Switzerland Visa

Schengen Application Form

One application form duly completed, printed, and signed by the applicant. The form is typically completed online and printed for the physical submission appointment at the Embassy, Consulate, or VFS Global center. Parents or legal guardians must sign on behalf of minors.

Valid Passport

Must be valid 3 months beyond your intended date of departure from the Schengen area; must have been issued within the last 10 years; must contain at least 2 blank pages. Photocopies of the personal data page and all previous Schengen visas are mandatory.

Passport Photos

One recent (6 months maximum), $35 \times 45 \text{ mm}$, color photo meeting standard Schengen biometric specifications, taken straight from the front against a plain white or light gray background.

Travel Medical Insurance

Valid throughout the entire Schengen area; minimum coverage of €30,000 (or CHF 30,000) for medical emergencies, urgent hospital treatment, and repatriation costs. The insurance must be valid for the entire duration of the stay.

Proof of Travel (Itinerary)

Confirmed round-trip flight reservations and a detailed day-by-day travel itinerary covering all destinations, activities, and means of transport within Switzerland and the Schengen area.

Proof of Accommodation

Confirmed hotel reservations or rental accommodation bookings for the full duration of the stay. If staying with a host (family/friends), a formal Declaration of Sponsorship form may be requested by the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

Proof of Financial Means

Original bank statements (for the last 3-6 months, signed and stamped by the bank) proving sufficient funds. The required minimum is CHF 100 per person per day of the intended stay. This is reduced to CHF 30 per person per day for students with a valid student card.

Proof of Employment / Ties to Home Country

A signed letter from your employer (on company letterhead, stating position, salary, start date, and approved leave dates) and the last three months’ salary slips. Tax returns (for the last two years) and proof of property ownership are strong supporting documents.

Proof of Legal Residence (If Applicable)

Valid residence permit in your current country of residence (if you are not a national); this permit must be valid 3 months beyond your intended departure from the Schengen area.

Documents for Minors (Under 18)

Original Birth Certificate, a notarized Parental Consent letter from the non-travelling parent(s), and copies of both parents’ passports or IDs. A school attendance certificate is often required.

1. Cities & Architectural Gems

• Zurich (Largest city, known for Lake Zurich, the Old Town (Altstadt), Bahnhofstrasse (upscale shopping), Grossmünster and Fraumünster Churches)

• Geneva (Cosmopolitan city on Lake Geneva, home to the Jet d’Eau fountain, the UN Office, and the Old Town’s St. Pierre Cathedral)

• Lucerne (Picturesque central Swiss city, famous for the Chapel Bridge (Kapellbrücke), Water Tower, and the Lion Monument)

• Bern (Capital city, UNESCO Old Town, Zytglogge (clock tower), Bear Park, and the Swiss Federal Palace (Bundeshaus))

• Basel (Cultural capital situated on the Rhine River, known for its numerous museums and the beautiful medieval Old Town)

2. Iconic Mountains & Alpine Resorts

• The Matterhorn (Zermatt) (The world’s most famous mountain peak, best viewed from the car-free village of Zermatt via the Gornergrat railway)

• Jungfraujoch (Known as the “Top of Europe,” home to the highest railway station on the continent, featuring the Ice Palace and Aletsch Glacier views)

• Interlaken (Adventure capital situated between Lake Thun and Lake Brienz, a hub for paragliding, skydiving, and canyoning)

• Lauterbrunnen Valley (Dramatic U-shaped valley known for its sheer cliff faces and 72 roaring waterfalls, including the iconic Staubbach Falls)

• St. Moritz (Exclusive, high-alpine resort town in the Engadine Valley, famous for its luxurious atmosphere and winter sports)

3. Lakes, Castles & Scenic Routes

• Château de Chillon (Montreux) (A spectacular medieval castle situated on a rock on the shores of Lake Geneva, one of the most visited buildings in Switzerland)
• Lake Como (Shared between Switzerland and Italy; the Swiss section near Lugano and Ticino offers Mediterranean flair and stunning lake views)
• Gruyères (Charming medieval hilltop village, famous for Gruyère cheese, its castle, and the HR Giger Museum/Bar)
• Swiss National Park (The country’s only national park, located in the Eastern Alps, dedicated to preserving untouched mountain wilderness and wildlife)
• The GoldenPass Line (One of Switzerland’s most beautiful scenic train routes, connecting Lucerne to Interlaken and Montreux, passing through the Bernese Oberland)