Swiss visa for Russians: How the application works!

Are you a Russian citizen and want to explore Switzerland? The Alpine nation invites with snow-covered mountain peaks, crystal-clear lakes, and culinary highlights. In this article, we show you how entry into Switzerland for Russian citizens works, what entry requirements you need to be aware of, and how you can apply for a Swiss visa for Russians.

Who needs a visa for Switzerland?

Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, a group of 27 European countries that have made it their mission to create a borderless Europe. The Schengen Area includes 23 EU member states as well as the 4 EFTA states: Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, which form the European Free Trade Association. EU and EFTA citizens can move freely within the Schengen Area, only needing to carry their national ID card.

Citizens from third countries (countries outside the EU and Schengen Area) are generally required to have a visa. However, the Schengen states have signed visa liberalization agreements with some countries, so the citizens of those third countries do not need a visa for entry into the Schengen Area if the stay is no longer than 90 days. For 104 third-country nationals, visa requirements still apply. This includes Russian citizens. This means that Russians need a Schengen visa for entry into Switzerland.

Swiss visa for Russians: What type of visa do I need?

The first question you should ask yourself is: How long do you plan to stay in Switzerland or the Schengen Area and what is the reason for your trip? Are you coming as a tourist, for a business trip, or to attend a conference in Switzerland? Or do you plan to stay long-term for studies or work in Switzerland? There are two main types of Schengen visas that may be relevant to you:

1. Short-term Swiss visa for Russians: Schengen visa
   This Schengen visa is suitable for you if you plan to stay no more than 90 days within 180 days in Switzerland and the Schengen Area. With this visa, you can engage in tourist activities, take a short-term language course in one of the official Swiss languages, or participate in conferences or cultural/sporting events.
    
2. Long-term Swiss visa for Russians: National visa
   If you plan to stay in Switzerland for a longer period, the Schengen Type D visa, the so-called national visa for Switzerland, is the right option. The national visa allows a stay of more than 90 days. Apply for this visa for entry into Switzerland if you plan to study or work in Switzerland, if family reunification is planned, or if you intend to marry a Swiss citizen. Since this visa can be converted into a residence permit, a permit from a cantonal migration office is required to grant the visa.

Where can I submit my visa application in Russia?

To apply for a Swiss visa for Russians, Swiss foreign representations work with the official service provider TLScontact. TLScontact provides information about the different types of Schengen visas and helps you submit the right visa application based on your travel purpose. TLScontact has locations in the following Russian cities: Yekaterinburg, Moscow, Novosibirsk, Rostov-on-Don, and St. Petersburg. Additionally, in other Russian cities, you can submit your application via a Dropbox center using DHL.

• Schengen visa applications via TLScontact center:
  If you want to apply for a short-term visa Type C (Schengen visa for Switzerland) for up to 90 days, you must submit your application through TLScontact.
  Good to know: If your biometric data, i.e., your fingerprint scan, has already been taken for another Schengen visa in the past 59 months, you can send all the documents to the TLScontact Visa Application Center and do not need to appear in person!
   
• National visa applications at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow:
  If you are applying for a long-term visa Type D (national visa for Switzerland) for more than 90 days, you need to make an appointment at the embassy via the TLScontact center in Moscow and later submit your application at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow. TLScontact does not process national visa applications!

Swiss visa for Russians: How long does the processing take?

If a complete application is submitted to TLScontact, the service provider states that the average processing time is at least three working days – this applies only to short-term stays for Russian citizens, i.e., for the Schengen Type C visa. Additionally, time for transport to the Swiss foreign representation (both ways) should be factored in. For national D visas for Switzerland, you should expect a processing time of about 6 to 12 weeks, as your visa application will first be forwarded to the responsible cantonal migration office in Switzerland.

When should I apply for a Swiss visa in Russia?

All visa applications can be submitted up to a maximum of 180 days before the planned entry. It is advisable to apply for your short-term Schengen visa for Switzerland at least 15 calendar days before departure. For national long-term visas, we recommend applying for your Swiss visa well in advance, preferably 3 months before the planned entry into Switzerland.

Tip: When applying, keep in mind that both Swiss and Russian holidays can cause delays in processing. Also, during the holiday season, operations at Swiss foreign representations may be delayed.

How much does a Swiss visa cost in Russia?

To apply for a Swiss visa for Russians, you need to pay the visa fees to the Swiss foreign representations and the service fees to the official service provider TLScontact.

Short-term visas (Schengen visa):

• Persons aged 6 and above: 35 € (2500 RUB)
• Children under 6 years old: free
• Service fee TLScontact: approximately 26 € (2530 RUB)

For the short-term Schengen visa, citizens from Russia, Georgia, Ukraine, Moldova, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina pay a reduced visa fee of only 35 Euros (instead of the usual 80 Euros!). Additionally, you must pay the service fee for TLScontact for each visa application. Fees are subject to exchange rate fluctuations and are paid in Rubles.

Long-term visas (National visas for Switzerland):

• Adults: 5650 RUB
• Children from 6 to 12 years old: 2850 RUB
• Children under 6 years old: free

Attention: Paying the visa fees does not guarantee that your visa for Switzerland will be granted! If your visa application is denied, the paid fees are non-refundable.

Entry to Switzerland: Ensure adequate health insurance!

To ensure your visa application is approved, you will need Schengen visa health insurance. For this, AXA Schengen offers three different health insurance policies for foreigners to enter the Schengen Area. All three policies meet the minimum requirements of the foreign representations of the Schengen states and provide comprehensive coverage based on your needs. There is an AXA-Schengen Low-Cost insurance, which can be purchased for as little as 22 Euros per week. For expanded coverage, the AXA-Schengen Europe Travel health insurance is recommended. Frequent travelers will find the AXA Schengen Multi Trip annual insurance ideal!

These articles may also interest you

• How to apply for a work visa for Switzerland?
• How to apply for a tourist visa for Switzerland?
• How to apply for a marriage visa for Switzerland?
• How to apply for a visitor visa for Switzerland?
• What should an invitation letter for Switzerland look like?
• How to apply for a visa for Switzerland in Turkey?
• France visa: Requirements, documents, and application

FAQ: Swiss Visa for Russians

What do I need to enter Switzerland?

EU/EFTA citizens can enter Switzerland visa-free with their national identity card. Certain third-country nationals have signed visa liberalization agreements with the Schengen countries and only need their passport for short stays. For 104 third-country nationals, a visa is required, meaning they need both an international passport and a valid Schengen visa.

How much does a Swiss visa cost for Russians?

Russian citizens pay 35 Euros for the short-term Schengen visa Type C. This visa for Switzerland allows a stay of up to 90 days. The visa fees are paid in rubles and are subject to exchange rate fluctuations.

Who needs a visa for Switzerland?

Depending on nationality, a visa may be required for entry into Switzerland. Russian citizens require a visa and need a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland.