Your cart is currently empty!
How to Apply for a Schengen Visa to Switzerland
by
Switzerland issued my first Schengen Visa application, and in fact, all four of my Schengen visas hailed from there! 😀
After months spent reading blogs and watching YouTube videos, I finally decided it was time to take the plunge and apply for a Schengen Visa. This decision coincided with my birthday, adding even more incentive to prepare (and celebrate!).
I believe the initial step in any visa application involves defining your purpose. Are you traveling for tourism or private visits? It’s crucial to specify, as there are slight variations in the requirements for each type of visa application.
After identifying your travel purpose, the next step is to craft your itinerary. You can consult the resources page for free templates you can use and adapt for your Schengen Visa Application.
So what are the requirements that YOU need to prepare? I have rounded them up below. You can download these requirements from both the Swiss Embassy webpage and the VFS Global website, which serves as the official visa application center for Switzerland in the Philippines.
Alternatively, you can watch my YouTube video below.
Here’s what’s INCLUDED in this post
[hide]
Where to apply for a Schengen Visa?
Only persons with a LEGAL residence status in the country can apply for a Schengen Visa.
For example, you are a Filipino citizen resident in Canada. Then, you MUST lodge your application in the nearest visa application center or embassy from your place of residence.
If you meet the following criteria, you can submit your application through the Swiss Embassy, provided you are a legal resident in the country.
- You will ONLY visit Switzerland
- You will visit two or more countries in the Schengen Area and your LONGEST STAY will be in Switzerland
- You will stay in several countries with the SAME NUMBER of DAYS (nights) and your FIRST ENTRY is Switzerland.
When can I submit my Schengen Visa Application?
You can only submit your Schengen Visa Application a maximum of 180 days before your departure date.
If your date of departure is May 15, 2024, you can submit your application from November 15, 2023 and no later than 15 calendar days before the start of the intended visit.
What are the Visa Requirements?
Open the tab that corresponds to your travel purpose to read the visa requirements.
Tourism
Visit (EU/EEA/EFTA Family Member)
Visit (Family and/or Friends
Tourism (Sponsored Travel)
If your main travel purpose is tourism, these are the requirements you will need to provide:
DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above are from the August 2023 checklist of the Swiss Embassy in Manila
If you will be visiting a family member who is an EU, EEA, or EFTA national , these are the requirements you will need to provide. A family member constitutes the spouse and/or children under 21 years old of a Swiss/EU/EFTA National.
Note that as family members, you can also have your Schengen Visa Application directly with the embassy. Make sure to book an appointment with the Swiss Embassy in advance.
DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above are from the August 2023 checklist of the Swiss Embassy in Manila
Are you planning to visit your loved one in Switzerland? YES? Your Schengen Visa Application will fall under a Visit Visa. This visa purpose will basically have the same requirements as a tourist visa plus a few additional documentation you will need to supply which includes the following:
1. Application Form
- Duly completed, dated, and signed by the applicant or the legal guardian (write in block letters and use
only black or blue ink). - If the applicant is a minor, both parents must sign the form.
- You can download the visa application form for free from the Swiss Embassy website.
2. Passport
- The current passport and a copy of all relevant pages (the first two pages with the personal data plus
the photograph and signature; the back page with important notes), as well as copies of visas for the
Schengen Area, the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada for the past 10 years. - The passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the planned stay abroad.
- The passport must contain at least two sequent empty pages.
3. Passport Photo
- Two identical passport photographs in colour (not older than 6 months) with a light background.
- The application form requires one pasted photograph and stapled photos will not be accepted
- For non-religious purposes, head covers are not allowed. The face must be fully visible.
- Follows the ICAO Guidelines.
4. Flight Reservation
- Roundtrip air travel and, if applicable, proof of intra-Schengen flight, train itinerary or car rental.
- If the applicant travels to a third country (e.g. the United Kingdom, the USA, etc.) after leaving the
Schengen area, the visa of the subsequent country must be obtained first. - Hold off on purchasing an airline ticket for now as the Embassy cannot take responsibility for any financial losses if you do so prematurely.
5. Travel Insurance
- The travel insurance must cover medical emergencies, hospitalization and repatriation (including in
case of death). The minimum amount of coverage per person must be EUR 30’000.00 or the equivalent
value. The insurance must be valid for the entire Schengen area and for the entire duration of the stay. - The Embassy does not accept insurance policies with sub-limits, exclusions and conditions.
- Here’s the latest list from the embassy.
- You can also check out these travel insurance: Safetywing and Axa-Schengen
6. Invitation Letter
- signed by the host in Switzerland and contain the following information:
- Full name, full address, and contact details (mobile phone & email) of the host.
