A visa to Switzerland: do Russians need it and how to apply for it yourself

More than half of Switzerland's territory is occupied by the highest mountains in Europe - the Alps. The country is famous for its high-quality ski resorts - the favorite vacation spots of many famous and rich people. There is a high level of service in all sectors.

The most reliable banks in the world, a high-quality education system, first-class medical care - the Swiss have a lot to be proud of. Residents of the country approach every task thoroughly.

Zurich, Switzerland

The castles of Switzerland were built to last for centuries, to this day they have retained their beautiful appearance and look royally beautiful against the backdrop of the mountains. Visiting them is the most interesting part of a tourist trip.

Life in the country is expensive, but the incomes of working citizens, including visitors, are also high. Therefore, people come here for this purpose.

Main types of visas

A Schengen visa to Switzerland is required if the trip is for the following purposes:

tourism (tourist visa);
private visit (guest);
education (study visa);
professional purpose (business visa);
treatment (medical);
travel through Switzerland (transit visa).

Important! If you plan to visit other Schengen countries, then the largest number of days should be spent in Switzerland.

Violation of this condition may result in refusal of subsequent requests for entry permission.

Schengen is issued for 90 days. This is the amount of time a traveler is entitled to stay in the country during a six-month period.

When a longer stay is necessary, for example, for university students, working citizens or those wishing to reunite with family, then a national visa is issued.

Migration development in 2021

By the way, did you know that while the total number of foreigners living in Switzerland has increased in 2021, the number of new arrivals here from abroad has decreased noticeably? According to data published by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) last week, the coronavirus crisis has had a significant impact on annual immigration figures.
The number of new arrivals to the country and registered as permanent residents (total 136,962 people) decreased by 2.6% in 2021 compared to 2021. In the first quarter of 2021, immigration rates continued to increase due to positive economic prospects, but in the second quarter they have already decreased, largely due to the measures taken by the authorities to counter the pandemic. In the third and fourth quarters of 2021, the easing of restrictions led to a “catch-up” effect, especially with regard to the influx of international university students.

Emigration rates have also fallen, even though Switzerland has been the country hit hardest by the coronavirus compared to other regions of the world. Thus, last year 2021, 70,270 permanent residents from among foreign citizens left the Confederation forever or for a very long time, which is 12.1% less than in 2019. For non-permanent residents, a 14.1% decrease in emigration was recorded, with a total of 55,885 such departures.

At the end of 2021, more than two million (2,151,854 people) foreign citizens lived in Switzerland, an increase of 1.9% compared to 2021. Of these, almost 1.5 million are citizens of EU/EFTA countries and the UK, while citizens of “third countries” account for less than 700,000 people. The total population of Switzerland as of 2021 is 8.6 million.

End of insertion

The list of countries and regions with an increased risk of infectionExternal link is updated approximately every two weeks by officials of the Federal Office of Health (BAG). Persons planning to enter Switzerland should check for themselves, if necessary by contacting the Swiss consulate in their country, whether their country is on such a list.

This SWI Portal does not guarantee the accuracy or relevance of the following countries and regions considered by the Swiss authorities as “at-risk countries and regions”.

How much does a visa to Switzerland cost in 2021?

The cost of an entry permit directly depends on its type and the place where documents are submitted.

The consular fee for processing an application for a Schengen visa is a fixed amount of 35 euros. Payment is made in rubles at the rate established by the Swiss Embassy.

When submitting an application to the visa center, each applicant must pay 1,800 rubles for service and separately for additional services, if any were ordered.

Submitting documents to obtain a national visa includes payment of a visa fee of 4,080 rubles for adults and 2,400 rubles for children aged 6-12 years.

Children under 6 years of age can receive a free review of any type of visa application.

Basel, Switzerland

Prices

For Russian citizens, the visa fee for the Embassy staff to accept and review the application will have to pay 35 euros. For foreigners the price is 60 euros. If you need to urgently process documents, you will have to pay 70 euros.
How much does a visa cost if it is long-term? It will cost 60 euros (children's 35).
When processing documents through the Visa Center, the visa fee will be 22 euros.
Some categories of citizens do not need to pay the fee. These are small children under 6 years old and people with disabilities.
The cost of the visa is paid in ruble equivalent at the time of applying for the visa. If documents are processed through the Embassy, then payment is made using a bank, and at the Visa Application Center - through a cash desk. There is a possibility of a commission of 150 rubles. You must keep your payment receipt.

