Can I travel to Switzerland with Schengen visa? This is one question many would like answered as they put final plans in motion to visit Switzerland.
For starters, if you are not a citizen of Switzerland or any of the Schengen countries, you will need a visa unless your country falls under the visa-free list of the Swiss government.
For instance, US, Canadian, Australian, and UK citizens don’t need a visa to enter Switzerland unless they plan to stay for more than 90 days. If they decide to visit other Schengen countries, they may stay for up to 180 days, depending on the special visa Exemption rules set by that country in particular.
So if you are not a citizen of these countries, you need a normal visa to enter Swiss to conduct business, enjoy tourist attractions, or for any other purpose.
Switzerland Is A Schengen States
Switzerland is a founding member of the European Economic Area and has been a Schengen state since 2008. There are a total of 27 countries in the Union, all of which are European countries, but not all European countries are members of Schengen. For instance, Romania is an EU country but not a Schengen member. These countries share similar immigration policies as a part of a concerted effort to control immigration from other countries.
Can I Travel To Switzerland With Schengen Visa?
Now that you know that Switzerland is a Schengen country, does that mean you can travel to the country with a Schengen visa even if you don’t have a Swiss-issued visa? The answer is yes, you can. If you have a valid Schengen visa issued by another country in the Union, you can travel to Switzerland with it, and you will be allowed entry.
All member countries recognize the visa, so rather than apply for a different visa each time you want to travel to any of them, you can apply for this standard visa and enjoy the travel benefits of not paying high fees.
Cost Of Schengen Visa To Switzerland
Assuming you don’t have a Schengen visa yet and would like to apply for one in Switzerland, you must pay the required application fee. The fee changes from time to time, but the standard fee is €80 for children of 12 years up to adults of 80 years. Visas for children aged 6 – 11 years cost €40, while there is no application cost for those under six.
These fees are not refundable and do not guarantee visa issuance by the authorities. Aside from these fees, there are extra fees you may pay if you engage the services of visa application platforms like VisaHQ to help you transmit your application to the authorities.
Documents For Switzerland Schengen Visa
Here are the documents for the Swiss Schengen Visa.
Completed Application Form: You will need two identical passport photographs for the application. Digital files or Photocopies are not accepted.
Passport: An original passport valid for at least three months from the day you intend to leave the country—only passports with at least two blank pages issued no later than ten years are accepted.
Flight Reservation: A copy of reserved flight tickets to and from Switzerland to your home country or any other Schengen country.
Hotel Reservation: If you are coming as a tourist, you must provide evidence of a hotel reservation. If you plan to stay with a family member or friend, apply for a visitor visa instead.
Proof of Funds: A three-month bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover your expenses.
The minimum daily expense is $100 daily, but for students, that is reduced to $30 a day.
Letter: If you are currently employed, a letter from your employer indicating your current position and income must be attached to your application. The letter must be printed on the company’s letterhead and signed. Students must submit their admission letters, while self-employed persons must provide their tax returns and business operating license.
Travel Insurance: A travel insurance certificate with a minimum cover of €30,000 to cover potential medical expenses. Only policies issued by insurance companies operating within the area and recognized by Schengen countries are accepted.
These documents should be submitted to the visa office for approval. Applications take about 15 working days but may be ready sooner or later, depending on the volume of applications the embassy is handling.
Apply Online
Applicants from selected countries can apply for a Schengen tourist visa online. Here are the steps to take if you are eligible.
Visit VisaHQ
Select Switzerland as your destination
Select your country of citizenship
Choose “tourist Visa’’
Complete the application form
Pay the visa fee
Submit for approval
Once your application is approved, your visa will be mailed to your registration email address.
Can I travel to Switzerland with Schengen visa? Yes, you can, as long as the visa is still valid.