Features of obtaining a visa for a trip to Switzerland. Obtaining a visa to Switzerland Will they be allowed into Switzerland with a Schengen visa

Switzerland has never been a member of the EU. Therefore, doubts often arise whether Switzerland is included in the Schengen.

Not everyone knows that participation in not necessarily implies membership in the EU. A number of European states, including Switzerland, are not members of the EU, but are part of the Schengen area.

What kind of visa do you need to travel to Switzerland

Depending on the purpose of the trip and the required time of stay in the country, the following are issued:

Short-term Schengen visa with the right to stay up to 90 days.
National visa with the right to stay more than 90 days.

Gift: 2100 rubles for housing!
When registering via the link in AirBnB, you will receive 2100 rubles to your account.
For this money you can rent good apartments for 1 day abroad or in Russia. The bonus only works for new accounts.

Short stay Schengen visa

The first step to obtaining a short-term Schengen visa is to decide on the main purpose of visiting the country. According to the purpose of the trip, the following types short stay visa:

Tourist - for persons whose main purpose of travel is tourism with hotel accommodation, as well as for owners of real estate in the country.
Guest - for those who are planning a trip at the invitation of relatives or friends with accommodation in their home.
Business visa - for persons planning a visit to the country as part of doing business, holding seminars and other events aimed at developing business relations between Russian and Swiss companies.
Visa for official visits - for persons intending to attend congresses, seminars, other events by official invitation international organization.
Accredited company – for employees or business partners of a company accredited by the Swiss Business Hub.
Educational - for persons whose purpose of travel is short-term education or passing exams.
Visa for medical care - for persons planning a visit for the purpose of receiving treatment or medical consultations.
Transit - for applicants traveling to their main place of residence outside the Schengen area via Switzerland.
Airport transit - for being in the international transit zone of the airport. Required only by citizens of certain countries. Not required for Russians.
Visa for participation in sports events - for participants in sports events and training camps in Switzerland. This category includes athletes, coaches, service personnel. Spectators cannot obtain this visa.
Visa for participation in cultural events - for applicants participating in relevant events in the country. Spectators are not included in this category.

National visa (category D)

A long-term national visa is applied for in the following cases:

Study visa - for those who plan to study in the country for a period of more than 90 days.
Extended residence/family reunification visa - for those who plan to reside in the country for a long time or wish to reunite with a family member who is in Switzerland (without the right to work).

Where to apply for a short stay visa

The application is submitted at the place of residence to the authorized Swiss visa centers in Russia. In 2020, they are presented by TLScontact.

You can get information about TLScontact visa centers on the official website of the company.

Residents of the Kaliningrad region can apply to the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia (based on a representation agreement).

In a number of cases, the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Republic of Latvia is not authorized to accept applications. If the purpose of the trip is related to the performance of work, it is medical nature or is an official visit should contact Visa Center TLScontact or directly to the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.

Applicants who are exempt from fingerprinting or have submitted biometric data to a representative office within the last 5 years may apply by mail.

Where to apply for a national visa

As of 2020, an application for a Swiss national visa can only be applied to the Visa Section of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.

How to make an appointment at the embassy or visa application center

To apply in person, follow these steps:

Register on the official website of TLScontact.
Choose on the site a convenient time to visit the TLScontact visa application center or the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.
Print an appointment notice.
At the appointed time, come to the appointment, having with you a printed notice of the appointment and the documents necessary for registration.

biometric data

From September 14, 2015, when applying for a short-stay Schengen visa, the applicant provides biometric data (fingerprints and digital photo). This is done once every 5 years. When re-applying to the representative office of any other Schengen member state over the next 5 years, it is not necessary to undergo biometrics.

The following are exempted from the fingerprinting procedure:

Children under 12 years old.
Applicants who are physically unable to do so.

Visa and service fees

Citizens of Russia, when applying for a short-term visa, pay a visa fee of 35 euros. Payment is made only in rubles according to the exchange rate set by the Embassy of Switzerland on the day of application. The visa fee is not paid for children under 6 years of age.

And also a service fee of 1900 rubles is charged from applicants. for the services provided by the TLScontact visa center.

The visa fee when applying for a national visa is 60 euros for adults, 35 euros for children aged 6-12, and is not charged for children under 6 years of age. Payment is also made in rubles at the established exchange rate.

Visa and service fees are non-refundable.

What are the reasons for visa refusal

The most common reasons for rejection are:

Violations visa regime the applicant on previous trips.
Providing an incomplete package of documents.
Applying for a type of visa that does not match the purpose of the trip.
Insufficient funds for the trip.
Providing fictitious documents.
The information provided by the applicant is not confirmed during the verification process by an employee of the embassy.
Other reasons.

Switzerland is a prosperous Western European state, whose capital is the city of Bern. Going on a trip to Europe, the traveler immediately asks questions: is the country included in the Schengen agreement and the European Union, what visas give the right to visit it? And for those who are going to visit Switzerland regularly or move there to live, the task is to obtain a Swiss visa.

What kind of visa do you need to travel to Switzerland?

The State of Switzerland is a valid member of the Schengen area. However, it is not part of the European Union.

You can enter Switzerland on a Schengen visa issued by any country. A visa is also not required for citizens of the CIS countries who are holders of residence permits or national visas of the Schengen countries or holders of diplomatic passports of Armenia, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Moldova, Russia and Ukraine and official passports of Moldova and Ukraine. These documents are suitable for a continuous stay on Swiss territory for up to three months. However, to open a visa and be on it most of the time should be in the country that issued it. In all other cases, you need to apply for a visa to Switzerland.

A Swiss transit visa is needed to travel through its territory to another country. If you do not have a valid Schengen visa, you will even need it for a transfer at the capital's airport.

Video: Switzerland enters Schengen

Types of Swiss visas

The Swiss Foreign Ministry issues several types of visas.