Note! If the Embassy refuses a visa, can I get my money back? No, the fee is non-refundable.

How to get a visa to Switzerland yourself

It is not at all necessary to agree to expensive assistance from travel companies in the visa application process. Coping with the submission of documents through a visa center or consulate to obtain permission to visit the country is quite a feasible task.

Regardless of the application method, fingerprinting is mandatory. Exceptions include children under 6 years of age and people who are temporarily or permanently unable to have their fingerprints taken due to injuries. The frequency of the procedure is at least once every 5 years.

Via Visa Application Center

The TLScontact visa center has the exclusive right to represent the interests of the Swiss Embassy in Russia. The first step you need to take to establish cooperation is to create a personal account.

After creating an account, you will have the opportunity to familiarize yourself with an individual list of documents, select the date and time of your visit to the CC, and find out the status of the application after submitting documents.

Be sure to print and sign the confirmation of your online appointment at the VC and attach it to the main package of papers.

If the applicant fails to appear at the specified time, a new account must be activated to resubmit documents.

During your visit to TLScontact, you need to submit a complete package of documents, pay all required fees, and, if necessary, submit biometric data. Sign an agreement to deliver documents to the Swiss Embassy in Moscow and back. Pick up the passport with the decision made at the CC where the application was submitted.

Applications regarding issues of obtaining a national visa are not considered - you must contact the consular department of the Embassy directly.

You can get a visa to Switzerland without even leaving your home. To take fingerprinting, an additional VC service is provided - mobile biometrics; to submit a visa application by mail - the courier service of the international company DHL.

Additional visa center services

The intention to use additional services is pre-recorded in your personal account. TLScontact CC clients can order:

“Premium” service: the process of submitting documents in a separate comfortable room, individual consultation, free printing and photocopying of documents, the ability to deliver missing papers on the same day (until 17:00);
“Super Premium”: free parking, the presence of one accompanying relative, employee, security guard is allowed; free Wi-Fi, copying, printing, consultations;
Prime time service: a convenient opportunity to submit documents during non-working hours. In the morning from 8:00 to 9:00, in the evening - 17:00-19:00;
“Mobile biometrics”: calling a specialist at the applicant’s specified address to provide biometric data;
Assistance in registering on the website, filling out a form, setting a date for a visit;
Delivery of the finished passport by courier;
Providing a photo booth and copying machine;
Discount coupons that allow you to save money during your visit to Switzerland (excursions, restaurants, cruises, etc.).

A detailed description of each service and prices can be found by following the link.

Receiving a visa by mail

The service is available to clients who have previously submitted biometric data. To organize the process of obtaining a visa by mail without personal presence at the TLScontact office you need:

activate your account;
pay visa, service fee, DHL courier services;
print, fill out and sign: DHL application, consent to use courier services and processing of personal data;
send a package of documents to the TLScontact VC in Moscow;
wait to receive your passport.

Please note that DHL couriers do not have the right to provide any information regarding the correct completion of documents, their quantity, or review deadlines. The company's employees are solely responsible for the delivery of papers.

Lausanne, Switzerland

Via the consulate

Applying for a visa yourself through the visa department of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow may take longer compared to the VC, since the daily number of citizens who can be accepted is limited.

Reception of applicants at the Embassy is carried out only by appointment on the TLScontact website.

At the same time, if the visa application is of a short-term type, you need to additionally call the TLScontact call center.

Persons sent to one of the following international organizations are accepted without prior registration. In this case, the visit to the consular officer must be made from 9:00 to 11:45 on weekdays.

Registration of a visa through the Embassy in the standard mode includes: registration, making an appointment, personal appearance, providing a full package of documents, receiving a decision.

Visa application procedure

The visa fee for processing an application for a Swiss visa is 35 euros for Russians, and 60 euros for a long-term type of visa . You also need to pay a service fee of 1800 rubles. At the same time, children under 6 years of age and disabled people are exempt from paying them. Fees are non-refundable.

In most cases, applications are processed within 3 days (excluding time for delivery of documents). If an incomplete list of documents is submitted or a personal interview is required, the period will be extended.

