NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 17/09/2024

Chocolate, cheese, watches, army knives, banks, Alps — these are just some of the more common things that come to mind when people think of Switzerland. But did you know that this snowy little oasis in the heart of Europe also consistently ranks as the most innovative country in the world? And that — outside of human innovation — it’s home to the highest peaks in Western Europe, the European version of the Grand Canyon (i.e., the Rhine Gorge), and over 7000 lakes? Or that it has one of the lowest crime rates in Europe (along with one of the highest gun ownership rates, mind you), the longest tunnel in the world, and the world’s third-happiest population?

All this should be reason enough why millions upon millions of tourists pay Switzerland — aka the Playground of Europe — a visit each year. If you plan on being one of them, however, you might need a visa. In which case, AXA is happy to help!

• Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?
• How do I apply for a visa to go to Switzerland?
• How much does a Schengen visa for Switzerland cost?
• What about ETIAS and EES for Switzerland?
• How can AXA help?
• How to apply for a Schengen visa for other countries 

Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?

This will depend on where you’re coming from. ​Because the Land of Milk and Honey Switzerland — aka the Land of Milk and Honey (due to its fine wine and honey production fam) — also happens to be one of the Schengen countries. And when visiting the Schengen zone, most non-Schengen residents do indeed need to apply for a visa. Here’s how it works:

Which travelers are required to apply for a Schengen visa for Switzerland?

If you’re not an EU and/or Schengen citizen — and if your country does not have a visa waiver agreement with the EU — then you will need a visa for the Playground of Europe indeed.

This applies to passport holders from all of Africa, most of Asia and the Middle East, Russia, and so on — nearly a hundred countries in total, that is (link to full list below*).

But AXA can help you figure out whether you need a Schengen visa in no time.

Which travelers don’t need a Schengen visa to come to Switzerland (for stays of less than 90 days)?

Meanwhile, you don’t need a Schengen visa for Switzerland if you are staying less than three months and are:

• A citizen of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Taiwan, the U.K.,* the U.S., and/or roughly 50 more non-EU countries that has signed a visa exemption agreement with the EU;
• A national of the Schengen area or one (or more) of the European Union member countries.

Want a more detailed breakdown? AXA can tell you more about who does not need a Schengen visa (for Switzerland or anywhere else in the Schengen, that is) too.

*NOTE FOR VISITORS FROM THE U.K.: If you are a U.K BRP (i.e., biometric residence permit) and/or IRL (i.e., indefinite leave to remain) holder, then whether you need a Schengen visa or not will depend on the country where you hold citizenship. So to make sure you have all the latest info, consult the UK Government’s Official Website’s Travel to the EU/Schengen section. And double-check with the Official Website of the EU — and/or those of your home country — just in case too.

*PRO-TIP 1: You can see full lists of the aforementioned countries — i.e., those that do and don’t need a Schengen visa — courtesy of the European Commission.

How do I apply for a visa to go to Switzerland?

To get a Schengen visa, you’ll first need to figure out which Schengen visa you need. And the nature of your trip should make that quite obvious. But, just in case, here are your options:

What are the different types of Schengen visas?

The four basic types of Schengen Visa are business, work, student, and short-stay.

While the first three are pretty self-explanatory, the short-stay Schengen (aka the Type C or “tourist”) visa is by far the most common — for Switzerland or anywhere else. The short-stay visa allows for travel to (and between) all Schengen countries for up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Then there’s also the Type A (aka “airport transit”) visa — which allows citizens of non-Schengen States to wait for a connecting flight and/or transit through Switzerland’s airports (or those of any other Schengen state) without seeing the sights.

Meanwhile, if you’re planning more than one trip to the Schengen Zone — you can opt for a multiple-entry visa.

And if you ​have a partner living, working, and/or studying in the Schengen zone, AXA can tell you the particulars about Schengen spouse visa requirements too.

And, finally, if you plan to stay for more than three months, you’ll need to apply for a National (aka a “long-term” or Type D) visa.

What documents are required to obtain a Schengen visa for Switzerland?

Once you know which type of Schengen visa has your name on it, you’ll want to make sure your paperwork meets all the Schengen visa requirements. Now, keep in mind that your exact documents may vary depending on your particular situation. But, at the very least, you’ll want to have:

• Your passport (issued within the last 10 years, with a validity of more than 3 months after the planned date of exit from the Schengen area)
• A ​​Swiss Schengen visa application form (duly completed and signed).
• Two recent passport photos
• Your itinerary
• Schengen travel insurance (NOTE: Travel insurance is mandatory for a Schengen visa, and it must meet several criteria in order to be accepted with your visa application too — but more on that below)
• Proof of sufficient funds* (if applicable)
• Proof of the purpose of the trip such as a letter of invitation (if applicable)
• Your residence permit and/or resident card Proof of accommodation (if applicable)
• Proof of socio-economic and professional stability (if applicable)
• For minors — certified parental or guardian authorization

*SUFFICIENT FUNDS: According to the official website of the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (aka “SEM”), as of mid-2024, you must show, via bank statement, that you have at least 100 CHF (i.e., 100 Swiss Francs) — or roughly €92 / $104 — for every day you plan to spend in Switzerland. But make sure to check back with the official source above — and Google the most current exchange rates — to have the latest info.

When and where should I apply for my Schengen visa to Switzerland?

Your Schengen visa application should be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before your departure date for Switzerland.

NOTE: ​You can start your Swiss visa application process online* (courtesy of the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration, aka SEM), but you’ll also need to come in for an in-person interview at some point (for biometrics collection, and with all the required paperwork). So make sure you give yourself plenty of time to prep.

And as far as where to go — you should apply via the Swiss embassy, consulate, and/or visa application center in your country of residence.

