Widely known as one of the most developed countries in the world, Switzerland is a very popular destination for tourists and immigrants. Large cities such as Zurich and Geneva are economic hotspots and offer many opportunities to immigrants. 

The peak population is 8,509,898 individuals and it is important to note that the country is not part of the European Union, despite being a founding member of EFTA (European Free Trade Association).

The country has not been involved in any wars since 1815, making it one of the most peaceful places to live! If you’re looking to emigrate to Switzerland, reaching out to an experienced immigration lawyer may help in expediting your application process.

Requirements for Entry 

For EU/EEA nationals, there will only be a need to present identification at the time of entry. This is because Switzerland lies in the Schengen Zone common travel areas. However, if you are not an EU/EEA traveler, you will require a few documents to enter Switzerland. 

These include:

  • Valid Visa: You would have to obtain a valid visa for your purpose of stay.
  • Passport: Your passport should be issued within the last 10 years and the validity date should be until at least 3 months after you plan to leave Switzerland. (This does not apply to British nationals)

Common Questions Asked By Border Officers

You may be asked questions certain questions such as how long you intend to stay, what your purpose of visiting is, and you also may be required to present proof of accommodation. Keep in mind, the border officers have final say on whether you will be permitted to enter after concluding that you do not present any form of risk.

Requirements for Swiss Visas

If you meet the criteria mentioned below, you would be required to obtain a short term visa before entering Switzerland.

  1. If your application has been rejected previously from any other Schengen country, despite belonging from a country that has a visa liberalization agreement. 
  2. If your country does not have a Schengen visa liberalization agreement with Schengen states. 

The length of stay for your Schengen visa is 90 days. If you intend to stay for a longer period of time, you may wish to apply for some other visa type instead.

Here are some of the documents required to obtain a Swiss visa:

  • Passport Size Photos: These photos should comply with Schengen photograph requirements, where it is recommended to have a grey background with a close up of the face with a neutral expression. 
  • Travel Insurance: Before applying, you need to at least book travel insurance from a reliable provider. Make sure you pick a plan that provides good coverage and has an affordable premium. There are some policies recommended by the embassies, as they fulfill all Schengen Visa requirements. These include policies from Europ Assistance and AXA Assitance. 
  • Other Documentation: If you’re applying with your spouse and children, you would need to provide your translated marriage certification and a translated birth certificate. The documents must be in English, otherwise they would have to be translated by a third party translator. A translated marriage certificate is also required if you are applying for a spouse visa.
  • Proof of Accommodation: You must have valid proof of accommodation such as hotel bookings and more to fulfill this requirement.
  • Application Form: Carefully fill out the form to ensure you do not make any mistakes. Enter correct information and double check for spelling errors and more.
  • Prior Visa Copies: If you’ve ever obtained a visa for anywhere else in the world, it is recommended to attach copies of the visa with your application. 
  • Passport: As mentioned previously, you must have a passport that is valid for at least three months after your scheduled exit date. 
  • Proof of Finances: Having documentation ready for your finances is very important as it helps Swiss authorities understand that you will be able to fully support yourself during your stay. If you are a student, you need at least 30CHF, otherwise for regular tourists it needs to be 100CHF.
  • Cover Letter: A letter is required where you explain your reason for visit, where you’re planning to stay, how long you intend to be in the country and more.
  • Return Ticket: You need to also provide proof that you intend to return on a specific date. For this, you should have a document ready that specifies dates of flights, flight numbers and more.