Since the middle of December 2008 Switzerland is issuing Schengen visas.

Please take note that the processing time for Schengen visas will take 1-3 weeks.

The Schengen Agreement took effect on 26 March 1995, and currently comprises the following countries:

Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland.

The purpose of the Schengen Agreement is – among other objectives – the issuance of a common and uniform visa for short-term stays up to 90 days in one or several of the Schengen countries.

Malaysian citizens do not require a visa when traveling to one of the Schengen countries for business or tourism reasons. The stay in the Schengen States, however, may not exceed 90 days within a 6-months period.

Please note that the Malaysian visitor will need to present a valid Malaysian passport, proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket upon arrival at the first point of entry in the Schengen States.

In case you are a citizen of a country which does need a visa to enter the Schengen States or as a Malaysian citizen intending to stay longer than three months you will have to apply for a visa before traveling.

1.  If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy of that particular country.
2.  If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy of the country which is your main destination. The main destination is ascertained according to the purpose of the trip and the length of the stay.
3. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy of the country which is your first point of entry. 
4. If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country which is your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries you wish to visit. You should then apply at the Embassy of the first Schengen country which does require you to have a visa.

Important:
Applications should be made in person at the Embassy.

A visa application that is rejected by any of the Schengen countries is considered as being rejected by all the Schengen partners. Schengen Embassies have set up an internal information system in order to avoid multiple applications. Multiple applications will automatically be rejected.

Note: Your application can only be accepted if all requested documents are submitted. The average processing time is 1-3 weeks. The visa fee is € 60.-- payable in Ringgit Malaysia only.

a) Airport Transit/Transit Visa

You must apply for this visa at the Embassy of the first country of transit. The duration of any such transit through the Schengen area must be kept to the necessary minimum.
The following documents are required:

1. A passport or travel document recognized by all parties to the Schengen Agreement which must be valid for at least three months after the expiration date of the visa applied for (Note: If the passport or travel document is not valid in one or more of the Schengen countries it is still possible to obtain visa. This visa will then be restricted to those Schengen countries that accept the passport or travel document).
2. One official visa application form, with one passport photo. Please check the requirements for passport photos hereafter!
3. Proof of transportation (airline ticket), whether for a single outbound journey or for two trips on the outbound and return journey.
4. Proof of means of support.
5. A visa for the final country of destination (outside the Schengen area), if required.

b) Short-Stay Visa (1 to 90 days) or Travel Visa

You can generally apply for a visa for one or more entries for the purpose of tourism or business or for family visits, but neither the duration of any uninterrupted stay nor the total duration of successive stays may exceed three months in any half year reckoned from the date of the first entry.

Your application for this type of visa must be submitted with the documents listed below to the Embassy in whose territory the main destination of your journey(s) is situated, irrespective of which country in the Schengen area you are entering first.

The following documents are required:

1. A passport or travel document recognized by all parties to the Schengen Agreement, which must be valid for at least three months after the expiration date of the visa applied for (Note: If the passport or travel document is not valid in one or more Schengen countries, it is still possible to obtain a visa. This visa will then be restricted to those Schengen countries that accept the passport or travel documents).
2. One official visa application form, with one passport photo, photocopies or faxed copies of the original form will not be accepted. Please check the requirements for passport photos hereafter!
3. Proof establishing the purpose of your trip, for example, a letter of invitation, proof of participation in group travel, etc. If the purpose of your trip is business, please present business references as well (letter of employment, extract of Register of Companies (form 9 or 83)).
4. Proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of your intended stay (e.g. bank statements, letter of employer and bank statements of the company, formal obligation etc.).
5. Proof of lodging, i.e., hotel reservations, rental of a vacation home.
6. If staying with a family member or a friend: an official declaration of guarantee from relatives / friends in Switzerland is required, legalized trough the cantonal foreign police (this form is only available at the Embassy) plus a formal invitation letter from Switzerland sent directly to the Embassy by fax from the relatives / friends.
7. Proof that you can continue your trip after your visit to the Schengen countries, i.e., an outbound or return airline ticket.
8. If returning to Malaysia, a Malaysian visa or residence/work permit valid at least three months after return from your trip.
9. If the applicant is a minor, the application has to be presented personally by both parents or the guardian having custody of the child.
10. Proof of travel health/accident insurance for the duration of the travel, minimum cover of € 30.000.-- including a repatriation clause. The insurance must be valid in all Schengen countries. (Exception: Insurance is not required for transit visa and family members of EU citizens).

The above list is not comprehensive. Additional documents or proof may be requested in individual cases. All necessary documents should be handed in as originals plus one photocopy.

Please note that holders of a Schengen visa are still subject to immigration control upon first entry into a Schengen country and are therefore not guaranteed automatic entry even if they hold a Schengen visa.

Other visas, e.g. for stays exceeding 90 days or for the purpose of taking up any professional activity, remain subject to the national legislation of the relevant country. They must therefore be applied for at the Embassy of the relevant country only.

The visa offices of the Schengen countries are closed on most Malaysian holidays and on the national holidays of the individual countries. Please check with the visa office in question (refere to list at the end of this document).

Photograph specifications
To ensure that passport photographs satisfy the requirements for the visa applications they must meet the following specifications:

Format
Full front view of face, centered, features from chin to hairline and both sides of face must be clearly visible. From top to bottom face must fill 70-80% (between 32 and 36 mm) of the photograph. Front of head (including hair) must be completely visible, with dimensions of face as specified.

Contrast and sharpness
Whole face must be clear, with proper contrast and sharpness.

Lighting
Face must be well lighted, with no flash reflections, shadows or red eyes.

Background
Background must be uniform, light-colored (ideally a neutral grey) and provide a good contrast with face and hair. Best background for light-colored hair is medium-grey, for dark hair light-grey.
Photograph must show subject only (no other person or items permitted, important especially for photographs of young children). Shadows on background are unacceptable.

Photographic Quality
Photograph should be printed on high-quality paper, resolution at least 600 DPI (dots per inch), have no creases or marks and represent natural skin tones.

Head position, facial expression and direction
A position with the head leaning or turned (e.g. half profile) is unacceptable. Facial expression must be neutral and the mouth closed. Subject must look straight into the camera. Eyes must be open and well visible, not covered by hair or frame of glasses.

Glasses
Eyes must clearly visible (reflection son glasses, tinted or sun glasses are unacceptable).
The edge of the glasses or frame must not cover the eyes.

Austria (representing Malta)
Suite 10.01-02
Level 10
Wisma Goldhill
67, Jalan Raja Chulan
50200 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2057 0020
2057 8969
2057 9432
Fax. 2381 7168

Belgium (representing Luxembourg)
Suite 10.02
10th floor
Menara Tan & Tan
207, Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2162 0025
Fax. 2162 0023

Czech Republic
32, Jalan Mesra
Off Jalan Damai
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2142 7185
Fax. 2141 2727

Denmark (representing Iceland)
22nd floor
Wisma Denmark
86, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2032 2001/4/5
Fax. 2032 2012/15

Finland
5th floor
Wisma Chinese Chamber
258, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 4257 7746
4257 7332
Fax. 4257 7793

France
196, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2053 5500
Fax. 2053 5501

Germany
26th Floor
Menara Tan & Tan
207, Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2170 9666
Fax. 2161 9800/9801

Hungary
Suite 10.04
10th floor
Menara Tan & Tan
207, Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2163 7914/ 2163 7915
Fax. 2163 7918

Italy
99, Jalan U-Thant
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 4256 5122
Fax. 4257 3199

Netherlands
7th floor, South Block
The AmpWalk
218, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2168 6200
Fax. 2168 6240

Norway
53rd floor
Empire Tower,
Jalan Tun Razak
50400 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2175 0300
Fax. 2175 0308

Poland
No. 10, Lorong Damai 9
Off Jalan Damai
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2161 0805
Fax. 2164 9924

Slovakia
11, Jalan U-Thant
55000 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2115 0017
Fax. 2115 0014

Spain (representing Greece and Portugal)
200, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2148 4868
Fax. 2142 4582

Sweden
6th floor, Bangunan Angkasa Raya
123, Jalan Ampang
50450 Kuala Lumpur
Tel. 2052 2550
Fax. 2148 6325