Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) — VisitorVerified 2026-04-13Switzerland Visitor Visa (Family / Friends, Schengen Type C)
A Switzerland Visitor Visa is a Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa for Indian citizens travelling to Switzerland to visit family members or friends for up to 90 days. The key difference from a Tourist Visa is that your Swiss-based host provides an invitation letter and supporting documents. If you are a family member of a Swiss / EU / EFTA citizen (spouse, registered partner, or dependent child), a simplified process applies directly at the Embassy.
Processing
15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period
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
- Visiting immediate family (parents, siblings, children, spouse) in Switzerland
- Visiting extended family (grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins)
- Visiting close friends
- Attending weddings, family gatherings, anniversaries
- Short family trips combining Switzerland with other Schengen countries
Not eligible under this visa:
- Paid or unpaid work — apply for a Type D work permit
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a Type D long-stay visa
- Holders of a Swiss residence permit
- Spouses / registered partners / dependent children of Swiss/EU/EFTA nationals should apply directly at the Embassy under simplified rules (see below)
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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
Standard Schengen documents
- !Completed Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C)
New form only — from March 2, 2020 onwards
- !Signed Authorization form
Mandatory along with application form
- !Valid passport
Valid minimum 3 months beyond intended stay; at least 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)
Must cover entire duration of stay across all Schengen states
Host documents (provided by family/friend in Switzerland)
- !Invitation letter from the Swiss host
Signed letter stating relationship, purpose of visit, exact dates, and whether host is providing accommodation / funding
- !Host's Swiss residence permit / passport copy
Proof the host is legally resident in Switzerland
- !Host's proof of accommodation in Switzerland
Rental agreement, property deed, or signed declaration that they'll accommodate the visitor
- ○Host's bank statements / salary slips
Required if host is financially sponsoring the visit
- ○Formal commitment / sponsorship undertaking (Verpflichtungserklärung)
Required in some cases — signed at the Swiss host's local Cantonal Migration Office
Applicant — financial + ties-to-India documents
- !Personal bank statement — last 3 months
A4 paper only, with original bank stamp & signature
- !Income Tax Returns (ITR) — last 3 years
- !Employer letter (NOC) on company letterhead
If salaried — state designation, salary, approved leave dates. If self-employed, provide business registration.
- ○Property documents / ownership proof
Strengthens case for ties to India
- !Proof of relationship with host
Birth certificate, marriage certificate, old family photos, or similar
Travel documents
- !Cover letter
Addressed to 'Visa Officer, Embassy of Switzerland' — explain relationship to host, purpose of visit, and return intent
- !Return flight itinerary (reservation, not ticket)
- !Travel itinerary in Switzerland
List of planned activities during the visit
- ○Previous Schengen visa copies
Strengthens case if you have prior travel history
📌 Important — always check the official VFS Visitor checklist
- !Official 'Documents required for Visitor visa' PDF on VFS
Download the latest version from the VFS Global Switzerland website before applying.
- ○Special checklist: 'Spouse / registered partner / dependent children of Swiss/Schengen national'
Only if applying under the simplified family rules. Also available on VFS website.
🇪🇺 Simplified rules — spouses of EU/EFTA nationals
- !Original + copy of Marriage Certificate attested by UAE MOFA
Only if UAE resident applying as EU spouse; attestation requirements differ in other cases
- !Spouse's passport copy
- !Completed + signed Application Form
- !Original passport + photocopy + previous Schengen visa copies (last 3 years)
- !UAE residence visa copy
If applying from UAE
- !1 coloured passport-size photo, white background
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Coordinate with your Swiss host
Your family member / friend in Switzerland prepares the invitation letter, residence proof, and (if sponsoring) financial documents. They may need to visit their local Cantonal Migration Office to sign a formal commitment.
Gather your own Indian documents
Bank statements, ITR, employer NOC, relationship proof (birth/marriage certificate), and cover letter explaining the visit.
Download the application form
Use the new Schengen Type C form and Authorization form from the VFS Global website.
Purchase travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage valid across all Schengen states for the full stay.
Book a VFS appointment
Via the VFS Global Switzerland portal. Select the centre nearest to you.
Submit at VFS
Bring originals + photocopies of all applicant + host documents. Biometrics captured on-site. Pay fees.
Track your application
Use VFS online tracker or opt for SMS service for updates.
Collect your passport
Via Premium Lounge, courier, or in-person pickup from VFS centre.
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
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 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.
- The invitation letter is the single most important document — make sure it's detailed, dated, and signed by the host.
- Include relationship proof — birth certificate (parent/sibling), marriage certificate (spouse), or old family photographs (friends).
- If the host is sponsoring the trip financially, they should provide bank statements + salary slips; otherwise the applicant needs to show their own funds.
- Spouses / registered partners / dependent children of Swiss/EU citizens get a SIMPLIFIED application process — apply directly at the Embassy, not through VFS.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Weak or generic invitation letter (template-like, no specifics)
- 2.Host's residence / financial status not clearly documented
- 3.Insufficient proof of relationship between applicant and host
- 4.Applicant's own ties to India appear weak (no job, no family, no property)
- 5.Purpose of visit seems inconsistent with duration or travel history
- 6.Travel medical insurance below €30,000 Schengen minimum
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the difference between Tourist and Visitor Visa?+
Does my Swiss host need to come to India?+
Is a formal sponsorship document (Verpflichtungserklärung) mandatory?+
My spouse is a Swiss / EU citizen. Do I still need to apply through VFS?+
What is the total cost for a Switzerland Visitor Visa from India?+
Can I extend my visit in Switzerland?+
Can SureshotVisa coordinate with my Swiss host?+
Let us prepare your Switzerland Visitor Visa — (Family / Friends, Schengen 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 Incentive Tour Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Switzerland Incentive Tour visa for groups of 50+ travellers. Simplified group application through the Embassy with specific timelines by group size.
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 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.