Visas to Switzerland – the country offers a wide range of visas to foreigners who wish to travel and be in the country there for a short period or a longer period as residents.
You can choose a long-stay visa or a short-stay visa depending on your purpose of visit and the number of days you wish to be in the country.
If your period of stay is less than 90 days
you can apply for a short-stay visa. Foreigners who wish to be in Switzerland
for more than 90 days require a long-stay visa or a Permanent Resident permit
to do so.
Bern Switzerland
Why
Switzerland Is A Favourite Destination Of Foreigners?
Lying in the heart of Europe Switzerland is a small country neighbouring Austria, Italy, France and Germany. This country has an area of 41,285 sq.Kms and a very small population which is around 8 Million.
Switzerland has four national languages- French, Italian, Romansh and German. Covered in scenic beauty and perfectly designed towns and cities, this country has an aura that is not found anywhere else in the world.
What
Attracts International Tourists?
Switzerland has a booming economy and is one
of the countries that have the lowest rate of unemployment in the world. This
little country is also famous for its happy citizens and magnificent scenery.
The snow-capped mountains, waterfalls, green
pastures, and emerald coloured lakes make the Swiss Alps one of the most
beautiful travel destinations in the world. The Matterhorn, considered to be
the most iconic of all mountain peaks in the world, lies in the town of Zermatt.
The
Swiss have a Railway System that is pretty impressive. This country is also
famous for cheese and chocolates which are considered to be the best in the
world. All these factors attract tourists from around the globe to this tiny
nation.
What
Attracts International Students And International Workers?
The educational system in Switzerland is quite impressive. This country is home to some of the best Universities in the world that offers degrees and diplomas recognized anywhere in the world.
There are a good number of international students doing a bachelors/masters/doctoral degree in Switzerland.
Switzerland offers good job opportunities to
skilled workers and professionals from other nations. The country is also known
for its excellent lifestyle and welcoming nature of its citizens. No wonder it
is one of the most preferred destinations among international workers and
migrants.
The Type Of Visa To Switzerland
The type of visa that a foreigner requires to
travel to and be in Switzerland depends on his/her purpose of visit and the
number of days she/he wish to spend there. The purpose of the visit may include
the following.
For a
holiday/as a tourist
For
business
For
medical and health care
As a
student
To do
research
For
employment
As a
permanent resident
To join
your family
To do an
internship
To
attend a conference/workshop
As a
volunteer
Switzerland Visa Classifications
The visas to Switzerland are broadly
classified into 3 types. They are:
Visas
For Non-Immigrants
This is a temporary visa offered to
international students and workers (on contract) who wish to be in the country
for a fixed period.
Immigrant
Visas To Switzerland
Foreigners who wish to stay for a long-period
in Switzerland or live there permanently for work or as a migrant or for
retirement require an immigrant visa to do so.
Short-Stay
Visas To Switzerland
The short-stay visas are for people who wish
to be in Switzerland for a period less than 90 days as a tourist, for a
business, or to do a short-term course.
Do
All Foreigners Require A Visa To Travel To Switzerland?
No. Not all international tourists and
migrants require a visa to be in Switzerland. Depending on the country you
belong to you may or may not require a visa.
Citizens
Belonging To EU (European Union) / EFTA (European Free Trade Association)
Switzerland is not a part of the EU but belongs to the EFTA along with countries like Norway and Iceland.
The citizens belonging to the EU/EFTA do not require a visa to travel to those countries that are a part of the EU/EFTA and that includes Switzerland
However, to stay over 3 months they require a residence permit.
They also have to register themselves to work in this country
Non-
EFTA/EU Citizens
Citizens
who do not belong to the EFTA and EU require a visa to stay in Switzerland for
a period above 90 days
The visa
requirements for a short-stay (less than 90 days) depend on which country you
belong to.
Visa-free
entry to Switzerland is granted to certain countries (for short-stay)
A valid
travel document is necessary to enter the country
Non EFTA
and EU citizens require one of the long-stay visas to study or work in this
country
Short-Stay
Visas To Switzerland
The following are some of the short-stay
visas to Switzerland.
Visitors’
Visa/Tourist Visa
The
visitors’ visa/ the Tourist visa allows a foreigner to travel to Switzerland as
a tourist or to visit family and friends living there
This
maximum time allowed under this visa is 90 days within the 180 days
To get a
visitors’ visa you are required to submit an invitation letter from your
family/friends in Switzerland
Medical
Visa To Switzerland
This is a short-stay visa for medical treatment in Switzerland that allows you to be in the country for less than 90 days for medical and health care.