- Full name and date of birth of the applicant, relationship to the guest applicant, purpose and duration of
the planned stay. - Guarantee of accommodation during the stay in Switzerland.
Here’s the Factsheet for the Invitation Letter from the SEM.
You can check out this invitation letter free template or make your own with this video as a guide.
7. Host’s Identity
depending on your host’s identity, supply the following documentation
If the host is a Swiss citizen
- copy of Swiss passport and/or Swiss identity card
If the host is not a Swiss citizen
copy of the passport and Swiss residence permit (the validity must be valid for the entire duration of the visit)
If the host works for an International Organization or Diplomatic Mission
copy of the valid “Carte de Légitimation” and signed confirmation of employment
8. Additional Questionnaire
During your appointment at VFS Global Services, they will hand the document to you.
Make sure to fill out the form completely and truthfully and submit the questionnaire together with your application. This questionnaire mainly focuses on your reason for travel, your travel history, and your relationship to the host in Switzerland.
7. Financial Means
- Stamped and signed original bank certificate of current account balance and bank statements showing
account activity for the past six months. - Transfer Certificate of Title.
8. Proof of Employment/Studies
a. If EMPLOYED
- Your employer must provide a company letter on official letterhead with contact details, including email and phone numbers. It should be stamped and include the name and position of the signatory. Scanned or electronic signatures won’t be accepted.The letter must contain the following information about the visa applicant: Position, date of hiring, salary and dates of the approved leave. The company has to confirm the continuation of the employment relationship after the requested stay abroad.
- Income tax return.
b. If SELF-EMPLOYED or COMPANY OWNER
- Department of Trade Industry (DTI)/Securities Exchange Commission (SEC; list of incorporators).
- Income tax return.
- Business financial statement.
c. If STUDENT
- Certificate of enrollment and leave of absence for travel during the school year (dates must be clearly
mentioned). - Copy of student ID
9. Proof of Family Ties (if applicable)
- Marriage certificate and/or birth certificate(s) of child(ren), if applicable.
- If friends or romantic partner, a proof of relationship.
10. For Minors
a. Child/Children under 18 years old, not traveling with both parents:
- Notarized consent letter from the non-traveling parent or legal guardian.
b. Child/Children under 18 years old, travelling alone:
- Notarized consent and financial support from both parents or legal guardian.
- Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) clearance
- Copies of both parents’ (legal guardians’) passports or official identification documents with the holder’s
signature
11. Non-Filipino applicants who have valid residency status in the Philippines
- Copy of Philippines residence permit (ACR-I Card).
12. Visa Fee
As of writing, these are the current visa fees
13. Additional Documentation*
Here are some additional documentation you will need to supply for your visa application
Proof of Relationship *
Although this is NOT in the checklist of requirements, submitting documents to prove your relationship to the host in Switzerland will be advantageous to your Schengen Visa Application.
Here are some documentation you may include as proof of your relationship:
- Passport entry and exit stamps – as proof that you have already met
- Photos together – do ask approval from your partner before submitting photos as some individuals are very private
The documentation above are mere suggestions, you may also include other documents as proof of your relationship to your host in Switzerland.
Declaration of Sponsorship
In cases wherein the applicant does not have sufficient means to stay in Switzerland, the host in Switzerland will be required to accomplish a Declaration of Sponsorship (Verpflichtungserklärung). The embassy or consulate will sometimes directly e-mail the form to the host in Switzerland.
With this document, the host pledges to cover the following costs:
- Costs arising from sickness, accident, return transport and living costs, which would otherwise arise for public welfare or private medical services during the applicant’s stay within the Schengen area
- A maximum of CHF 30,000 for individuals or groups and families of up to 10 people who are traveling together.
Note: The declaration of sponsorship takes effect from the day the applicant enters Switzerland and is valid for a period of 12 months. It may not be revoked. Furthermore, the host pledges to cover the above-mentioned costs but cannot legally vouch for their guest’s departure from Switzerland. Aside from that, even if the cantonal or communal authority approves the declaration of sponsorship, the applicant does not have a legal right to a visa
Cover Letter *
If there are situations that cannot be clearly explained in the application form, you may write a cover letter detailing your situation.
Here’s a free template you can download.
*This is NOT in the official checklist of the Swiss Embassy
DISCLAIMER: The requirements listed above are from the August 2023 checklist of the Swiss Embassy in Manila
Should someone else sponsor your travel, additional requirements must be submitted based on the sponsor’s location.
If the sponsor is based in the Philippines or abroad
- Signed Invitation and/or Sponsorship Letter
- Copy of Passport
- Flight Reservation, if traveling together
- Sponsor’s Financial Means
- Stamped and signed original bank certificate of current account balance and bank statements showing account activity for the past six months.
