General Schengen Visa information

Switzerland has joined the Schengen visa scheme on 12th December 2008.
In order to apply for a visa in person you need to book an appointment by calling the following premium rate number: 0906 577 1222 (£1.50 per minute). Monday - Friday from 08:30 h-17:30 h.

1. Do you need a visa for Switzerland?
   In order to find out whether you require a visa or not, please click here.
   
   

2. Applying for a visa
   a) you can apply in person at the Embassy by appointment only by calling the premium- rate number 09065771222 (£1.50 per minute) Afterwards, the application has to be submitted at the Embassy of Switzerland, 16-18 Montagu Place, W1H 2BQ London, appointments between 09:00 h and 10:00 h only.
   b) you can use the drop-box-facilities (see webpage: http://ch.vfsglobal.co.uk/Dropbox.aspx)
   c) you can apply by post – see Embassy-Webpage: www.eda.admin.ch/london – postal application
   If you are not a permanent resident in the UK you should apply at the Embassy in your country of residence.
   d) For inquiries/appointments regarding work- and resident-permit, student- and spouse-visa only, please go to the webpage www.swissembassy.org.uk – visa and link “inquiries”, fill in the form and send it off.
   Please note, that NO information is given by phone.
   If you are not a permanent resident in the UK you should apply at the Embassy in your country of residence.

3. General requirements for all applications
   

	Passport + copy, UK-resident-permit (copy) - passport and Uk-resident-permit have to be valid for at least three months beyond the requested stay in Switzerland/p>
	2 recent photographs
	Proof of funds in form of the last 3 months bank-statements
	letter of employment, student enrolment confirmation on a original letterhead
	Transport documentation airline or e-ticket + copy or rail ticket + copy CAREFUL: The Embassy cannot be held responsible for any delay or if the visa is refused.
	Proof of health insurance (travel insurance) - minimum medical coverage £25,000.00 to cover the whole period of the visa. Insurance can be purchased from Post Offices, banks, travel agencies or BUPA. Please make sure that the document includes the following information: name of applicant, duration of the insurance, cover details, provide the policy if necessary. A policy number only is not sufficient.
	If you wish your passport to be returned by post please bring a pre-paid recorded delivery envelope from the post office with you as we will return the passport by post. Otherwise a postage fee (5.-- £) will be charged.
	Proof of a hotel-reservation or invitation from your host (please check the relevant leaflet – see link visa-categories)
	Applicant of an EU/EEA-spouse should bring the passport of the spouse and original marriage certificate. If the certificate is not in English, French, German or Italian a translation is required.
	Your UK permit must be endorsed in your passport and should be valid for another 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 11.00 h - 12.00 h.

How long is a visa valid?
It all depends on the submitted documents. Only in exceptional cases are applicants granted a visa for a visit of more than 90 days’ duration, but never longer than a year.

Where is the visa valid?
An entry visa is normally valid in all Schengen countries. In exceptional cases a visa may be granted for entry into the country that issued it. A visa granted for longer than 90 days is only valid for entering and staying in Switzerland.

Cost of visa
Visa-fee is £55.00. The fee is payable on submission of the visa application and non-refundable. Payment should be made in cash or by postal order or according to instructions of the relevant visa-office/travel agency. There is no visa fee for the following applicants.

1. children under 6 years of age
2. school pupils, students and accompanying teachers on study or educational trips
3. researchers
4. for EU/EEA-spouses and their children (under 21). The original Marriage Certificate or a full Birth Certificate with parent's name must be submitted together with spouse's/parent's original passport. If the certificate is not in English, French, German or Italian a translation is required
   

Download Visa Application Form

If you wish to apply for a Swiss Visa, you can download the Visa Application Form here.

Download Instructions:

The forms are in PDF format.
You will need an Adobe Acrobat Reader to view and download this form.
Please click here to download Adobe Acrobat Reader.

To download a form:
1. Click on the form link
2. When the form opens, save the form on your computer.

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