Schengen visas of type C are valid not only on Swiss territory, but also in all Schengen states. They are issued for the following travel purposes:

transit,
studies,
treatment,
official visit,
participation in sports, cultural, scientific events,
business visit,
private trip.

National type D visas are designed for long-term stay in the country and are issued for applicants planning to study or reunite with their families.

An entry work visa is required to work in Switzerland. It is issued only after the employer receives a work permit for the applicant from the state authorities.

Where to get a visa for Russians, Ukrainians, Belarusians and other foreigners?

To obtain a visa, you must personally submit a package of documents to the Swiss representation - embassy or consulate. A Schengen visa can be issued through one of the authorized visa centers.

Where to go to the Russians

The only representative office of Switzerland is located in Moscow. Applicants must pre-book an appointment through the visa application center website or by phone.

Citizens of the Russian Federation living in the Kaliningrad region can apply at the consular section of the Latvian Embassy in Kaliningrad. However, the office does not include the following matters:

issuance of short-term visas for trips related to work, treatment,
issuance of national visas,
issuance of visas for short-term official visits to persons with diplomatic, service, special and ordinary passports who are not citizens of the Russian Federation.

In the above cases, applicants must apply to the visa section of the Swiss Embassy.

Applications for national and work entry visas are only accepted at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow.

You can also apply for a visa at special TLScontact points that operate in Moscow, St. Petersburg, and other large cities. Contact information is available at the link.

You can submit documents to the visa application centers in person or by mail through the DHL delivery service.

Addresses of embassies in the CIS countries

Citizens of the CIS countries apply for a Swiss visa:

from Armenia - at the Swiss Embassy in Yerevan,
from Azerbaijan and Turkmenistan - at the Swiss Embassy in Baku,
from Belarus - at the Swiss Embassy in Warsaw or at the Hungarian Embassy in Minsk,
from Georgia - at the Swiss Embassy in Tbilisi,
from Kazakhstan and Tajikistan - at the Swiss Embassy in Astana,
from Kyrgyzstan - at the Swiss Embassy in Bishkek,
from Ukraine and Moldova - at the Swiss Embassy in Kiev,
from Uzbekistan - at the Swiss Embassy in Moscow or at the Latvian Embassy in Tashkent.

How can you apply for a visa yourself?

Contacting the embassy

You can apply for a visa at the Swiss embassy. The process includes several steps:

Registration in personal account on the website of the visa center.
Making an appointment through the website of the visa center (if you plan to apply for a Schengen visa, you need to make an appointment by phone).
Preparation of necessary documents.
Printout of the notice of appointment at the consulate.
Submission of documents on the appointed day, removal of biometric data.
Repeated visit to the embassy and obtaining a passport with a visa.

Obtaining through the visa center

If the applicant intends to apply to the visa center, the procedure will be as follows:

Registration on the website of the visa center (as in the previous case).
Preparation of documents, according to the list generated by the system.
Online appointment in your personal account and printout of the notice of appointment.
Visiting the visa center, submitting documents, taking biometric data.
Tracking the status in your personal account.
Obtaining a passport with a visa.

Upon receipt of a passport, the applicant must have a general passport and a checklist of documentation, which is issued after its submission.

If the applicant does not come to the appointment at the appointed time, a re-appointment will be required.

Passing Biometrics

The procedure for taking biometric data is mandatory from September 14, 2015. It involves fingerprinting and taking a digital photograph. Information about each applicant is stored in a single database - the Visa Information System (VIS) - for 59 months, after which the procedure is repeated.

If the applicant has previously undergone the procedure for removing biometric information, the documents can be submitted and received by a representative. For this you will need:

a copy of the applicant's passport,
documentation checklist (issued at the visa center),
free-form handwritten power of attorney (not needed if documents are submitted by a close relative),
copy and original of the representative's passport,
documents confirming the relationship (if the representative is a close relative of the applicant).

The following categories of applicants are exempted from taking biometric information:

Children under 12 years old.
Individuals who are physically unable to undergo a fingerprint scan. If less than 10 fingers can be scanned, then as many as possible should be scanned. If the impossibility is temporary, then the applicant will be required to undergo a screening procedure during the next visa application.
Heads of state or government and members of the national government with their spouses accompanying them, as well as members of official delegations when traveling for an official purpose at the invitation of a Schengen country or an international organization.

Sending documents by courier

Applicants who are exempt from submitting biometric information or who have previously received a visa marked with VIS can apply to the visa application centers through the DHL delivery service. The procedure includes the following steps:

Registration in your personal account on the website of the visa center (as in other cases).
Preparation of necessary documents, according to the generated list.
Payment of service and visa fees online through the website of the visa center.
A call to the call center to clarify the date and place of sending documents (+7 495 9958512, +7 495 2322334 from 09:00 to 12:30 and 13:00 to 17:00 on weekdays).
Payment for intermediary services to the DHL courier and sending documents to the address: Russia, Moscow, BC Delta Plaza, 2nd Syromyatnichesky lane 1, index 105120, recipient - TLScontact Switzerland Visa Center.
Receive notification from the visa center staff about the acceptance of documents.
Tracking the status of the application through a personal account.
Obtaining a passport with a visa.

Applicants can also use the “mobile biometrics” service, which includes the visit of a visa center specialist to the applicant at any convenient place and time in order to receive documents and take biometric information.

During the consideration of applications, the consul has the right to invite applicants for a personal interview, request additional documentation and send documents for consideration to the relevant authorities in Switzerland.

Video: new rules for obtaining Schengen

List of required documents and requirements for them

Schengen visa

General list of documents:

application form, fully completed and signed by the applicant,
a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of departure from the Schengen area, having at least two free pages and issued no more than 10 years ago,
copies of pages of a general passport with personal data, information on issued foreign passports, civil status and registration,
2 photographs, one of which must be glued to the application form (photo requirements),
a copy of the health insurance policy valid for the entire period of stay in the Schengen area, with a minimum amount of coverage from 30 thousand euros,
documents confirming the legality of stay on the territory of the Russian Federation (for foreign citizens).

