Overview of Switzerland
Switzerland, a landlocked country in Central Europe, is renowned for its stunning Alpine landscapes, efficient infrastructure, and high standard of living. With a population of approximately 8.6 million, the official languages include German, French, Italian, and Romansh. Switzerland is famous for its pristine lakes, world-class cities like Zurich and Geneva, and a rich cultural heritage that blends tradition with modernity. Although not a member of the European Union, Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, allowing for seamless travel across member states.
Switzerland Schengen Visa Eligibility
Schengen visa eligibility for Switzerland includes third-country nationals from the following states, who are excluded from visa-free to Switzerland/the Schengen area, and are therefore eligible to apply for a Schengen visa to Switzerland:
| 1. AFGHANISTAN | 53. LAOS |
| 2. ALGERIA | 54. LEBANON |
| 3. ANGOLA | 55. LESOTHO |
| 4. ARMENIA | 56. LIBERIA |
| 5. AZERBAIJAN | 57. LIBYA |
| 6. BAHRAIN | 58. MADAGASCAR |
| 7. BANGLADESH | 59. MALAWI |
| 8. BELARUS | 60. MALDIVES |
| 9. BELIZE | 61. MALI |
| 10. BENIN | 62. MAURITANIA |
| 11. BHUTAN | 63. MONGOLIA |
| 12. BOLIVIA | 64. MOROCCO |
| 13. BOTSWANA | 65. MOZAMBIQUE |
| 14. BURKINA FASO | 66. NAMIBIA |
| 15. BURMA/MYANMAR | 67. NAURU |
| 16. BURUNDI | 68. NEPAL |
| 17. CAMBODIA | 69. NIGER |
| 18. CAMEROON | 70. NIGERIA |
| 19. CAPE VERDE | 71. NORTH KOREA |
| 20. CENTRAL AFRICAN REPUBLIC | 72. OMAN |
| 21. CHAD | 73. PAKISTAN |
| 22. CHINA | 74. PAPUA NEW GUINEA |
| 23. COMOROS | 75. PHILIPPINES |
| 24. CONGO | 76. QATAR |
| 25. COTE D’IVOIRE | 77. RUSSIA |
| 26. CUBA | 78. RWANDA |
| 27. DEMOCRATIC REPUBLIC OF CONGO | 79. SAO TOME AND PRINCIPE |
| 28. DJIBOUTI | 80. SAUDI ARABIA |
| 29. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC | 81. SENEGAL |
| 30. ECUADOR | 82. SIERRA LEONE |
| 31. EGYPT | 83. SOMALIA |
| 32. EQUATORIAL GUINEA | 84. SOUTH AFRICA |
| 33. ERITREA | 85. SOUTH SUDAN |
| 34. ETHIOPIA | 86. SRI LANKA |
| 35. FIJI | 87. SUDAN |
| 36. GABON | 88. SURINAME |
| 37. GAMBIA | 89. SWAZILAND |
| 38. GHANA | 90. SYRIA |
| 39. GUINEA | 91. TAJIKISTAN |
| 40. GUINEA-BISSAU | 92. TANZANIA |
| 41. GUYANA | 93. THAILAND |
| 42. HAITI | 94. TOGO |
| 43. INDIA | 95. TUNISIA |
| 44. INDONESIA | 96. TURKEY |
| 45. IRAN | 97. TURKMENISTAN |
| 46. IRAQ | 98. UGANDA |
| 47. JAMAICA | 99. UZBEKISTAN |
| 48. JORDAN | 100.VIETNAM |
| 49. KAZAKHSTAN | 101.YEMEN |
| 50. KENYA | 102.ZAMBIA |
| 51. KUWAIT | 103.ZIMBABWE |
| 52. KYRGYZSTAN |
Third party nationals from the following entities/territories are also required to apply for a Schengen visa: KOSOVO and the PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY.
When to Apply for a Switzerland Schengen Visa
Applicants should submit their Switzerland Schengen visa applications no more than six months before their planned trip and no later than 15 calendar days prior to departure. It is advisable to apply well in advance to accommodate any potential processing delays.
Processing Time for Switzerland Schengen Visa
The processing time for a Switzerland Schengen visa typically ranges from 10 to 15 calendar days from the date of application. However, during peak travel seasons or in individual cases, processing times may extend up to 30 or even 60 days. Therefore, early application is recommended to ensure sufficient time for visa processing.
Important Entry Notes
Your visa may be revoked if you do not notify the Swiss consulate or visa application center of any changes to your travel itinerary after submitting your application. Possession of a Schengen visa does not guarantee entry into Switzerland or the Schengen Area; border authorities have the final decision on entry and may require additional documentation. Be prepared to present documents verifying your financial means, accommodation details, and the purpose of your visit upon arrival in Switzerland.
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it is recommended to consult the official Swiss consulate or embassy in your country before planning your trip.