You have to submit the Medical reports/Doctors certificate for the care and treatment that you underwent in your country
Confirmation letter from the hospital in Switzerland where you are planning to undergo medical treatment
Proof of sufficient funds to cover your medical costs in Switzerland/ Proof of insurance coverage
Swiss Transit Visa
An airport transit visa in Switzerland is necessary for certain nationals travelling to another country through Switzerland. They are:
Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Congo
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana
Iran
Iraq
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Turkey
The people who are from the other nations can travel through Switzerland without a transit visa. However, they have to carry valid documents like a passport, air tickets, visas/travel documents
You are allowed to stay only within the airport-transit zone. Have to leave the country within 48 hours of arrival. Apply for this visa at least 15 days before your intended date of travel
Short-Stay Business Visa
This visa allows you to be in Switzerland for a short period for business reasons. The maximum time of stay in Switzerland under this visa is 90 days. Must have sufficient funds to support your entire stay in this country
Visa
For Official Visit
For
those who are a part of an official delegation who plan to be in Switzerland
for a conference or other official events
Purpose
and duration of visit must be mentioned along with the valid supporting
documents
Visa
For Sports/Cultural/Movie/Religious Events
For
religious leaders/sportspersons/ artists/actors to attend competitions, a stage
performance show, movie shooting, a conference/religious meeting
This is
a short-stay visa
The
applicants have to submit valid documents supporting their qualifications and
skills
Short-Stay
Study Visas To Switzerland
This
study visa allows a foreign national to do a short-course in Switzerland
Seminars,
training programs, internship training, Training related to employment
The
maximum period of the course should be less than 90 days/ 3 months
To do a
longer course a student visa is required
Non-Immigrant
Visas To Switzerland
Foreign nationals who do not belong to the EFTA/EU who wish to stay in Switzerland for a period above 3 months require a long-stay visa along with a permit for residence.
EU/EFTA nationals do not require a Swiss visa. However, they have to get a valid residence permit.
The long-stay visa to Switzerland is referred to as the National Visa (Category D). The Cantonal Migration Authorities issues the long-stay visas to foreigners
Foreigners who wish to stay in Switzerland for a period longer than 90 days but who do not wish to migrate permanently has to apply for one among the following permits for residence.
These permits are for those people who wish to do a course or work in Switzerland for a fixed period
L
Permit (Residence Permit)
It is a
residence permit for a short-period
This is
issued as a biometric card
This is
issued for 12 months and is non-renewable
A job/
student contract that lasts up to a year
B
Permit (Residence Permit)
It is
issued as a temporary permit for residence initially
This is
also a biometric card
Could
last for a period between 1 and 5 years
This
permit is renewable
For a
longer job/student contract
Student
Visas To Switzerland
International
students who do not belong to the EFTA or the EU require a student visa to do a
graduate course/post-graduate course /a doctoral degree in Switzerland
The
student may work a maximum of 15 hours every week on completing 6 months under
this visa
They may
work full time during the holidays
Visas
For Temporary Workers In Switzerland
Only
those who have already been offered a job in Switzerland can apply for a work
visa
Temporary
work visas to Switzerland are for those who have got employment for a fixed
period (Contract)
The
immigration rules in Switzerland do not permit a foreigner to come to this
country on another visa and look for a job there
You can
get a temporary visa for work in this country as an au pair. However, you
should be between 18 and 25 to get that visa
You have
to get the placement through an agency that works under the license of SECO
(State Secretariat for Economic Affairs)
Family
Visa (Non-Immigrant)
This is
a family reunion visa that falls under Category D
You get
a temporary permit for residence with this visa
For the
family members/relatives of the Swiss resident/citizen can come to this country
for a limited period that is more than 90 days. The following family members
are eligible for this visa.
The
spouse
Children
Parents/Grandparents
of a Swiss citizen or a resident in the
EFTA/EU
Submit
all the valid documents including documents proving your relationship with the
Swiss resident/citizen
Proof of
sufficient finances and insurance coverage
Immigrant Visas To Switzerland
A foreigner who wishes to migrate to Switzerland or plan to live in the country indefinitely has to apply for a Category D National VisaA temporary B residence permit is also required for those people coming to Switzerland for reuniting with family, for long-term work etc
Switzerland offers permanent visas to only those individuals who satisfy certain requirements set by the country
Permanent resident permits and visas are offered only if the individual has stayed in the country for a minimum of 5-10 years
Besides they should also meet the following requirements:
Ability to speak as well as write at least one of the national languages of Switzerland
Assessment by the Swiss authorities to prove that you are not a national threat in any manner
No criminal records
You can support yourself without having to depend on Social welfare
Proper integration into the society in Switzerland
Given below are some of the major types of
immigrant visas to Switzerland
Visas
For Family Reunion
Using
this visa the family members who are not from the EFTA/EU can join residents in
Switzerland who have citizenship or is a permanent resident there
Parents/grandparents
may also join the Swiss resident if he/she is from the EU/EFTA
Those
living in Switzerland under the temporary resident permits(L and B) do not have
the rights to bring in their family automatically
However,
they may get the consent to bring their family if they can prove they have
sufficient means to accommodate and provide for them without having to depend
on funds for the public
Students
who are on temporary residence permits cannot bring their family to Switzerland
Children
below the age of 12 including legally adopted children get the C permit for
permanent residency while joining their parents in this country. They don’t
need to meet the requirements for residence.