If the passport does not contain Schengen visas, but they were previously issued to the applicant, the embassy recommends attaching the old passport and copies of the pages with personal data and the latest visas to the application.

Depending on the purpose of the visit, applicants must provide additional documents.

Entry for property owners

For owners of real estate in the Schengen countries and their relatives, the list of additional documents will be as follows:

copy official document, confirming the right of ownership, issued no more than 6 months ago (for example, an extract from the land cadastral book),
documents confirming kinship (if a visa is requested for relatives),
certificate from the place of work indicating the position and size wages(for students - a certificate from the place of study or a copy of a student card),
documents confirming solvency, for example, a bank statement for the last three months or a certificate from the bank on the account balance (the applicant must confirm the presence of at least 100 Swiss francs on 1 day of stay in the country),
copies of round-trip air tickets.

Visitor visa by invitation

To visit relatives or acquaintances in Switzerland (including brides and grooms), you need to ask them in advance for an invitation to the country.

Documents for submission to the consulate:

application from the inviting person in Switzerland,
a copy of his personal document,
a copy of documents confirming kinship (if the inviter is a relative),
documents confirming the solvency of the applicant.

Business trip

Documents for a company representative:

certificate from the employer
letter of invitation from a Swiss company,
a copy of the extract from the commercial register of the Swiss company (only the title page and the page with the name(s) of the persons who signed the invitation).

If an individual entrepreneur makes a business visit, instead of a certificate from the employer, you must provide:

certificate 2-NDFL, 3-NDFL, extract from the Unified state register individual entrepreneurs or other evidence of commercial activity,
an account statement for the last 3 months or a bank statement on the account balance.

Participation in events

To participate in sports, cultural, scientific events, you must provide:

an invitation from the organizer of the event,
confirmation of the place of residence and solvency, if the organizers do not assume financial responsibility.

For an official visit:

a letter from the employer confirming the applicant's participation in the event as an official,
petition of an international organization in Switzerland.

Treatment in Switzerland

Documents for persons intending to undergo treatment in Switzerland and their accompanying persons:

certificate from the employer or from the educational institution,
a legible copy of an invitation from a Swiss clinic or hospital signed by a doctor, confirming the fact of full or partial payment for the upcoming treatment,
a bank statement for the last three months or a certificate from the bank on the account balance,
copy of round trip tickets.

Study visa

Schengen visa is issued for short-term study. Documents for her:

letter of confirmation of enrollment in courses or educational institutions (original and copy),
proof of payment for tuition and related expenses (original and copy),
documents confirming the sponsorship of the trip or other documents confirming the availability of funds (if not indicated in the letter).

Documents for transit

For a transit Schengen visa:

travel documents to the main country of destination (copy of visa/entry permit, copy of tickets to the main country of destination),
certificate from the employer or from the educational institution,
documents confirming solvency.

link .

The list of documents for issuing an airport transit visa is the same as that required for a Schengen transit visa. More details can be found at the link.

National visa

Required documents for all applicants:

3 fully completed visa application forms for long-term stay (the form can be downloaded from the link). All designated places must be signed by the applicant,
a passport valid for at least 3 months at the time of departure from the Schengen area and having at least 2 blank pages,
2 copies of the international passport (pages with a photo, full name and signature),
2 copies of the pages of the international passport with the latest Schengen visas,
4 photographs, three of which must be glued to the questionnaires (the requirements for photographs are similar to those for applying for a Schengen visa).

The lists of other documents depend on the purpose of residence in Switzerland.

student visa

To study in Switzerland, you will additionally need:

a letter from a school or university confirming the fact of enrollment (original and 2 copies),
confirmation of the fact of payment for tuition and related expenses in German, French, Italian or English (original and 2 copies),
confirmation of solvency, for example, a bank statement for the last 3 months or a certificate from the bank on the account balance or a sponsorship letter (original and 1 copy),
all diplomas, school certificates, certificates (language courses, internships, olympiads), including attachments with grades (original and 2 copies),
academic certificate with grades, if the training has not yet ended (original and 2 copies),
resume in German, French, Italian or English (2 originals),
a letter of motivation in German, French, Italian or English in 2 copies (indicate the reasons for obtaining an education in Switzerland, its advantages for a professional future),
training plan in 2 copies (drawn up by the applicant in free form in German, French, Italian or English),
an obligation signed by the applicant to leave Switzerland after graduation in 2 copies (drawn up in free form in German, French, Italian or English).

If the applicant is attaching a sponsorship letter, it must additionally indicate the nature of the relationship with the sponsor, and it must also be accompanied by:

documents confirming the solvency of the sponsor,
2 copies of a foreign or general passport of pages with a photo, full name and signature with a translation in German, French, Italian or English.

The sponsorship letter must be written in German, French, Italian or English or translated into one of them.

Family reunification

To move to the family in Switzerland, you must additionally attach:

documents confirming solvency (original and 1 copy translated into German, French or Italian),
certificate of non-conviction with an apostille (original and 1 copy translated into German, French or Italian and notarized),
motivation letter indicating the reasons for the planned move to Switzerland, as well as the future address (in German, French or Italian- original and 1 copy)
2 copies of a foreign passport or residence permit of a family member residing in Switzerland,
a copy of the marriage certificate with an apostille, translated into German, French or Italian and notarized, and 1 photocopy,
an invitation from a family member in Switzerland (in German, French or Italian - original and 1 copy).

Detailed information is available at the link.

Entry work visa

To apply for a work visa, you must first obtain a work permit. The employer is responsible for issuing the permit. The list of general documents is the same as that required for obtaining a national visa. Additionally, an employment contract with a Swiss employer must be attached.

Detailed information is available at the link.

Features for juveniles

The following must be attached to the main package of documents:

copy of birth certificate,
notarized consent of both parents for the child to travel abroad, as well as a copy of it translated into German, French, Italian or English, if the minor is traveling without parents (when a trip is planned with one of the parents, only the consent of the second is required),
a copy of the parent's visa, if a visa for the child is requested separately.

The application form must be signed by one parent.

How long will processing take?

Applications are considered at least three business days in general. This period may be extended up to 2 months if the embassy requests additional paperwork or calls the applicant for an interview.

The Embassy advises to submit a package of documents for obtaining a visa no earlier than 3 months and no later than 2 weeks before the date of the planned trip.

Document cost

The application is considered only after payment of the visa fee, the amount of which is:

2535 rubles (35 euros) for the issuance of Schengen visas to citizens of Russia, Moldova, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Georgia,
4355 rubles (60 euros) for issuing Schengen visas to citizens of other states,
4355 rubles (60 euros) for work entry visas and visas of categories A, D,
RUB 2,535 (EUR 35) for visa categories A, C and D for children aged 6-12.

You do not need to pay for a visa:

spouses, children (including adopted children), parents (including guardians), grandparents, grandchildren of citizens of Switzerland or another Schengen state legally residing in the Russian Federation or at home,
spouses, children (including adopted children), parents (including guardians), grandparents, grandchildren of citizens of the Russian Federation legally residing in Switzerland or on the territory of a country of the Schengen zone,
holders of official passports,
members of official delegations participating in meetings, consultations, negotiations or exchange programs upon an official invitation from a Schengen country or the Russian Federation, as well as participating in events organized by intergovernmental institutions on the territory of the Schengen countries or the Russian Federation,
members of national or regional governments and parliaments, constitutional and supreme courts if they are not exempted from the need to obtain a visa,
students, pupils, graduates and teachers/professors accompanying them traveling for the purpose of education,
disabled people of groups 1 and 2 and their accompanying persons,
to all persons for travel for humanitarian purposes, including travel for the purpose of urgent medical treatment, to the funeral of a close relative or to visit a seriously ill close relative, as well as to persons accompanying them,
participants of international exchange programs organized between sister cities,
participants of international sports youth events and their accompanying persons,
participants of scientific, cultural, creative events, including university and other exchange programs,
children under 6 years old,
persons under the age of 25 traveling to participate in seminars, conferences, sports, cultural, educational events organized by non-profit institutions, as well as persons under the age of 25 representing these non-profit institutions in these events,
researchers traveling to Switzerland for the purpose of conducting scientific research.

Fees are strictly fixed in Euros, but they are charged only in the currency of the country of residence in cash and may change due to currency fluctuations.

If the applicant intends to apply to one of the visa centers, he will also need to pay an additional service fee for the provision of services by this organization - 1900 rubles. Optionally, you can use additional paid services.

Validity and renewal rules

Visas can be issued for one, two or more entries. To obtain multiple entry visa, the applicant must prove the need for regular travel.

Transit visas are generally valid for up to 5 days. You can stay in Switzerland on a Schengen visa for no more than 90 days in one half of the year, and on a national and work visa - continuously throughout the entire period of its validity.

How long a visa will be issued depends on the request in the questionnaire and the conditions of the trip. Visas can be valid from 1 day to 5 years.

Extension of a visa is possible only in the event of force majeure. To do this, you must contact the local immigration authorities at the place of stay in a timely manner before the expiration of the visa (the addresses of the offices can be found at the link). After the visa has expired, you need to leave the country and issue a new entry document.

How to act in case of refusal?

The visa department may refuse for the following reasons:

economic insolvency of the applicant,
low level of regular income indicated in official documents,
foreign trips made earlier in violation of the entry rules,
the presence of relatives who are abroad illegally,
non-compliance of the submitted application with the requested type of visa,
lack of required documents
previous rejections,
the presence of conflicting information in the questionnaire and the documents provided,
providing information that cannot be verified,
sending deliberately false data to the consulate,
having a criminal record or access to classified information,
suspicious interview behavior.

The embassy informs about the circumstances that led to the refusal in a special form, which is issued together with the passport after the application has been processed.

After the refusal, the applicant has the right to re-submit documents or appeal against the decision made by the embassy. This can be done within 1 month after receiving the refusal. An inviting person or organization in Switzerland can file an appeal. To file an appeal, you need to draw up a written appeal in one of the official languages of Switzerland (German, French, Italian) stating the grounds and submit it to the State Secretariat for Immigration, which is located at: Quellenweg 6, 3003 Bern-Wabern. If the applicant does not have legal representative in Switzerland, he has the right to apply to the embassy. The price of an appeal in Moscow is 13,000 rubles. The cover letter details the appeal process.

Video: Switzerland visa review

Since Switzerland is a valid member of the Schengen Agreement, a visa is required to travel to this country. You can do it yourself at the Swiss embassy or at accredited visa centers. If a visa is denied, a foreigner can appeal or repeat the entire procedure.

Switzerland is a popular tourist destination. It is famous for reliable banks, prestigious watches and milk chocolate. To visit all local sights and taste national dishes, you need to obtain an entry permit.

Schengen visa for Russians

Traveling to Switzerland is not possible without a special visa. In 2008, this country joined the Schengen area and eliminated border controls for its neighbors. Russia is not one of them, so its citizens must issue an entry permit.

The advantage of a Schengen visa is that it allows you to visit not only the country of destination, but also other states of the zone.

Illustrated map of Switzerland. The Swiss Confederation is a state in Central Europe bordering Germany in the north, Italy in the south, France in the west, and Austria and Liechtenstein in the east. It has no access to the sea. This is a country of lakes, villages and high Alps.

How to get a visa to Switzerland?