Important . Documents must be submitted at least 90 days before the expected departure date. In the case of a tourist visa - at least 2 weeks before departure.

Transit Features

The following question may arise: if you are transiting through Switzerland, do you need a visa? Even if you are traveling to other European countries and need to make a connection in Switzerland, you need to be aware of the intricacies of local visa rules.

If transit lasts more than 24 hours, you must apply for a transit visa. To do this, you need to provide the following documents:

Foreign passport and copies of its first page and pages with Schengen visas.
Questionnaire.
Protocol of agreement with visa regulations.
2 photos.
Photocopies of tickets (round trip).
Visa to the destination country (if necessary).
Insurance certificate (coverage amount - 30,000 euros).

Obtaining a national visa

Before you decide to get a visa to Switzerland on your own, you need to sensibly assess your strength: whether you yourself can collect the entire package of documents correctly. Please remember that in case of refusal, the consular fee is not refundable. But since the list of documents is common, applying for a visa to Switzerland on your own is quite common.

The set of documents for obtaining a Schengen visa to Switzerland depends on the basis for its receipt.

If you need a work visa, you will need:

certificate of good conduct;
a copy of the employment contract;
application form for a work visa.
When applying for a study visa you need:
letter of admission to the university;
certificate of tuition payment or letter from the sponsor;
original certificate/diploma/certificate (+ 2 copies);
study program at a Swiss university;
autobiography in 2 copies;
a letter of motivation explaining the reasons for obtaining higher education in Switzerland;
obligation to return to Russia upon graduation from university.

For family reunification you need:

certificate of good conduct;
motivation letter;
2 copies of the foreign passport of a relative located in Switzerland;
2 copies of the residence permit of a relative located in Switzerland;
a copy of the marriage certificate;
an invitation from a relative located in Switzerland;
a copy of the birth certificate of the child/children (if available).

To apply for a long-term visa, personal presence is required; a package of documents is submitted directly to the consulate. To do this you should:

collect the necessary package of documents;
on the official website of the Swiss Embassy, sign up for an interview and print out the notice;
visit the embassy at the appointed time;
undergo an interview and biometrics procedure, pay a fee at the cashier.

It is also possible to apply for a long-term visa through a visa office. To do this you need:

create an account on the official website;
collect the required package of documents;
register for an interview and print a notice;
go to the TLScontact visa center by appointment, without delay, with a full package of documents;
undergo an interview and biometrics procedure, pay a fee at the cashier.

You will be notified by phone or email when your visa is ready. You must then go to the embassy in person to collect your passport or receive it via pre-paid courier.

Visa for children

If you are traveling with a child, they will also need to apply for a visa, providing:

foreign passport (from 14 years old);
a copy of the birth certificate;
certificate from the educational institution;
consent to travel (if necessary).

Important . If the child travels with one of the parents, then it is necessary to obtain consent to leave from the other parent. In its absence, you must provide an official document (death certificate, wanted document from the police).

Documents for a visa to Switzerland: list from 2021

Other persons have the right to submit the prepared package of papers instead of the applicant: relatives (if they have documents confirming the relationship), work colleagues (if they provide a power of attorney from the organization), representatives of accredited travel agencies with which the Embassy cooperates.

Documents for obtaining a national visa must be submitted only by the applicant in person; exceptions of any kind are not provided.

List of documents required to obtain a Schengen visa to Switzerland in 2021:

An application form filled out in one of the permitted languages and signed by the applicant in person;
A valid international passport (issued no more than 10 years ago, expiration date from the date of return from a trip to Switzerland for at least 3 months) with two blank pages;
Photos: one is pasted on the application form in a specially designated place, the second is attached separately;
Copies of pages of a civil passport (biographical information, registration, marital status, stamp on the issue of a foreign passport);
Health insurance policy in the amount of at least 30 thousand euros, valid for the entire period of stay in Switzerland, as well as in other Schengen countries;
Documents that confirm the availability of a place of residence in the country (hotel reservation, apartment rental);
Papers indicating the intention to travel (ticket booking);
Evidence of sufficient funds from the applicant at the rate of 100 Swiss francs per day of residence in the country (certificate of employment indicating salary covering planned expenses, bank account statement, sponsorship documentation).