Switzerland
Work Visas
A work
contract has to be secured in Switzerland before applying for a work visa
The
prospective employer in this country submits an authorization request with the
SEM (State Secretariat for Migration)
This
authorization is given only to those citizens who do not belong to the EFTA/EU
They are
usually managers, highly skilled professionals, specialists (They can apply for
the job only if the Swiss quota permits it
There
should be no EU/EFTA nationals who are qualified to do the job
The B
permit for residence is granted for long-term job contracts which may be
renewed until you meet the requirements to apply for a C permit for settlement
On
obtaining the C permit you can move freely between the cantons in Switzerland
and apply for employment anywhere in the country
Business
Visas To Switzerland
Only the
citizens/Permanent residents in Switzerland can set up their businesses in
Switzerland in general
This
country offers an investment visa for international entrepreneurs who can pay a
lump sum tax annually which could be between 150,000 CHF and 1 Million CHF
You’ll
have to prove to the authorities that your business venture will create several
job opportunities and economic gains
The
investor’s visa in Switzerland gets you a permanent residency in the country
Swiss
Retirement Visa
Citizens
who do not belong to the EFTA/EU can choose to retire in this country on a
Category D national visa if they meet the following requirements.
Take a
Swiss health insurance policy
Have
sufficient means to support their retirement lives in Switzerland
Have
close family ties who are residents/citizens there
Own
property in Switzerland or travel quite frequently there
On completing
all the requirements while on a B permit for residency they have the chance to
apply for a C permit
Only
limited permits are granted by the SEM every year
The
chance of getting one depends on how strong your application is
They may
also apply for the Investor’s visa in Switzerland if they have the sufficient
money required for investments
Refugees/Asylum
Seekers
Asylum
can be claimed by any foreign nationals in Switzerland
The
application can be made at one of the airports in the country or a federal
asylum centre
The
application should be supported by the valid evidence available on persecution
in their native country/ safety threats
During
the process of reviewing the applications, the Asylum seekers can stay in the
asylum reception centres
You
cannot apply for Asylum in Switzerland from a different country, however,
he/she may apply for it at the Swiss consulate/embassy within that country
They’ll
determine whether the application is genuine and grant a temporary visa
N Permit
is granted and they may take up employment after 90 days of stay in the country
After
the successful completion of processing, they’ll be granted B Permits for
residence
They
have the chance to apply for C permits in future and eventually could be
granted citizenship in the country
F permit
is granted to those asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected but
for some reason are unable to leave the country.
The
years spent in this country under the F permit only counts as half years for
requirements for permanent residency
Residency/Swiss Citizenship
A permit
for residence is required for every foreigner who plans to stay in Switzerland
for a period above 90 days. This includes citizens from the EU and EFTA
The
applications have to be submitted at the cantonal migration office that
operates locally at the place where you intend to stay
Different
Types Of Permits For Residence
Given below are the different types of
permits for residence issued by the Swiss immigration authorities for foreign
nationals.
L
Permit (For Residence)
Residence
permits valid for 12 months and cannot be renewed.
This is
a short-term permit
B
Permit
Renewable
temporary permit for residence
Valid
for a year
C Permit For Residence
This is a settlement permit that grants
permanent residency in Switzerland
Can be applied after 5 years if you are a
citizen of the EU/EFTA/USA/Canada
If you are a resident of a third world country
you can apply for this permit after 10 years
Ci Permit
For the family of international workers in the
governmental organizations/embassies/consulates in Switzerland
The length of validity depends on the validity
of the family member’s visa validity
N Permit
For Asylum seekers in Switzerland
F Permit
For asylum seekers whose applications have been
rejected
This visa is temporary
S Permit
Conditional permit that is temporary for people
who require protection
G Permit
Cross border permits for commuters who work in
Switzerland but live in a neighbouring country
The permit is renewable but does not get any
rights of the residents
Permits
must be renewed at least 2 weeks before the date of expiry at the nearest
cantonal immigration office.
Applying For Citizenship In Switzerland
Valid C permit holders may apply for citizenship
after 10 years of residence in Switzerland
You may apply for citizenship in 5 years if you
qualify for the process of simplified naturalization. (Eg: Married to a citizen
of Switzerland)
Once you get citizenship you get the right to
vote
You will also have to fulfil certain obligations
in Switzerland like doing military service (Applicable to all men in
Switzerland)
Once you arrive in the country you have to get
yourself registered at the nearest Residents Registration Office within 2
weeks. If you intend to stay longer than 3 months you have to collect your
permit for residence from the cantonal migration office closest to your place
of stay.
In case your visa application gets rejected you can send a letter for appeal at the Swiss Embassy/Consulate within your native country. You have to clearly state the grounds on which you intend to contest the decision by the Swiss immigration authorities.