If the sponsor is based in the Schengen Area, your application will fall under Visit as purpose.
- The invitation letter, sent directly to the applicant, must bear the signature of the host in Switzerland and include the following information:
– Full name, full address and contact details (mobile phone & email) of the host.
– Full name and date of birth of the applicant, relationship guest applicant, purpose and duration of the planned stay.
– Guarantee of accommodation during the stay in Switzerland. - If the host is a Swiss citizen: copy of Swiss passport and/or Swiss identity card.
- If the host is not a Swiss citizen: copy of the passport and Swiss residence permit (the validity must be valid for the entire duration of the visit).
- If the host works for an International Organization or Diplomatic Mission: copy of the valid “Carte de Légitimation” and signed confirmation of employment.
How do I apply for a Schengen Visa to Switzerland
Here’s the step-by-step process on how you can apply for your Schengen Visa to Switzerland
Step 1: Identify your visa type/purpose
Your visa type or purpose will determine the requirements you will need to provide.
Step 2: Gather your documents
Gather your documents based on your visa type or purpose.
Step 3: Set an Appointment
Book your appointment through the visa application center or directly with the embassy (only for EU, EEA, EFTA family members.
Step 4: Attend your Appointment
Be at the visa application center at least 15 minutes before your appointed time and make sure to bring your COMPLETE set of documentation.
Step 5: Track your Application
Use the visa tracker on the visa application website or the reference number on your receipt to track your application. If you have paid for SMS updates, you will receive the updates via SMS and/or email.
Step 6: Collect your Passport
If you have chosen to pick up your passport, collect your passport from the visa application center . Otherwise, wait for your passport to be delivered if you have paid for this option.
Result
Hooray! You have your visa!
In the event that your application is refused, you can either appeal the decision or re-apply.
WATCH: Video Tutorial
Are the steps mentioned above too long for you? Then, you can watch this video.
DISCLAIMER: The video was uploaded in 2022 and there may be slight differences with the requirements set by the embassy.
How long is the the processing time for Schengen Visa Application?
As per the Swiss Embassy website, the Consulate makes a decision within 15 days. However, there might be extensions in specific cases. Certain Schengen States mandate consultation on visa applications from citizens of certain countries submitted to other Schengen States.The consultation process may take up to seven calendar days. Here is the list of said countries.
Schengen Visa Application FAQs
These frequently asked questions cover the Schengen Visa Application.
How do I submit the Schengen Visa Application?
To submit your application, you must book an appointment with the responsible visa application center in the country. In the Philippines, VFS Global accepts the Schengen Visa Application on behalf of the Swiss Embassy.
You may include additional services for your own convenience.
For my first Schengen Visa Application, I paid for the Premium Lounge (PHP 2500) because I was late for my initial application. Yup, early-bird me was late on an important appointment. So I called the VFS hotline and scheduled for a premium appointment while seated in a taxi in the heavy Makati traffic. Based on my experience, they ushered me immediately into their lounge room and swiftly assessed my documents.It took me roughly 30 minutes to finish the application including the biometrics that’s 4x less than the amount I spend in the 9 AM Makati rush.
How do I track my application?
Once you have submitted your application, you will receive an email notification (or an SMS update if you have paid for the service) of the updates on your application. You can track the application thourgh the updates or online with the Reference Number (SWPH/XXXXXX/XXXX/XX) present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access the online tracker.
What is my visa validity and duration?
You got your visa!
Congratulations! Now, you must understand the difference between your visa validity and duration of stay to avoid unnecessary complications such as overstaying your visa.
The visa duration determines the TOTAL number of days you can stay in the Schengen Area. Make sure you do not go beyond that number.
The visa vignette on the left permits a total stay of 90 days.
The visa validity determines the start and end date of your visa. You can travel and stay in the Schengen Area within the validity period provided.
In the visa vignette at the left, you can travel from 13 April 2021 to 01 August 2021 for 90 days.
How do I file an appeal?
Upon refusal of your visa, you will receive a standard form indicating the reasons. Within 30 days of receiving the refusal, you have the right to appeal. The refusal notification is conveyed via a standard visa refusal form. The appeal, accompanied by a statement of grounds, must be submitted in writing (in German, French, or Italian). You can either submit the appeal yourself or designate a suitable proxy, such as your private host or host company in Switzerland, to do so. Appeals should be submitted to the following address:
State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
Quellenweg 6
3003 Bern-Wabern
If you do not have an authorized proxy, you can submit the appeal to a Swiss representation abroad. Do take note that the appeal costs CHF 200 which covers the advance costs and will be refunded IF the decision is in your favor.
You can use this guide in filing your appeal.