Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — Group CategoryVerified 2026-04-13Switzerland Incentive Tour Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
The Switzerland Incentive Tour Visa is a specialised Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa for corporate groups of minimum 50 travellers visiting Switzerland for business-reward or team-incentive trips. Groups under 50 must apply individually using the standard Tourist Visa checklist. The sponsoring company or travel agency coordinates directly with the Embassy of Switzerland.
Processing
15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
₹9,600
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Switzerland visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Applications can be submitted only 180 days (6 months) prior to the intended date of departure — not earlier.
- 2From May 1, 2010 onwards, only passports issued within the previous 10 years are accepted.
- 3Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker.
- 4Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than your intended stay in the Schengen area.
- 5Handwritten or non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01/04/2010 are NOT accepted.
- 6Indian passports containing a MANUAL entry / observation made after 01 April 2010 — where the biographical data (name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, spouse's name, parents' name, address) of the passport holder was changed — are NOT accepted.
- 7If your passport has a handwritten observation "previously known as", you must provide ONE of the following as proof of the name change: (a) your original previous passport showing the old name, OR (b) a photocopy of the data page of your previous passport showing the old name, OR (c) a copy of the name-change advertisement from a local daily newspaper.
Who Can Apply
- Corporate incentive groups of 50+ travellers
- Sales team reward trips to Switzerland
- Company-sponsored team-building tours
- Organised group travel by dealers / distributors / clients
Not eligible under this visa:
- Groups smaller than 50 — must apply individually through standard Tourist Visa
- Groups not sponsored by a single corporate entity
- Tours combining work / gainful professional activity in Switzerland
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Short-Stay) | ₹9,600 |
| Children 6–12 years | ₹4,800 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,690 |
| Courier service (optional) | ₹930 |
| SMS service (optional) | ₹450 |
| Premium Lounge (optional) | ₹4,600 |
| Combo — SMS + Courier Return | ₹1,250 |
All VISA fees and service charges payable in Cash / Card / Online. Fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome. Online payment refund processing: 5–7 working days. POS refund processing: 21 working days. A bank charge is deducted on refunds. Fees subject to change without notice as per current exchange rate.
Documents Required
Initial contact — sponsoring company to email the Embassy
- !Name of the Incentive group
Corporate group / team name
- !Group size (exact number of travellers)
- !Travel dates
Entry and exit dates to/from Switzerland
- !Name of the travel agency organising the tour
Timing — when to contact the Embassy
- !Group size 500+
Minimum 2.5 months before date of travel
- !Group size under 500
Minimum 2 months before date of travel
- !Group size under 100
Minimum 1 month before date of travel
Per-applicant documents (requested from Embassy)
- !Completed Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C) — each applicant
- !Signed Authorization form — each applicant
- !Valid passport
Min 3 months beyond stay; 2 blank pages
- !1 recent passport-size photograph
35–40mm, colour, light background, not older than 6 months
- !Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 coverage
- !Additional per-applicant documents
Contact the Embassy (newdelhi.visa@eda.admin.ch) for the full group-specific document list
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Sponsoring company contacts Embassy of Switzerland
Send an email to newdelhi.visa@eda.admin.ch with group name, size, travel dates, and travel agency name. Timing depends on group size (see above).
Embassy confirms slot & provides document list
Based on group size, the Embassy allocates an appointment window and shares the specific document checklist for the group.
Travel agency prepares the group file
Collect all per-applicant documents, application forms, authorisation forms, photos, and insurance. Ensure all applicants have valid passports and photos matching specifications.
Group appointment at VFS / Embassy
Submit the complete group file at the scheduled appointment. Biometrics captured for each applicant.
Payment
Visa fees + VFS service charges paid per applicant. Same rates as individual short-stay visas.
Embassy processing
Typically 15 calendar days. The Embassy may request further documentation or interviews for specific applicants.
Collective passport collection
Passports returned via the designated travel agency or per-applicant as arranged with VFS.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C — Short Stay)
On the VFS page, select your visa type → scroll to the 'Download Form' section at the bottom → click 'New Visa Application Form Visa C'. Form mandatory from March 2, 2020 — old forms are rejected.
National Visa Application Form (Type D — Long Stay 3+ months)
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'National (type D) visa application form'. For long-stay visas (gainful employment, family reunification, study >90 days).
Authorization Form
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'Authorization'. Mandatory for ALL applicants regardless of visa type.
VFS Application Centres
💡 Pro Tips
- Travel medical insurance covering minimum €30,000 is MANDATORY for all Schengen countries.
- Personal bank statement (last 3 months) must be on A4 size paper with original bank stamp and signature.
- Do NOT bind two or more passports with a stapler — use rubber bands to avoid passport damage.
- Photo must be recent (not older than 6 months), 35–40mm wide, colour, on photographic paper with a light background.
- Submit your application at least 2 weeks before travel, or earlier during peak holiday season.
- The decision on your application is the sole prerogative of the Embassy — VFS has no role in approvals or rejections.
- Contact the Embassy as early as possible — appointments are first-come, first-served.
- A presentation by the incentive group at the Embassy is NOT mandatory.
- Ensure all applicants in the group meet the Schengen €30,000 insurance minimum individually.
- Keep a single coordinator at the travel agency responsible for document collection and follow-up.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Group contact made too late — insufficient processing window
- 2.Incomplete per-applicant documents — even one missing file can delay the entire group
- 3.Insurance not meeting Schengen minimum for some applicants
- 4.Mismatched travel dates between applicants or with the itinerary
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifies as an Incentive Tour?+
Whom should we contact at the Embassy?+
How early should we contact the Embassy?+
Is a presentation at the Embassy required?+
What are the fees for an Incentive Tour visa?+
Can SureshotVisa coordinate an Incentive Tour application?+
Let us prepare your Switzerland Incentive Tour Visa — (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Switzerland Visa Types
Switzerland Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Switzerland Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Complete fees, documents, and application guide.
Switzerland Student Visa (Short Stay, ≤ 90 days)
Switzerland Schengen Short-Stay visa for Indian students pursuing studies in Switzerland for less than 90 days. Visa fee is FREE — only VFS service charges apply.
Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Complete fees, document checklist, and application guide for Indian travellers.
Switzerland Visitor Visa (Family / Friends, Schengen Type C)
Switzerland Visitor Visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends living in Switzerland. Schengen Short-Stay Type C, up to 90 days. Complete fees + document guide.
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay Type D) for Indian applicants joining family in Switzerland for more than 90 days. Complete guide on process, fees, and documents.
Switzerland Student Visa (Long-Stay, Type D — >90 days)
Switzerland Student Visa (Type D National Long-Stay) for Indian students enrolling in courses longer than 90 days. Submit directly at Embassy Delhi. Visa fee is FREE — only service charges apply.
Switzerland Work Permit (Long-Stay, >120 days) — Informational
Switzerland Work Permit for long-term employment (>120 days). The process MUST be initiated by the Swiss employer via cantonal authorities. Informational guide only — SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Switzerland website and Embassy of Switzerland. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.