The VFS Global procedure is not compulsory. Applicants can also go directly to the responsible Swiss representation to submit their applications with prior appointment booked through VFS Global.
Where to apply for a Schengen visa?
| My place of residence | My visa application should be submitted to |
|---|---|
| Beijing consular area: All other residents of China |
VFS Global |
| Shanghai consular area: Residents of Shanghai, Jiangsu, Anhui and Zhejiang |
VFS Global |
| Guangzhou consular area: Residents of Guangdong, Fujian, Guangxi, Hainan, Jiangxi and Hunan |
VFS Global |
| Hong Kong consular area: Residents of Hong Kong and Macau |
VFS Global |
| Mongolia |
VFS Global The Embassy of the Czech Republic represents Switzerland in Mongolia |
| People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) | Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing |
Official passport holders
Applications can be lodged directly at the Visa Section counter of the Embassy of Switzerland in Beijing and the Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai and Guangzhou.
Family Members of Swiss or EU/EAA Citizens
If you are a family member (this includes a spouse, registered partner, a child who is under 21 years and depending on parents in law of a Swiss national or EU/EAA citizen) you may lodge the application at VFS Global. The appointment booking is free of charge but the service fee needs to be paid.
Family members as defined above shall keep the right to submit their visa application directly at the Swiss representation. If you choose to do so, please note that an appointment still needs to be booked through VFS Global.
Please be aware, if you choose to submit your application directly at the Embassy or Consulate General the appointment time will exceed the appointment waiting time of VFS Global. In urgent cases, it is therefore recommended to lodge the visa application directly at VFS Global.
Hong Kong
If you are a resident of Hong Kong or Macau please refer to our Consulate General of Hong Kong directly.
Kindly note that the application has to be submitted at the Schengen representation of the country of your main destination. Tourists who spend equal time in several Schengen states are required to apply for the visa at the representation of the country where they enter the Schengen area.
Since 12.10.2015 all diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in Hong Kong have to capture the biometric data (finger scans and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.
If no scan of your fingerprints has been captured yet, personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory.
You will still have to appear in person to give your fingerprints in case the previously collected fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality.
Personal appearance and fingerprint scan is not necessary for children under the age of 12.
The Swiss representation reserves the right to ask the applicant to appear in person if a personal interview is required.
Kindly bring all required documents along with you (for information please refer to the different leaflets on this page). Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.
Please be advised that supporting documents from Mainland China (e.g. bank statements, proof of employment, travel insurances or itineraries) will not be accepted and that applicants with such documents will have to be referred to a Swiss representation in Mainland China even if the applicant holds a valid residence permit or visa for Hong Kong or Macau.
In order to schedule an appointment to submit your visa application at the Consulate General, you must contact VFS Global.
