How to apply for a visa for Switzerland in Egypt?

Egypt is one of the countries that requires a visa, so all Egyptians must apply for a visa for Switzerland—whether you are visiting for a short family visit or planning to stay longer in Switzerland. We will guide you step by step on how to apply for an Egypt Switzerland Visa and what documents you absolutely need.

Table of contents:

• Who needs an Egypt Switzerland visa?
• Which visa should Egyptians choose for Switzerland?
• What forms do you need for a Switzerland visa?
• Where can you submit your visa application in Egypt?
• How much does a visa for Switzerland cost in Egypt?
• How long does it take to process the visa?

Who needs an Egypt Switzerland visa?

All Egyptians need a visa to enter Switzerland. Whether you are just visiting for a short time or planning to live and work in Switzerland long-term, the requirement is the same. While there are third countries like Japan, the USA, or Canada whose citizens can enter Switzerland without a visa for short stays, this exemption does not apply to Egypt! On the Swiss Visa Website, you can also check which nationalities require a visa and how to submit their application.

Good to know: Even Swiss citizens must apply for a visa to enter Egypt—this also applies for tourism purposes.

Which visa should Egyptians choose for Switzerland?

There are two types of visas for Switzerland that Egyptians can consider. First, there's the Schengen short-stay visa for stays up to 90 days (without taking up employment) and the national visa for longer stays beyond 90 days. So, before planning a trip from Egypt to Switzerland, you should first ask yourself the following questions, because depending on the length and purpose of your trip, you will need to apply for the correct Egypt Switzerland visa.

1. How long do you want to stay in Switzerland?
2. What is the purpose of your trip to Switzerland?

1. Short-term visa: Schengen visa up to 3 months

If you are planning to stay in Switzerland for no longer than 90 days (within a six-month period), you should apply for a short-term visa, also known as the Schengen visa (Visa category Type C). With a Schengen visa for Switzerland, you can also travel to other Schengen countries as long as your visa is valid. However, unlike a national long-term visa, you are not permitted to take up employment, and the visa is only extendable in exceptional cases.

A Schengen visa for Switzerland is suitable for the following purposes:

• as a visitor visa from Egypt to Switzerland
• as a business visa from Egypt to Switzerland
• as a tourist visa from Egypt to Switzerland
• for medical treatment in Switzerland
• for short-term studies and research stays
• to participate in cultural and sports events
• for transit through Switzerland

2. Long-term visa: National visa for Switzerland over 3 months

If you want to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days or work there, you will need a long-term visa (also known as a national visa or D-visa). A national visa for Switzerland can be extended and is aimed at individuals who wish to study, work, or settle permanently in Switzerland. With a D-visa, you can also visit other Schengen countries as long as your stay in those countries does not exceed 90 days.

A national visa for Switzerland is suitable for the following purposes:

• for family reunification
• for a marriage visa Egypt Switzerland
• for a work visa Egypt Switzerland
• for a training visa Egypt Switzerland
• for a student visa Egypt Switzerland
• for a language course visa for courses over 3 months

What forms do you need for an Egypt Switzerland visa?

For an Egypt Switzerland visa, you will first need the application form, a valid passport, and proof of a visa travel insurance. Depending on the type of visa, you may need to submit additional documents. Especially for national visas, further documentation is required. Always check with the Swiss embassy or consulate in your country for up-to-date information.

Generally, you will need the following for any Egypt Switzerland visa:

• Visa application form: 1 x completed in German, signed, and printed. The form is available on the page of the State Secretariat for Migration.
• Passport: valid passport, which is at least 3 months valid after the visa expires, and has two free pages
• Passport photos: 1 (sometimes 2) biometric passport photos (3.5x4.5cm)
• Travel purpose: Proof of the travel purpose (e.g., confirmation from a tour operator, confirmed hotel reservation, foreign exchange, flight reservation, possibly invitation letter for visiting family or friends)
• Travel health insurance: Travel health insurance for the planned duration of stay and for the entire Schengen Area, with a minimum coverage of €30,000
• Proof of financial means: Proof of financing for the trip

Depending on the purpose of the trip (visit, tourism, family reunification, work, etc.), you may need to submit additional documents, such as proof of language skills. On the page of the Swiss Confederation Egypt Switzerland, you can find the full list of requirements based on the type of visa.

