Types of Visas to Switzerland

Did you know that in January 2019, Switzerland bagged the award for being the best country in the world in the annual Best Countries report and that too, for the third consecutive time, according to an article on The Local. What makes this country stand out from the rest is its cuisine, national hero, political setup, and, most importantly, its amazing landscapes. 

With 18.4 million tourists visiting the nation in the first six months of 2018 alone, Switzerland is certainly a favorite holiday destination for people from all across the world. And, the first step to visiting this natural wonderland is to get yourself a visa. 

Also read: Switzerland Visa Fees

Depending on the purpose of your travel to Switzerland, tourism, education, or work, you will need to choose the right type.

Short and Long-Term Visas to Switzerland

You are eligible to stay in any EU country for 3 months with a Short Stay Visa. For any period longer than that, you need to get yourself a Long Stay Visa.

The latter is usually the national visa of the specific EU nation, Switzerland in this case, since you are planning to stay there longer than 3 months. Nearly14.2 million people traveled using their Schengen visas in 2018 in various parts of Europe, says an article on Schengen Visa Info.

Types of Short-Term Visas to Switzerland

1. Swiss Business Schengen Visa
   This is granted to anyone wanting to visit Switzerland and other Schengen areas for the sole purpose of conducting business. The validity of this visa is up to 90 days.
2. Swiss Visitor Schengen Visa
   This visa type is issued to all third-country nationals, who intend to visit their friends or family living in Switzerland. It is best to apply for this visa at least 15 days prior to your scheduled visit.
3. Swiss Tourist Schengen Visa
   This tourist visa is meant for visiting Switzerland and other Eurozone nations for leisure. The validity is up to 90 days across a period of six months.
4. Swiss Medical Schengen Visa
   This visa is issued to anyone looking for medical treatment in Switzerland or any other country in the Eurozone. The validity of this visa is also up to 90 days.
5. Schengen Visa for Cultural Events
   Anyone traveling under this visa is permitted to attend various cultural, sports, religious and film events in the EU nations. 
6. Swiss Schengen Visa for Official Visits
   This one is meant for those traveling to Switzerland for the purposes of attending meetings, consultations, negotiations, exchange programs, or any other professional event in the Schengen zone.
7. Swiss Student Schengen Visa
   If you intend to visit Switzerland for short-term study purposes, this is the visa you need to apply for. It is valid for a maximum of 3 months.
8. Transit Schengen Visa
   If you need to enter the Schengen zone for the sole purpose of changing your means of transport, this visa is all you need.

Apart from these, single, double, and multiple-entry visas can also be applied for, depending on the frequency of your travel to Switzerland within a period of 12 months.

Once you’ve applied for the right visa type, you can start planning for your trip to the Alps.