Switzerland visa photo

The photo requirements are identical to the standard photo parameters required to obtain a Schengen visa:

installed size 35x45 mm;
production date no more than 6 months ago;
a high-quality frontal image in which the face occupies no more than 80% of the entire photograph, but not less than 70%;
no smile, closed eyes, open mouth;
It is not permissible to wear glasses or hats (exceptions are allowed only for medical reasons or religious beliefs);
light monochromatic background.

Visa documents for children

If a minor child is participating in the trip, you must provide a copy of his birth certificate, copies of the parents’ previously received visas (if the registration is not carried out at the same time).

If a minor travels unaccompanied by his parents or with one of them, then the parents (or one parent) obtain consent for the child to travel with a notary.

Bern, Switzerland

Additional documents for different types of visas

The required documents to obtain a visa that must be provided to the authorized consular officer may vary. The reason for the differences is the different purposes of the trip:

For a guest visit, an invitation from the host party and a copy of the inviting person’s Swiss passport are provided;
Participation in sports and cultural events is documented by the organizing institution;
For business trips, a request from a Swiss company is required;
To be sent to study, confirmation of enrollment in courses at the relevant educational institution is required.

Conducting work activities in the country is possible only after obtaining permission from the relevant cantonal authority of the Swiss Confederation.

To obtain a national visa you need to provide a certain package of papers.

Attention! Be sure to take the documents that you submitted for the visa with you on your trip, since the likelihood of them being checked upon entering the country is very high.

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How long does it take to get a visa to Switzerland?

The Consular Section of the Embassy reviews visa applications within 3 days. When submitting an application through the CC, additional time for sending documents is taken into account.

In rare cases, a decision is made to transfer papers to the Swiss authorities for consideration, in which case the process can drag on for 3 months.

The service for urgent visa processing is officially not available at the Swiss Embassy. However, unforeseen difficult life circumstances are still taken into account. These include: threat to life due to illness, death of close relatives, accidents.

To speed up the process, you need to fill out a form and send an email. The applicant will be contacted and told about further actions.

How to check your visa readiness

You can obtain information about the readiness of a decision in your personal account. The applicant also receives an email and a text message on his phone.

When receiving a foreign passport, you must provide a Russian passport and a checklist (issued by an authorized employee when submitting documents).

What you need to know

It's no secret that laws tend to change. In 2015, innovations appeared, so many began to worry that they would not be allowed into Switzerland under Schengen. Is Switzerland part of Schengen? This agreement includes 26 countries. Part of Schengen and Switzerland. Therefore, in order to enter Switzerland with a Schengen visa, it is enough to open it. Moreover, there are no restrictions regarding the transport on which the tourist plans to travel.

However, there are some features that need to be taken into account when applying for Schengen to Switzerland:

First entry rule. If a tourist decides to travel to several countries that qualify for an incoming Schengen visa, and the first of them is Switzerland, then he needs a Swiss visa, and he will have to apply for it at the representative office of the Swiss Confederation.
Primary country rule. Here you need to decide in which country the tourist wants to spend more time (Immigration). If you plan to enter Switzerland with a Schengen visa, then you should open it at the required representative office. But you will have to leave the same way.

Important! In 2015, new requirements really appeared. Starting this year, fingerprinting has become mandatory. That is, all citizens planning to enter Switzerland with a Schengen visa must be fingerprinted. Without this, it is impossible to obtain the desired visa. Fingerprints will be valid for 5 years. That is why you need to come to the representative office in person to submit documents. During your visit to the Consulate, your fingerprints will be taken and photographs will be taken. At the same time, children under 12 years of age do not need to undergo fingerprinting, but they are not exempt from being photographed.

It is worth taking into account that the requirements for processing documents for obtaining a visa to Switzerland are quite strict. It is much easier to get a visa to Austria. Recently, refusals have become more frequent, so if you cannot fulfill the requirements, then it is better not to risk it and contact a tour operator who will help you obtain permission. After all, if you refuse, there will be no second chance to submit documents.

Embassy, consulate, visa centers of Switzerland in the Russian Federation

The final decision on issuing an entry permit is made at the visa department of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow. Residents of the Kaliningrad region can apply for some types of visas at the consular section of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia.