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Application for Schengen visa and procedure

The Embassy of Switzerland in Kazakhstan have outsourced the application process for short-term visas (so called Schengen visas) to the external service provider VFS Global.

Our external service provider will support you during the application process. VFS Global is responsible for receiving your visa application, checking the completeness and acceptability of your application form and application documents, collecting biometric data, receiving the visa fee and other fees (service fee and optional fees) and returning your passport. The decision whether or not to issue a visa is taken by the Swiss Embassy only, VFS Global is not involved in the decision.

The earliest you can file a visa application: 6 months before your intended trip.

The latest you can file a visa application: at most 15 days before your intended trip.

For detailed information on visa please refer to the Webpage of  VFS Global Kazakhstan

Mobile Visa Service, for your safety & convenience, you can apply for a visa from a location or your choice with Visa At Your Doorsteep. (This service is only available in Kazakhstan.)

To book an appointment for Mobile Visa Service, visit VFS Global Vayd

You are permanent resident in Tajikistan:

Please note that from 1 October 2025, Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days are issued by the Embassy of Switzerland in Astana in cooperation with the VFS GLOBAL Visa Center in Dushanbe.

To book an appointment, please visit the website.

Important note: The total processing time for a visa application submitted in Dushanbe will take a minimum of 35 calendar days. This includes the transfer and processing of the visa application, and the return of the passport to Dushanbe.

To avoid any inconvenience, you can submit your visa application as early as six months before your planned travel date.

As a general rule, a decision is taken by the Consulate within 15 days. This period may, in individual cases, be extended.

Some Schengen States require that they be consulted on visa applications submitted to other Schengen States by citizens of certain countries. The consultation process may take up to 14 calendar days. Such consultation is currently required for nationals of the countries listed here:

List of countries

It is therefore recommended to submit the visa application early, at the earliest 6 months before the planned journey.  

The reasons for refusal are notified to the applicant using a standard form.

You have the right to appeal within 30 days of receipt of the refusal. For information on appeal procedures, please refer to the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration.

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Biometric data (fingerprints) are generally collected every 59 months from the age of 12 years from the first recording.  

If you are a family member of a Swiss, European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizen, you are entitled to submit your application directly at the responsible Embassy or Consulate of Switzerland. An appointment is mandatory and must be booked in advance.

Citizens of the EU and the EFTA and their family members

If you wish to complain about the behavior of the consular staff and, if applicable, about the external service provider or about the process, please contact the competent representation in writing.

Warning: Visa Scams

We observe rising scams related to visas, work permits, and employment services. Scammers, posing as companies or individuals, advertise online, on social media and on platforms like Telegram, claiming they can secure visa appointments or provide documents like Schengen visas, work contracts, invitation letters etc. (which turn out to be fake) for a fee.

These scams are sophisticated, often using fake embassy letters or job offers.

Warning: Romance Scams

Romance scams are also on the rise, where online acquaintances ask for financial support for a trip to Switzerland. Claims of fines, taxes, or deposits that are supposedly to be paid before departure are often fake. For more information, visit Swiss Crime Prevention (only available in German, French and Italian).

Be cautious when meeting people on the internet or social media and verify all communications. Only trust information from the official Swiss Embassy website. If in doubt, contact the visa section directly.

 

Внимание: Мошенничество с визами

Мы наблюдаем рост случаев мошенничества, связанных с визами, разрешениями на работу и услугами по трудоустройству на работу. Мошенники, выдающие себя за  компании или частные лица, размещают объявления в Интернете, в социальных сетях или платформах, подобных  Telegram, утверждая, что они могут за определенную плату обеспечить назначение встречи для получения визы или предоставить такие документы как Шенген виза, договора о приеме на работу, письма-приглашения и прочее (которые оказываются поддельными).

Такие мошенники очень изощренные, часто используют поддельные письма от Посольства или предложения о работе.

 

Внимание: Романтические аферы

Растет также число случаев мошенничества, связанных с романтическими отношениями, когда знакомые по Интернету люди просят оказать финансовую помощь для поездки в Швейцарию. Требования о выплате штрафов, налогов, предоставления депозитов, которые якобы должны быть оплачены до поездки, часто оказываются поддельными. Для получения более подробной информации посетите, пожалуйста: Swiss Crime Prevention (доступно только на немецком, французском и итальянском языках).

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Last update 17.09.2025