PRO-TIP: You can find a list of all Swiss embassies and consulates worldwide on Switzerland’s official website of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (aka “FDFA”).

And Switzerland — like many other Schengen states — also outsources its visa application process via the company VFS Global. For example, you can find (and apply) through Swiss VFS Global centers in India*, China, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, and so on.

So your best bet? Check the official website of the nearest Swiss embassy or consulate to you (from the FDFA’s list above) and verify the particular application procedures, find the appropriate visa application center if need be, and generally be in the know.

*PRO-TIP: AXA also happens to have a step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Switzerland visa from India specifically!

HOPEFUL NOTE: While you will still need to be physically present at some point to apply for a Schengen visa, the EU does plan to bring the whole process online eventually — including for Switzerland And ​AXA can tell you all about the (hopefully coming soon) Schengen visa application online as well​.

Can I travel to Switzerland if I have obtained a Schengen Visa from another country?

Yes. A Schengen Visa allows you to travel to Switzerland — and throughout all the Schengen countries — no matter which country you got it from. However, you must apply with the country in which you intend to spend the majority of your trip.

Can I travel to all European countries on a Swiss Schengen visa?

Technically, no. Because all of Europe is home to roughly 50 countries. And while your Schengen Visa will allow travel to all Schengen countries and most of the European Union countries (yep, they’re similar but not the same) — a handful of European nations will still have their own particular visa requirements.

Can I work or study in Switzerland with a tourist visa?

No. The tourist (or Type C) visa allows visitors to enter the Schengen for a short business trip, a holiday, or to visit family members. However, it cannot be converted into a work or study permit. AXA can tell you more about that if you like. ​​

How much does a Schengen visa for Switzerland cost?

The costs of the Schengen Visa, meanwhile, are universal. However, they have been raised somewhat as of June, 2024. Check out AXA’s Schengen visa costs section to learn the specifics.

PRO-TIP: Children under the age of six can still get a Schengen visa for free. Moreover, in certain cases, the visa fee may also be waived for:

• participants in certain seminars, conferences, sporting, cultural, and/or educational events (25yo or under);
• students/teachers on study and/or training trips;
• certain professionals traveling for scientific research.

IMPORTANT NOTE: But keep in mind that you’ll also likely have to pay some extra administrative and/or service fees associated with your visa center and/or the corresponding officials. And that these fees are not reimbursed if your visa is refused.

What about ETIAS and EES for Switzerland?

Meanwhile, the EU and the European Commission have been working on more than just trying to bring your visa application process online. Case in point? The European Information and Authorization System (aka ETIAS). ETIAS is meant to be a new, mostly digital system of requirements for entering Europe. However, it’s taking some time to get off the ground and — according to the EU’s official website — it’s most recently set to go into effect in “mid-2025.”

First, however, the EU needs to implement its counterpart EES (aka the Entry/Exit System). EES is intended to replace traditional passport stamping. And as per the EU, EES is set to go into effect “starting in the second half of 2024.”

However, while both ETIAS and EES have been in the works for a number of years now, they’ve also been repeatedly delayed. So AXA recommends you check back with the official source above (and your closest Swiss consulate or embassy) about the latest developments. And, like us, hope for the best!

Is ETIAS the same as a visa?

No. ETIAS authorization is not a visa. Unlike Schengen Visas, ETIAS authorization will be valid for an unlimited number of entries, for example.

How can AXA help?

Meanwhile, the best way we know how to help is by doing what we do best — that is by providing you with some affordable, top-quality, instant travel insurance for Switzerland (and beyond)!

Because whether you’re enjoying some Swiss cheese and wine or some Swiss Alps, travel insurance is always a good call.

Not only that but — again — it’s also a mandatory requirement for being granted your Schengen visa.
And your plan must meet the following criteria:

• Guarantee minimum coverage for at least €30,000 in medical expenses
• Cover any expenses that might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons
• Cover you in all member states of the Schengen Area (not just Iceland)
• Cover you during the entire duration of your trip and stay in the Schengen Zone.

All three AXA plans (Low-Cost,​ Europe Travel, and Multi-Trip) meet the necessary requirements above.

Moreover, if your Schengen visa for Switzerland is denied, AXA’s plans are refundable in most cases. We’ll only ask that you provide the appropriate documentation (i.e., an official explanation as to why your visa was refused by the relevant embassy, consulate, or visa application center).

On top of helping you get your visa, our plans also help keep you safe not just in Switzerland but in all Schengen territories (and beyond). 

Getting an AXA travel insurance plan, meanwhile, is quick and easy. Your plan can be purchased online with just a few clicks of the mouse!

Our travel insurance certificate, meanwhile — accepted by all Swiss embassies, consulates, and VFS Global centers — can then be downloaded (and printed) online instantly too.

So learn more about and compare our 3 comprehensive plans today. Because the right AXA plan is not only guaranteed to make your Schengen visa application process that much smoother. It will also ensure that your trip to the Playground of Europe is as worry-free as can be.

How to apply for a Schengen visa for other countries

And, finally — thinking about applying for a Schengen visa other than for Switzerland? Then to make your life easier, AXA has also compiled comprehensive step-by-step guides for all the other Schengen states below (from A to, well, Sweden):

• Austria visa
• Belgium visa
• Czech Republic visa
• Croatia visa
• Denmark visa
• Estonia visa
• Finland visa
• France visa
• Germany visa
• Greece visa
• Hungary visa
• Iceland visa
• Italy Visa
• Latvia visa
• Liechtenstein visa
• Lithuania visa
• Luxembourg visa
• Malta visa
• Netherlands visa
• Norway visa
• Poland visa
• Portugal visa
• Slovakia visa
• Slovenia visa
• Spain Visa
• Sweden visa