Switzerland joined the Schengen visa scheme on 12 December 2008.

Processing will take a minimum of 7 working days from the date of appointment/receipt of documents. Please note that visas cannot be issued on the same day.

How to apply for a visa:
In order to find out whether you need a visa or not please click here

Where to apply:
If you are spending more time in Switzerland than in any other Schengen country(ies)
OR
if you are spending the same amount of time in Switzerland as in the other Schengen country(ies) and are entering Switzerland first, you may obtain a visa from one of the following:

	In person by appointment only at the Swiss Visa Application Centre,1-8 Bateman's Building, South Soho Square, London W1D 3EN. To book an appointment click here For additional information please call 0871 3762101 (8:30 - 17:30 Mon – Fri).
	In person only; at the Swiss Visa Application Centre, The Edinburgh Office, 18 Forth Street, Edinburgh EH1 3LH (for people living in Scotland only) Office timings 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (Mon – Fri) or call 0871 3762101 (8:30 - 17:30 Mon – Fri). (Please note office will be closed on 27/01/2012)
	In person by appointment only at the Swiss Visa Application Centre,. `4th floor, 40 Princess Street, Manchester, M1 6DE. To book an appointment click here or call 0871 3762101 (8:30 - 17:30 Mon – Fri). PLEASE NOTE – FROM WEDNESDAY 01/02/2012 THE OFFICE WILL RELOCATE TO 4TH FLOOR, 40 PRINCESS STREET, MANCHESTER, M1 6DE
	In person only; at the Swiss Visa Application Centre, Temple Court 13a Cathedral Road, Cardiff CF11 9HA (for people living in Wales only) Office timings 8:30 am – 12:00 pm (Mon – Fri) or call 0871 3762101 (8:30 - 17:30 Mon – Fri).
	There will be a charge for these services; please enquire with the agencies.
	In person by appointment only at the Swiss Embassy, 16-18 Montagu Place, London W1H2BQ. To book an appointment only please call 0871 376 2101 (8:30 - 17:30 Mon – Fri). Please fill out and print the relevant application form for the category of visa you are applying for (ie Tourist, Business etc), using the ‘short term visas’ link above left, and bring this form with you when attending for your appointment.

Where to apply for a Work, Student, Residence or Spouse’s Permit, or EU Spouse Visa:

At the Swiss Embassy, 16-18 Montagu Place, London W1H 2BQ.
Opening hours are: Monday to Friday 10.00 am – 11.30 am (except British and Swiss public holidays) without prior appointment. For requirements see  http://ch.vfsglobal.co.uk
For inquiries you can contact the Embassy by email via the following webpage:
www.swissembassy.org.uk – visa - link: “inquiries” - fill in the form and submit it.
If you are not a permanent resident in the UK you should apply at the Embassy in your country of residence.

Travel facilities for school pupils

According to the Decision of the European Council of 30.11.1994, based on Article K.3.2.b of the European Union Treaty :
A Member State shall not require a visa for a school pupil who is not a national of a Member State but who is legally resident in another Member State and who seeks to enter its territory either for a short stay or transit, if the following conditions are fulfilled:

1.	In the framework of a school excursion, the school pupil is travelling as a member of a group of a school pupils from a general education school;
2.	The group is accompanied  by a teacher from the school in question;
3.	The accompanying teacher must be able to present a list (on the accepted form) of the schoolchildren he/she is accompanying, issued by the school in question;
4.	The list must contain the names of ALL travelling pupils;
5.	The list must describe the purpose and the circumstances of the intended stay; .
6.	The pupils from third countries must be in possession of a travel document for crossing the border in question.

British Authority to be contacted directly by the school:
British Council Information Centre
Bridgewater House
58 Whitworth Street
Manchester M1 6BB

Tel. +44 (0) 161 957 7755

IMPORTANT:

	All Fees (Visa, Service and Courier) for applications submitted in Manchester, Cardiff & Edinburgh can be paid by Credit/Debit card, or in the form of a Postal order payable to 'The Swiss visa Application Centre'. We regret that cash/ cheques cannot be accepted.
	Applications submitted in Manchester, Cardiff & Edinburgh will incur a mandatory courier charge of £ 14.80.
	For applicants who are minors, a full birth certificate, a letter of consent for the minor to travel, signed by both parents, . as well as copies of the signed parents' passports are required. Both parents must sign the application form.
	Passport and UK residence permit have to be valid for at least three months beyond the requested stay in Switzerland
	Your UK permit must be valid for at least three months after your departure from the Schengen area.
	All supporting documents have to be submitted together and in duplicate (original and photocopy).
	Diplomatic Missions in the UK may lodge their applications without prior appointment between 10.00 am - 11.30 am
	It is suggested that you apply at least one month prior to departure, but not more than three months before the planned entry.
	Processing will take a minimum of 7 working days from the date of appointment/receipt of documents. Please note that visas cannot be issued on the same day.
	For the following nationals the visa processing can take a minimum of 14 working days: Afghanistan, Algeria, Bangladesh, Belarus, Egypt (except diplomatic passport holders), Iraq, Iran, Yemen, Jordan, Kazakhstan (diplomatic passport only), Dem. Rep. of Congo, Lebanon, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, North Korea, Nigeria, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Palestine.