Where can you submit your visa application in Egypt?

Once you have gathered all the required documents for your Egypt Switzerland visa, you must submit them at the Swiss representation in your country. Make an appointment in advance, as you cannot come without an appointment. In Egypt, the Visa department of the Swiss Embassy in Cairo handles visa matters. The Swiss Consulate in Hurghada does not process visas!

If you want to avoid long waiting times, you can also apply for your Schengen visa for a short stay in Switzerland through the external service provider VFS Global in Cairo. However, be prepared for an additional fee of 775 EGP. National D-visas for Switzerland are not processed here; this is solely handled by the Swiss Embassy in Cairo!

Address of the Swiss Embassy in Cairo:
10, Abdel Khalek Sarwat Street 11511 Cairo

Visa Section Opening Hours of the Swiss Embassy* (by appointment only): 

Monday 08:00 - 11:30 
Tuesday 08:00 - 11:30 
Wednesday 08:00 - 11:30 
Thursday closed 
Friday closed 
Saturday closed 
Sunday 08:00 - 11:30

* Please check the website of the Swiss Mission in Egypt to confirm if the opening hours are still up-to-date! 

Inquiries and appointment requests can be sent via email to cairo@eda.admin.ch. Please also note that the Swiss Embassy is closed on official Swiss holidays .

Address of the VFS Global Visa Center in Cairo: 
Visa Application Centre 
52 Lebanon, St, Agouza, 
Cairo Governorate 3752340 
Website: VFS Global Cairo

How much does a visa for Switzerland cost in Egypt?

The fees for Schengen visas are regulated by the EU Visa Code. The amount you pay depends on the age of the applicant. It also matters whether you are a family member of an EU or EFTA citizen.

The visa fee for a Swiss visa must be paid when submitting the application. If you withdraw your application or your visa is rejected, the fee will not be refunded! However, with AXA, you will at least get your money back for the travel health insurance in case of a visa rejection !

How long does it take to process a visa for Switzerland?

Depending on the type of visa, the processing time can be shorter or longer. A Schengen Visa C for Switzerland is usually issued within 15 days . In exceptional cases, however, the decision may take 30 or even 60 days. We therefore recommend that you always apply for your visa well in advance of your trip! 

An application for a national Visa D usually takes at least one month, but often longer, as the Swiss cantons are also involved, and a residence permit is required. The processing time varies from canton to canton and depends on the purpose of the stay. 

If you, as an Egyptian national, want to work in Switzerland, you must obtain a work permit from the respective canton. Only with this permit will your work visa be issued. Since two different Swiss authorities are involved in your visa application, the processing time is accordingly longer! 

You might also be interested in 

• What is a guest insurance for Switzerland? 
• What should an invitation letter for Switzerland look like? 
• How to apply for a Swiss visa in Turkey? 
• How to apply for a Swiss visa in Russia?

Can I apply for a Swiss visa online in Egypt?

No, online applications are currently not possible. You must submit your visa application either at the Swiss Embassy (by prior appointment) in Cairo or at the official partner VFS Global in Cairo. However, the latter only processes Schengen visas, not national visas.

Is a digital certificate of travel health insurance sufficient for a visa application?

Yes, simply print the digital certificate and include it with your visa application. Each AXA Schengen insurance policy is personalized and has a number - which can be verified online on our website.

Do AXA Schengen insurances also cover emergencies related to COVID-19?

Yes, all AXA Schengen insurances cover the costs of treatment related to a COVID-19 infection, but only under the condition that you followed the official travel recommendations and the advice of your doctor.