Are you looking to take a break from the hustle and bustle of daily life and would like to go on tour to a location where you can enjoy amazing sights and sounds far away from home? Then, you should consider applying for a Switzerland tourist visa.  

Switzerland is a popular destination for tourists and one of the world's most visited countries. The country is blessed with crystal-clear lakes, ski resorts, mountain ranges, and mesmerizing cities and towns that will offer you the excitement and enjoyment you crave. Switzerland is a highly advanced country regarded as one of the most developed in the world, so when you visit, expect to find more than enough hotspots to spend your time productively.

The capital is Bern which is also the seat of government, but the biggest cities and tourist centers are in Zurich and Geneva, where you will find many international profit and non-profit organizations. Nyon is another famous tourist destination. Should you decide to visit Switzerland, expect to enjoy your trip as there is so much to see.

Do All Visitors Need A Tourist Visa To Visit Switzerland?

Not everyone requires a visa to visit Switzerland. The government has a visa-exempt list of countries comprising Schengen countries and a host of selected countries like the US, Canada, the UK, and others. If you are from a visa-exempt country, you can visit and stay in Switzerland as a tourist for up to 90 days. Unfortunately, most world citizens don’t make a list but can still enjoy all the wonders Switzerland has to offer by applying for a tourist visa.

Types of Tourist Visa

There are basically two types of tourist visas for foreign nationals, and we review them below.

National Tourist Visa: The National Swiss tourist visa is a local visa recognized by Swiss immigration and accepted for entry only into Switzerland. This visa permits the holder to visit any part of the country on holiday or for sightseeing. This visa is valid for 180 days, and you can stay for 90 days. While visa extension is open to visitors from selected countries, other citizens cannot extend their while within Swiss borders.

Schengen Tourist Visa: The Schengen visa is similar to the National tourist Switzerland visa since it is also valid for 180 days and used for the same purpose, but there is a difference. While the National Visa is meant for only entry into Switzerland, you can use the Schengen visa to enter other Schengen countries in Europe. This is because Schengen countries in Europe number 26 share similar immigration policies and recognize Schengen visas issued by other member states in the area. So if you have plans to add other nations in Europe to your itinerary and they are part of the Schengen area, rather than apply for a different Swiss Schengen visa, you can apply for one Schengen visa.

How To Apply For A Switzerland Tourist Visa?

Applicants have one option available to them, depending on where they come from. One option is to apply to the Switzerland embassy in your country. If there is none, do your findings to know which agency or visa center the Swiss government has outsourced visa applications to in your area. You can pay them a visit or browse their website to know the requirements and application process and follow it through.

Suppose online applications for tourist visas are open to your location. In that case, you don’t have to visit the embassy or a visa center since you can apply for it from the comfort of your home using your smartphone or computer. However, you must use a reputable visa application platform like VisaHQ to submit your application with the following steps.

• Log onto VisaHQ

• Select Switzerland as the destination

• Select your country of citizenship

• Choose “Tourist visa/Schengen visa” as your visa of choice

• Complete the application form

• Scan the required travel documents

• Pay the visa fees with a bank card

• Submit for approval

The process is fast and easy and can be completed in 30 minutes or less. After submitting the form, check your email address inbox or Spam folder, as the visa will be forwarded to the registered email you provided if approved.

Kindly note that visitors with tourist visas can still be denied entry into the country if law enforcement officers at the arrival station discover that they obtained the visa under a false pretext or that their visa or document is fake.  This is why you must be sincere and only use valid documents when applying for a visa.

Documents For Switzerland Tourist Visa

Here are the documents for the Switzerland tourist visa, which must be attached to your application form.

• Passport valid for at least three months from the departure date.

• Two recent passport-sized photographs

• Medical travel insurance with a minimum of €30,000 coverage

• Travel Itinerary

• Cover Letter

• Invitation letter, where applicable

• Proof of funds (€92 daily expenses minimum)

• Hotel reservation

• Return Flight ticket reservation

Note that the authorities may request additional documents for the Switzerland tourist visa.