Permission to enter the country is issued with the help of employees of the embassy located in the capital of Russia. It is possible to enter Switzerland on a Schengen visa issued by another state. It may be invalid in some cases:

If a foreign citizen plans to study or work abroad;
Travel to Switzerland will last more than 3 months (standard period for a short stay visa).

The Embassy of Switzerland in Russia is located in Moscow. It is this body that deals with visa issues. Before applying, a citizen must prepare a package of documents necessary for obtaining an entry permit. Must pay upon submission consular fee in the amount of 35 euros.

Travel agencies will help with registration. For a fee, the company will make Schengen even for those who do not purchase a package tour. This is convenient for people who want to save time: just take the documents to the center and just wait for the results.

Geneva is a city near Lake Leman, a world diplomatic and banking center. A city in southwestern Switzerland and the administrative center of the commune of the same name. It is here, on the shores of Lake Geneva, near the border with France, that the headquarters of the UN, the WTO, the Red Cross and other international organizations are located.

Visa types

Permits to enter the territory of the state are divided into two categories: visa C and visa D. Each of them has several varieties, depending on the intention with which a person wants to visit the country.

tourist;
transit;
guestbook.

They are called short-term, as they allow foreign citizens to stay in Switzerland for no more than 3 months.

Basel is a city on the Rhine River in northwestern Switzerland. Basel is the third largest city in the country. Located on the banks of the Rhine River, in a valley between the Jura and Black Forest mountains, near the border of Germany and France. The city, which has an advantageous strategic location, is the center of the pharmaceutical and chemical industries in Switzerland.

Category D visas are issued by those who intend to live abroad for a long time. The goals can be different: getting an education, employment, buying real estate. It is more difficult to make such a permit: the list of documents is longer, it is checked more carefully. Long term visas include:

national;
working;
educational.

Tourist visa to Switzerland

This document allows travelers to stay in the country for no more than 3 months. At the same time, a foreigner cannot engage in income-generating activities within the state.

The Berner Oberland is the highest part of the canton of Bern. The canton of Bern and the Bernese Oberland is the second largest (after Graubünden) and most numerous (after Zurich) canton in Switzerland, it is located in the west of the central part.

Transit visa

It is issued if the purpose of the visit is a third country, which can only be reached through Switzerland. The states of the Schengen area do not fall under this rule. The maximum possible time spent in the country with such a permit is 5 days.

Zurich airport. This commercial airport in Switzerland, the largest in the country and the main hub of the national airline, has three runways. Also known as Kloten Airport. Located within the canton of Zurich, 13 km from the city. It is not difficult to get to the airport: right under the terminal there is an underground railway station, where trains run constantly to the cities of Switzerland.

Visitor visa

For registration, you need an invitation from the host. It can be made up of both physical (relatives, friends) and legal entities(companies). The letter must indicate the reasons and the exact timing of the visit to the state. The document is drawn up only in German.

National visa

This type of permit allows you to stay up to 90 days in the country. It is issued by those who plan to apply for a residence permit in the future.

The Gornergrat railway is the most picturesque route through Switzerland. The Gornergrat railway runs along one of the most beautiful stretches of Switzerland. It allows you to climb in 40 minutes from Zermatt, located at an altitude of 1604 meters above sea level, to the top of Mount Gornergrat, that is, to a level of more than 3 thousand meters.

Work Visa

It is necessary for citizens who plan to find a job abroad. The first step to obtaining this permit is to find a job and conclude employment contract. After that, a foreigner can apply to the Swiss Embassy to submit documents.

How to get a work visa

First, a Russian citizen must receive an official labor contract from the host country. After agreeing on all the conditions, the employer requests from the authorities a residence permit for a foreign citizen, as well as a permit for employment.

Preference is given to Russian specialists with the highest qualifications and experience in this field.

Embassy staff may require you to provide any additional information about a citizen of the Russian Federation.

The University of Geneva is the oldest university in Switzerland. Education at the university is conducted mainly in French at nine faculties (some subjects are read in English, German, Italian, Spanish), about 15,000 students study at them.

Do-it-yourself visa application for Switzerland

It is possible to issue an entry permit without the help of intermediaries. To do this, you need to come to the Swiss embassy located in the capital. If this is not possible, then you need to contact the nearest visa centers. This is convenient for a number of reasons:

The list of all required documents is indicated in the personal account. This means that there is no need to leave the house once again;
You can choose the time to visit the center;
The deadlines for obtaining permission are displayed in your personal account.

It should be borne in mind that the centers do not have the authority to deal with the issuance of a national visa. In this case, you need to personally come to the Embassy.

Obtaining a Swiss visa with the help of the Swiss consular staff is a longer process. This is due to the fact that a limited number of citizens are served daily in it. Appointments are only available by prior appointment.

Lucerne is a city on the shores of the lake of the same name, surrounded by snow-covered mountains. The city is located in the center of the Swiss plateau of the canton of the same name, on the shores of Lake Lucerne. Many buildings of the city are decorated with frescoes or paintings that tell about historical events for which the building was built.

List of documents required for visa application

This list may change depending on the specific situation. First of all, from the purpose of visiting the country. In any case, you need to have the following package of documents ready:

Completed application form. From it, the visa department employees receive all the necessary information about the applicant;
Tourist passport. It must be valid during the trip and at least three more months after it;
A photocopy of the national passport (absolutely all pages are needed that have entries, seals, stamps);
Valid certificate of non-conviction;
Two photographs of the established sample, 3.5x4.5 cm;
Application for a Schengen visa.

This is the main list of documentation that is necessary for issuing a permit of any type.

To visit Switzerland, a Schengen visa is required, which is issued in the same way as in other countries of the Schengen Agreement. In addition to the tourist visa C, the national visa D is popular for long-term or permanent residence in connection with work, study or family reunification. A prerequisite for issuing a Swiss visa is medical insurance from 30 thousand euros.

Additional documents and information

Depending on the purpose of the visit abroad, foreign citizen may need:

Medical insurance policy. The amount of the contribution starts from 30 thousand euros;
Documents confirming the availability of income. For officially working citizens, these will be: a certificate from the head of the enterprise, a certificate of 2 personal income tax. certain rules the first document does not exist. Usually indicate the date of employment, the amount of wages and the position of the employee;
Copy of student card for students of secondary special and higher educational institutions;
A copy of the pension certificate for retired persons;
Bank statement in the absence of a certificate of employment;
Voucher, return ticket or tour. They are needed to confirm that the tourist has a place to live in Switzerland, and that he will leave the country when the visa becomes invalid;
Fingerprints. This rule has been in effect since 2015. Biometrics for obtaining a visa to the Schengen zone must be done every five years.

A confirmed hotel reservation is not needed if a transit visa is issued for a period of less than a day. At the same time, you need to be ready to show employees law enforcement flight tickets. By submitting an application and documents for a visa, the tourist automatically agrees to the processing of personal data.

Basic photo requirements

The background for the picture should be only white, without frames and other decorations. The face can occupy about 70% of the total area of the image. It is forbidden to be photographed in hats, masks, sunglasses and scarves. The presence of a headdress is possible only if the religion requires it. Photos for a visa to Switzerland must be taken no earlier than six months ago. All these requirements are standard for the Schengen countries.

Visa photo for Switzerland. Photo requirements are standard as for any Schengen visa: the photo must be up-to-date, the image is clear, without glare and shadows, on a light background, without hats, except for religious reasons.

You need to take the filling process with all seriousness, as errors in the application form can lead to refusal of entry. You must write in English or one of the official languages of Switzerland. Basic requirements for filling out the application form for obtaining permission to enter the country:

The document can be completed both on a computer and by hand;
The ink can be black or purple;
The questionnaire is filled out in block Latin letters.

All data must be carefully checked several times. Erroneous or false information about the applicant will result in visa refusal.

Application for a visa to Switzerland. The correct filling of the questionnaire plays an important role in making a positive decision on a visa. A significant number of failures are associated with incorrect data entry. The questionnaire must be filled out in legible handwriting in blue or black ink in one of four languages: German, English, French, Italian.

How much does a visa to Switzerland cost for Russians?

When applying for a permit with the help of embassy employees, the fee will be 35 euros. If you apply through the visa center, you will have to pay another 22 euros. In certain situations, an urgent visa may be required. Its registration will cost the traveler 70 euros. For children under the age of 6 years, the consular fee is not charged if the Schengen validity period does not exceed 3 months.

The cost of obtaining a long-term visa is slightly higher. An adult needs to pay a service fee of 70 euros, and a child under 6 years old - 35 euros.

Payment is made in rubles at the exchange rate in force at the time of submission of documents.

The Staubbach Falls near the town of Lauterbrunnen in the canton of Bern. The height of the waterfall is almost 300 meters. This is the second highest waterfall in Switzerland. Due to the high altitude and structural features of the slope, the water turns into a spray cloud by the end of the fall. After rain and at the beginning of the season, when heavy snowmelt begins, the waterfall becomes a very bright object. You can watch the waterfall not only from the outside, but also from a tunnel made in the mountain.

Visa processing time

At self-filing applications, the decision is made no later than three days later. If you use the services of the visa center, you need to add a few more days to this period, during which the documents will reach the embassy and back.

It will take much more time to obtain a long-term visa. You can wait for a decision from several weeks to 6 months.

If you need to be in the country by a certain date, then you need to take care of obtaining a Schengen visa in advance, taking into account possible complications.

The tower of Oberhofen Castle is one of the main monuments of history and architecture of Switzerland. The symbol of the city is a castle with a tower from the 12th century, which houses a branch of the Bernese Historical Museum, located on the shores of Lake Thun in the canton of Bern. The castle is considered one of the most beautiful in Switzerland.

Applying for a visa for a child

Children can cross the borders of other countries if they have permission to enter. To apply for a visa, you will need the following package of documents:

Birth certificate. For children over the age of 14, a personal passport is required. A copy certified by a notary and translated into any of the state languages of Switzerland is attached to the certificate;
Two copies of the questionnaire;
Medical policy;
Two photographs (the requirements for a photo are the same as for images of adults).

Previously, there was a practice of inscribing children under six years old on the pages of their parents' passports. The current rules for entering Switzerland require that the child has a personal document.

Swiss chocolate is a symbol of the Alpine Republic, along with Swiss cheese and Swiss watches. Chocolate appeared in Switzerland at the end of the 17th century as a bitter medicine, using the healing properties of cocoa. Later, the Swiss thought of making the medicine sweet. Anemia, anemia, loss of strength were treated with this medicine. Switzerland is one of the first countries to show interest in the product. In the chocolate museum, you can learn not only the history of the emergence of a confectionery product, but also directly observe the process of its manufacture.

If children cross the border with only one parent, the second must give permission to leave.

In the case when the parents are not married, be sure to take with you a certificate confirming this fact.

If the child does not have a second parent, this will need to be documented at the border. For this, a certificate of death, an assurance that the person is missing, a certificate from the registry office is suitable.

Switzerland is famous for its ski resorts and hiking trails. Tourists often choose this destination for an active or family holiday. Local ski resorts are a world model of an integrated approach to recreation, which takes into account the needs of people of different physical form and age.

In the event that a minor crosses the border with an accompanying person, the latter must have a power of attorney with him. You will also need photocopies of the passports of the child's parents, their permission to leave, confirmation of their financial capabilities. If the trip is paid for by an outsider, a letter from the sponsor must be presented.

All certificates or permissions from parents must be translated into English, French, Italian or German and have a notary seal.

