Where to apply for a Schengen visa?
| My place of residence | My visaapplication should be submitted to |
|---|---|
| Ukraine | TLScontact |
| Moldova | see Representation agreement below |
Without any appointment made in advance, the application will neither be accepted by TLScontact, nor by the Swiss Embassy. The visa application can be lodged 3 months before the planned departure at the earliest. The maximum validity for a Schengen visa may not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.
Introduction of the VIS
On 11 October 2011 the Schengen member states introduced the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS will also be used to store the biometric data (10 fingerprints and the facial image) of the visa applicants. The diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states will be gradually connected to the system region by region.
Along with the connection to the VIS on 23 June 2015 all diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in Ukraine have to capture the biometric data of persons applying for a Schengen visa.
If the 10-digit finger scans have not been collected yet, the personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory. If finger scans were previously collected and a visa has been granted, then the applicant does not have to give new finger scans for the next visa application(s). In such cases it is mandatory to provide a copy of the visa sticker issued after 23.06.2015.
Applicants still have to appear in person to give fingerprints in case the previously captured fingerprints are of insufficient quality. Finger scans are not required from children under the age of 12.
Processing time
Processing time for short term visas (Schengen, type C): 6 working days*, then the passport will be given back at the visa application center TLS (or if requested at the time of the application sent back by post) with a visa or possibly a different decision by the embassy.
Applicants with a stamp in the passport from the embassy
Customers who have already submitted an application to the embassy – status indicated with a stamp of the embassy in the passport – (declaration of guarantee), can submit the passport without a prior appointment from Monday to Thursday from 08.30 to 09.30 a.m. at the counter of the embassy to obtain the visa or to get information about the status of the application. Processing time for authorized visa: 1 business day *. Return of passports is Monday to Thursday 14.00-14.30 p.m. and Friday 11.00-11.30 a.m.
Representation agreement
If a State does not have its proper visa section in a country or region, the delivery of a Schengen visa can be delegated to another Schengen State member with an agreement between both countries concerned.
The agreement allows the appointed representation to represent and handle Schengen visa applications within its own competence without consulting the other represented State.
| Country/Region | Schengen State which represents Switzerland | My visa application should be submitted to |
|---|---|---|
| Moldova | Republik Ungarn | Common Application Center der Republik Ungarn in Chisinau (en, md, ru) |
Warning: fraud risk in the vicinity of the visa application center TLS and the embassy
Visa Applicants may be addressed in the surrounding areas of the visa application center TLS embassy by questionable individuals (often young men between 25 and 40) who offer various "services" for excessive fees such as sale of travel medical insurances, translations, money exchange, organization of taxis or accommodations. Some of these individuals won’t hesitate to pretend to be employees of the Embassy.
Beware: these individuals are in no way working for the embassy or TLS. They do not act on behalf of or in accordance with the embassy or TLS. The embassy advises to the visitors the following:
- Avoid contact with people who offer “services” outside the premises of the embassy or outside the application center TLS.
- Reject any offers for services.
- Prepare your visa application according to the information on the website of the embassy before you visit the application center of TLS or the embassy.
- Refuse to pay any money to someone offering to help you access the counters of the embassy or of the application of TLS; apart from the booking fee for the appointment through the outsourcing company TLS, the access to the counter of the embassy is any case free of charge.
