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Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Important

Issuing Schengen visa (type C) for Switzerland starting June 26, 2021

On June 23, 2021, the Federal Council decided to lift the entry restrictions for Switzerland for persons from third countries.

Who can apply for a short visa application (type C)?

The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi is currently accepting all visa categories for persons arriving from third countries like India, who can prove, that they have been fully vaccinated.

Booking of a prior appointment is mandatory for all application type. VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd. is operational and accepting visa application at the centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bangalore, Chennai, Cochin and Hyderabad.

Vaccines

For fully vaccinated third-country nationals with CHE, EU and WHO recognized vaccines, the regular entry requirements will be applicable again from June 26, 2021. This also means that these travelers no longer have to be quarantined after arriving in Switzerland.

Entry restrictions continue to apply to foreign nationals who are not fully vaccinated with CHE, EU and WHO recognized vaccines and are without rights of free movement, entering from risk countries or regions and who do not belong to any of the exceptional categories of the Covid-19 Regulation 3. For additional information, please consult the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

If you are not vaccinated and you qualify as a "hardship case" according to SEM regulation ff 1,5 dated 26.06.2021 

Consult the SEM-Website and choose the following options ;                Category: Entering Switzerland > Situation of special necessity > What constitutes a case of special necessity?

If your application falls into a so-called hardship case, please contact us directly at newdelhi.visa@eda.admin.ch

Information about children less than 18 years of age

Children below the age of 18 years do not need to be vaccinated.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are special rules for people entering Switzerland i.e. regarding the vaccination. Kindly refer to the information of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.

COVID-test

RT-PCR Test: Please check with your airline if a PCR Test report is required for boarding the airplane.

VFS - Visa appointments

To arrange for an appointment, kindly visit VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd (Long waiting times are to be expected).

The Swiss Government has decided to temporarily increase the service fee for Visa applications in Visa Application Centers (VAC) of External Service Providers (ESP) due to supplementary expenses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Transit to Switzerland

For the moment, there is no direct flight between India and Switzerland. Transit through other countries might be restricted. Please check with the authorities of concerned countries.

Travelling from Switzerland to another Schengen State

Visiting other Schengen countries internally from Switzerland might be restricted. Please check with the authorities of concerned countries.

Replacement Visa

Holders of an expired Schengen visa, who could not use the visa due to Corona travel restrictions, cannot receive a free substitute visa.

All visa applications submitted all over India will be processed by the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.

Where to apply for Schengen visas:  VFS Global Services Pvt. Ltd.

In order to allow you to plan your visit to Switzerland, kindly be informed that

  • the processing time at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi is under normal circumstances between 7 to 10 working days after the submission at any VFS Visa Application Center in India. We however recommend  you to start the application procedure as early as possible, but not earlier than 6 months prior to your entry date to the Schengen states, in order to avoid any inconvenience with your travel dates.
  • Application accepted at VFS in Delhi, Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kolkata,  Cochin, Mumbai, Puducherry, Chennai and Pune will be submitted to the Embassy on the 2nd or 3rd working day

We wish you a pleasant stay in Switzerland !

The Embassy of Switzerland is using personal information of our clients for the sole purpose of the visa application procedure; no information is disclosed to a third party.

Mutual Visa Exemption for Diplomats

Switzerland and India have signed an Agreement on mutual visa exemptions for holders of Swiss and Indian diplomatic passports. The agreement entered into force on 7th December 2016 and is valid for an indefinite period of time.

Holders of Swiss and Indian diplomatic passports are exempt for entries and stays of a maximum of 90 days per period of 180 days, provided that they do not pursue independent or other gainful employment in the visiting country. Not included in this agreement are professional transfers of Swiss and Indian diplomats to work at the Embassies, Consulates of Permanent Missions in India and Switzerland.

Holders of Swiss and Indian special or service passports are not included in this Agreement and need to apply for a visa before entering Switzerland and India.

Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. A basic distinction is made between citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and those of other countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the responsible authority in Switzerland.

SEM

Since Switzerland’s adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements came into force (12 December 2008), Swiss representations abroad are able to issue certain categories of visa, depending on the length of stay and purpose of the journey in Switzerland. Please select one of the following options.

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

National visa for a stay of more than 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Airport transit visa

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Labour / Work permits

Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.

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Last update 04.08.2021