Refusal to issue a visa

The reasons why the state will not accept a foreigner may be different:

Inability to confirm the required amount of income;
Nationality. Visa officials are particularly unfavorable to residents of the Caucasus;
Violations of the rules of stay in the Schengen area;
The presence of close relatives permanently residing in the country with refugee status. Employees may suspect a foreigner of intending to repeat his path;
The purpose of the trip and the type of permit applied for do not match. For example, a person goes to work, and draws up a guest or tourist visa;
Citizen did not provide everything Required documents;
A foreigner has a criminal record;
Possession of classified information;
Inability to contact the citizen. If the employees could not get through to the specified number, did not find the person at the address, this may be regarded as giving false evidence and be a reason for refusal.

Sometimes Switzerland does not give permission to enter if the consular staff has questions. In this case, the foreigner is assigned an interview, during which everything can be resolved both positively and negatively.

After refusal, travel abroad may be prohibited from six months to several years.

Zermatt is a ski resort in the canton of Valais in southern Switzerland, which is located right at the foot of the Matterhorn. This is a high-quality ski resort with developed infrastructure. Every year, outdoor enthusiasts gather here to conquer steep mountain slopes, taste Swiss cuisine and admire the unique landscapes of the Alps. Zermatt is a village located in the southern territories of the canton of Valais in Switzerland, almost on the border with Italy, at an altitude of 1600 m, on the northern slope of the Monte Rosa mountain range.

How to avoid visa rejection

No one is safe from him. However, following the recommendations will help minimize the risk of rejection. You need to carefully fill out the questionnaire, provide only true information about yourself. During the period of consideration of the application, you should not change your place of residence or phone number.

Zurich is a city located north of Lake Zurich in northern Switzerland. It is the capital of the canton of Zurich and the largest city in Switzerland. The city is considered the banking capital of the country and one of the most important financial centers in the world.

Rules for filing an appeal in case of refusal of a visa

If a traveler believes that they have been unreasonably denied permission to enter Switzerland, they can file an appeal. This must be done within a month from the date of receipt of documents with a stamp indicating refusal. An appeal is a letter that sets out all the provisions in support of the applicant. It is also desirable to attach documents confirming the truth of what is written in the letter. The application for review of refusal is accepted at the Swiss Embassy, and from there it is transferred to the Federal Office for Migration of the host country for consideration. The cost of the service is 150 Swiss francs.

Skiing, crystal lakes and ancient castles - all this is available to tourists. To avoid problems with obtaining a visa, you need to carefully prepare and fill out all the documentation. Permission to visit Switzerland opens up huge opportunities, because the rules for entering the Schengen zone allow you to travel with one visa to many European countries.

The Federal Republic of Switzerland is an unusually beautiful state in Europe. This country is one of the few that is not part of the European Union. The main feature of this union is that throughout its territory there is one single currency, for all countries included in it - the euro. So, in Switzerland, the main currency is still the Swiss franc. However, since 2004 the country has been part of the Schengen area, which means that Russian citizens to visit it you need to get a Schengen visa.

A visa to Switzerland for Russians is required if you plan to visit the country for one of the following purposes:

tourism;
business visit;
participation in international conferences, symposiums, exhibitions, seminars, etc.;
guest visit;
entry for the purpose of employment under a contract for one of the enterprises;
travel to study at one of the universities of the country;
departure of a potential bride/groom for the purpose of marriage with a Swiss citizen/citizen;
departure for treatment to the clinic;
attending language courses, etc.

You can enter its territory on a Schengen visa issued by another country. Entry into Switzerland on a Schengen visa obtained earlier is possible only in the following cases:

If it has already been used for its intended purpose, i.e. the first trip was to the country that discovered it.
If the new trip is short term, i.e. does not exceed the 90 days established by the rules.

In addition, in order to apply for a visa at the Embassy of Switzerland, the following basic conditions must be met:

When applying for a visa at the Embassy of Switzerland, especially if you plan to visit several countries that are part of the Schengen area, you should make sure that it is in it that you plan to spend the most overnight stays.
If the number of nights in each of the planned countries is the same, then the “first entry” rule applies. According to him, if you plan to obtain a Schengen visa at the consulate of this country, then the first entry must be through its territory.

If the above conditions are not met, the Embassy has the right to refuse to accept documents.

Types of visas issued

Switzerland issues the following main types of visas:

With the right to stay no more than 90 days within one half year. In other words, it is called short-term.

Such a visa is issued if the purpose of the trip is:

tourism;
language classes;
guest visit;
participation in international sports and cultural events, as well as exhibitions, symposiums, conferences;
meeting with a business partner.

Airport transit visa.
Citizens of some countries when transiting through one of the country's airports must obtain this visa, even if they do not plan to leave the transit zone. Russians do not need to issue it at the moment if:
- transit does not exceed a day and exit from the airport zone is not planned;
- the flight is carried out by one airline or an air alliance. In this case, baggage is checked in at the starting point, and it is issued at the final destination;
- on hand there are boarding passes for all segments of such a flight, which you can ask the airline employee to print out when checking in for the flight.
Please note that when flying from Russia to a third country with 2 transfers in Europe, you must obtain a Schengen visa! For example, when flying: Russia - Switzerland - Spain - Brazil. This is due to the fact that flights within Europe are carried out on the principle of domestic flights and do not have a transit zone.
National long-term visa with a stay of more than 90 days.
Issued if:
- long-term education;
- departure for the purpose of marriage and further residence in Switzerland;
- migration due to family reunification, etc.
Employment visa under contract.
Requested for employment at one of the enterprises of the country.

Required Documents for Swiss Visa

Applying for a visa to Switzerland begins with familiarization with the requirements for documents. This issue should be taken seriously, because incorrectly submitted documents are most often the reason for refusal to issue a visa.

Application form.

It should be noted that it is different for category C and D visas (short-term and long-term). It must be filled out in German or English. Italian and French are also allowed. After filling it out, it is printed out, signed with one's own hand, the photo is pasted in the place allotted for it - in the upper right corner.

