for a Schengen visa as early as possible before your intended trip to Switzerland. For those planning a longer stay, coordination with the cantonal migration authorities may be required, especially for work permits and family reunification. Once you have obtained a visa in your passport, check all the details and familiarise yourself with the specific conditions of your permit to enter Switzerland. Keep up to date with any changes in visa regulations by maintaining contact with official Swiss representations.
