Switzerland is a popular destination for tourists coming from within and outside Europe. The country has a rich and colorful culture and amazing cities and towns with all the delights and hotspots that will thrill visitors looking to have a nice time. If you are from Pakistan and looking for a far-off location to enjoy your holidays, Switzerland is not a bad place to spend your holidays, but you will need to apply for a Switzerland visa from Pakistan before you visit. Below we review the Switzerland visa requirements
Swiss Schengen Visa
The Switzerland Schengen visa is a valid visa issued to citizens of non-Schengen nations or those from countries that are not on the Exempt visa list. Pakistan is not a member of the Schengen Union or on Switzerland’s visa-exempt list, so for this reason, Pakistani passport holders must apply for a visa first. The Schengen visa is popular because it grants the holder access to Switzerland and other Schengen countries that are also part of the union. In all, there are 26 Schengen nations, all of whom are in Europe, with the exclusion of a few EU countries.
So if you are granted a Swiss Schengen visa, you can use sake to enter Germany, France, Spain, Sweden, and many other countries. The visa is issued solely for the purpose of tourism;
furthermore, you must travel to Switzerland first before moving to any other country of your choice. So for those who plan to tour most of Mainland Europe starting from Switzerland, a Schengen visa is their best option as it is cheaper than applying for multiple visas that cost more.
Kindly note that Schengen visas are valid for 180 days and allow the holder to stay for 90 days maximum.
National Visa
The Switzerland national visa is similar to the Schengen visa but is solely meant for entry into Switzerland and is not recognized by any other country. The visa is valid for 180 days, and you can stay for 90 days.
Business Visa
Pakistan passport holders who want to visit Switzerland on business have to obtain a business visa from the Switzerland consulate in Islamabad. This visa is not a worm visa but is issued for the purpose of visits for business meetings, conferences, or events of a business nature.
Work Visa
The work visa is for those who have secured employment with a Swiss-based company or organization. This is the only document that grants foreigners the legal right to live and work in the country. However, you must get the job first before applying for it.
Study Visa: There are more than a few Pakistani citizens studying in Switzerland, and the country has several schools. Students who have secured admission into a college or university can apply for a visa.
How To Apply For A Visa
For long-stay visas like work or study visas, you have to contact the Pakistan embassy in Islamabad. For short-term national or Schengen visas, spare yourself the hassle by submitting your application online. The online application process is flexible, and you can do it from the comfort of your home. Here are the steps to take.
Visit VisaHQ
Select Switzerland as your destination
Select Pakistan as your country of origin
Choose your preferred visa of choice
Fill out the online Switzerland visa application form correctly
Upload scanned copies of the required documents
Pay the applicable visa fee required using a credit or debit card
Submit for approval
Switzerland Visa Processing Time
The time it will take to process your application depends on the visa you apply for, as some visas take longer time to process than others. For example, work and study visas may take up to 15 working days or more, while tourist visas will be processed in 5 working days or less. Besides this factor, other factors may delay your application, such as the season you apply for it or if there are issues with your documents.
During summer months, when there is an upswing in the number of visitors coming to Switzerland for the holidays, embassies receive more applications than usual, which may cause slight delays. On your own part, make sure you only provide accurate information and use valid documents so your application will not be rejected.
Documents Required for Switzerland Visa From Pakistan
Below we list the main documents required for a visa application but more that there may be additional visas requested by the authorities depending on your visa type.
Pakistan passport valid for at least 6 months, not older than 10 years.
2 recent colored photographs that meet Schengen requirements
Cover Letter
Bank statement for 3 months
Proof of accommodation
Travel Itinerary
Travel Insurance
These are the documents for Switzerland Visa From Pakistan.