Digital photos - 2 pieces, made according to the requirements:

background - light (preferably blue or white);
photo size - 35x40 mm;
70-80% of the entire area should be the face.

Passport for traveling abroad of the established form.
For gluing a visa, it must have at least 2 blank pages.
Copies of previous Schengen visas.
If it has visa stamps issued by the USA, Canada, Australia, this will be a plus and increase the chances of obtaining a Swiss one.
A photocopy of the completed pages of the Russian passport (with personal data, with registration, with a record of children and civil status, with a note on the issuance of a passport).

Depending on the purpose of travel, the list of documents for a Swiss visa may differ.

Tourist visa

In addition to the main package of the above documents, you must provide additional:

Medical policy.

According to the rules, the amount of coverage in it should be 30 thousand euros. Must be valid for the entire duration of the intended stay.

Certificate from the employer confirming employment.

It should contain information about the company, its main details (name, phone number with city code, address with zip code). It is provided in free form and also contains information about the salary, position held, term of work. Must be signed by supervisor or other official who have the right to do so. It should have a round stamp on the bottom.

For the unemployed, as well as for minors - a letter from the sponsoring person, a certificate from his work, documents confirming the relationship with the applicant. For students - a certificate from the university, documents from the sponsor.

Pensioners - a photocopy of the pension certificate.

Confirmation of solvency (certificate from the bank).

Mandatory for all applicants, regardless of their status (unemployed, student, pensioner). For minors, this certificate is provided by a parent or legal guardian. The amount should be at the rate of approximately 90 euros per day of stay per person.

Hotel voucher or confirmed booking.

Copies of round trip tickets or travel plan.

If it is planned on a private car - a copy of the green card.

Children additionally need to provide:

a photocopy of the birth certificate;
certificate from the educational institution;
in the case of leaving only with one of the parents - consent to leave from the other. In his absence, a document confirming this fact (death certificate, certificate from the police that his location due to search activities could not be installed, etc.).

Visitor visa

A number of mandatory additional ones are also required to be attached to the main package. These include:

An official invitation with details of the inviting person, a copy of his Swiss passport or residence permit. It is also necessary to indicate the length of residence of the invited person, the nature of their relationship (friend, relative).
If the inviting person is officially married, then a signature on the petition from both spouses is required.
If invited relative - copies of documents confirming this fact.
As confirmation of the solvency of the invitee - an extract from the bank. It would be best if it was with information on the movement of funds over the past few months. This will greatly increase the chances of a positive response.
If the invitee does not have the opportunity to provide a bank statement, then the inviter can do this, but it will take more time for the entire registration process.

Where and when to apply for a Swiss visa?

For tourists, the easiest and most convenient option is to contact a travel agency. They will help you collect the necessary documents, check them and submit them to the visa application center or the Embassy. It will only be necessary to arrive on the appointed date and time and undergo the mandatory fingerprinting procedure.

Applying for a visa to Switzerland is also easy. This can be done in 2 ways:

Through the visa center.

Please note that since 2017 Swiss visa applications have been accepted and processed at TLScontact.

Its offices operate in Moscow, St. Petersburg and other cities. WITH complete list can be found on their official website. In addition, you can send documents to one of these offices using the DHL delivery service, but it will cost much more, given that you still have to go to the fingerprinting procedure.

Any foreigner can enter Switzerland on a Schengen visa, since this country, not being a member of the EU, signed the Schengen agreement. A Schengen visa is a universal entry permit that allows you to freely enter (leave) the countries of the Schengen zone. You can get a visa on your own, or you can entrust competent specialists who will receive the necessary visa in a few days.

Visa: Schengen and national

If, having received a Schengen visa, a Russian can safely travel to all 26 Schengen countries, including picturesque Switzerland, then a national Swiss visa does not provide such opportunities. The need for a national visa arises when traveling to Switzerland for the purpose of study, in connection with a professional activity or for family reunification / long-term residence. The national visa is long-term and is granted for a period of more than 90 days.

Going to Switzerland on a Schengen visa, Russians, in addition to Swiss mountain resorts and hot springs, can see the sights of all the other 25 Schengen countries. Switzerland provides foreigners with three options for short-term visa permits - guest, business, tourist. Guest Schengens are opened to Russians who go to visit relatives or friends living in Switzerland - its citizens or holders of a residence permit.

A business visa is open to persons traveling to Switzerland on business-related matters. A tourist visa permit is issued to persons traveling to Europe on holiday. In this case, the hotel must be booked in advance. Also with a tourist visa travel as part of bus tours. Short-term Schengen visas are also used for treatment, medical consultations, sports and cultural events. A transit visa pass is also considered a short-term visa permit. It is necessary for citizens crossing Switzerland when traveling to another state that is not part of the EU.

How to enter Switzerland?

Foreigners can enter Switzerland on a Schengen visa, provided by the consulate of any country that is a signatory to the Schengen. As a signatory to the agreement of the same name, Switzerland freely hosts all foreigners with Schengen visas. Thus, going to Italy or Spain using a Schengen visa issued by the Italian or Spanish embassies, respectively, a Russian can also pay a visit to the pearl of the European continent - the beautiful country of Switzerland.

Documents for a visa

The packages of documents collected for different types of visas to Switzerland differ only in some details. The standard list of required documents includes:
. Passport (must remain valid for another 90 days after the end of the trip, at least).
. Photos - 2 pcs. It is important to comply with the visa photo requirements.
. Completed application form (language - German, English, French).
. Medical policy (copy).
. Financial guarantees.
. Booking tickets.
. Help from work.
. Copies of old Schengen visas.

Also on topic

Lee Priest: biography, training, steroids How old is the priest

Whey Protein vs. Casein: Which is Better?

What is useful and harmful grapes, calorie content, use for weight loss Powerful antioxidant effect

How to pump up in a month at home

Basic rules for separate nutrition: menu for weight loss, acceptable food combinations