How Indian passport holders get a visa for Switzerland: visa type, government fee, processing time, maximum stay, the documents required and where to apply. Government-sourced — always verify on the official site before you travel.
Quick facts
- Visa type: Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India
- Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS Global service charge ~₹2,690. Travel insurance mandatory.
- Processing time: Officially 10–15 working days from receipt at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres (add 2–3 working days courier from non-Delhi cities).
- Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area
- Interview: Not required
- Ease for Indian travellers: 36/100
Documents you'll need
- Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years
- Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
- Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard)
- Cover letter with purpose and itinerary
- Confirmed round-trip flight booking
- Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary
- Bank statements for last 3 months (Switzerland is expensive — show comfortable funds)
- ITR for last 2 years
- Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover
- Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST and company registration
How & where to apply
Apply through the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global Switzerland (NOT TLScontact for India). VFS Switzerland centres operate in 13 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Pune. From August 2025 Switzerland only accepts documents on the official checklist — extras are returned. VFS Global — Switzerland visa India (official partner)
Transit & connections
An ordinary Schengen visa lets you transit any Schengen airport landside (Switzerland is Schengen-compliant though not in the EU).
How Switzerland compares in Schengen Europe
With an ease score of 36/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. Switzerland requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
| Country | Visa type | Government fee | Processing |
|---|---|---|---|
| 🇨🇭 Switzerland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS Global service charge ~₹2,690. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days from receipt at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres (add 2–3 working days courier from non-Delhi cities). |
| 🇮🇸 Iceland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — via Denmark embassy + VFS in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024). Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS Global service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Royal Danish Embassy New Delhi (which represents Iceland). Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 8 weeks during the May–September peak. |
| 🇪🇸 Spain | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via BLS International in India | €90 short-stay visa fee (in force since 11 June 2024) — collected in INR (~₹9,599 for adults; ~₹4,799 for children 6–12; under 6 free). BLS International service charge extra (~₹1,802). Travel medical insurance (~₹300–1,500/week) is mandatory. | Officially 10–15 working days at the Spanish Embassy New Delhi or Consulate General Mumbai. Realistically 2–4 weeks; longer during May–August peak. |
| 🇫🇮 Finland | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45; under 6: free. VFS service charge extra (~₹2,000–2,400). Travel medical insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; up to 8 weeks in May–August aurora and summer peak. |
| 🇩🇰 Denmark | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~₹2,000–2,400. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days from receipt at the Danish Embassy New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres; allow 4 weeks minimum in March–September peak. |
| 🇳🇴 Norway | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge (~₹2,000 / €20). Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 working days. Realistically 3–5 weeks; up to 45 working days in peak. Add 2 days courier from Delhi, 4–6 days from other cities. |
| 🇸🇪 Sweden | Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India | €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS service charge ~€19 / ~₹1,800–2,000. Travel insurance mandatory. | Officially 15 calendar days. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres. |
Fees and processing times are indicative and change with exchange rates and season — always confirm on each country's official source before applying.
Good to know
For India, Switzerland uses VFS Global — not TLScontact (which Switzerland uses in many other countries). Stick to the official VFS Switzerland portal. Visa rules change often — confirm on the official government source: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/india/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html
Frequently asked questions
Do Indians need a visa for Switzerland?
Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa — apply via VFS Global in India. For India, Switzerland uses VFS Global — not TLScontact (which Switzerland uses in many other countries). Stick to the official VFS Switzerland portal.
What documents do Indians need for a Switzerland visa?
Passport valid 3+ months beyond intended exit, 2 blank pages, issued within the last 10 years; Completed and signed Schengen visa application form; Two biometric photos (35×45 mm, white background, ICAO-standard); Cover letter with purpose and itinerary; Confirmed round-trip flight booking; Hotel bookings for every night / day-by-day itinerary; Bank statements for last 3 months (Switzerland is expensive — show comfortable funds); ITR for last 2 years; Travel medical insurance valid across Schengen, minimum €30,000 cover; Employment proof / leave letter; for self-employed: GST and company registration
How long does a Switzerland visa take and what does it cost?
Processing: Officially 10–15 working days from receipt at the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi. Realistically 3–5 weeks at Indian VFS centres (add 2–3 working days courier from non-Delhi cities).. Government fee: €90 short-stay visa fee. Children 6–12: €45. VFS Global service charge ~₹2,690. Travel insurance mandatory.. Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period within the entire Schengen area.
How do Indians apply for a Switzerland visa?
Apply through the Swiss Embassy in New Delhi via VFS Global Switzerland (NOT TLScontact for India). VFS Switzerland centres operate in 13 cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Lucknow, Jalandhar, Jaipur, Chandigarh, Kolkata, Cochin, Ahmedabad, Chennai and Pune. From August 2025 Switzerland only accepts documents on the official checklist — extras are returned. Official source: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/india/en/home/visa/entry-ch.html
Is a Switzerland visa hard to get for Indian citizens?
With an ease score of 36/100 this is one of the tougher applications for Indians — expect strict document scrutiny and plan well ahead of travel. No interview is normally required.
Can Indians get a Switzerland visa online or on arrival?
Switzerland requires a full pre-travel application (embassy / visa application centre) for Indian passport holders.
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