Switzerland: independent visa application for Russians in 2021

The Swiss Confederation has a special status among European countries. To visit it, Russians will need a visa to Switzerland, which is obtained at the Visa Section of the Swiss Embassy in Moscow, with the help of TLScontact Visa Centers, or with the help of a private intermediary company. But despite the special position of the country, a visa to Switzerland is also Schengen , with which you can subsequently enter the territory of any other EU country where the Schengen visa regime is in force.

Today Switzerland is the only state in the world with a confederal structure

Additional rules for entry into Switzerland

Since September 2015, all Russians have to undergo the procedure of submitting their fingerprints to obtain new Schengen permits. Since Switzerland is part of the Schengen zone, in order to obtain a permit to visit it you will also need to submit your biometric data. Old visas that have not yet expired will not be cancelled.

It is possible to enter Switzerland with a Schengen visa from another country. To do this, two standard conditions must be met:

• Firstly, the visa must be opened in the state that issued it (the so-called “first entry rule”);
• Secondly, the traveler must stay for the greatest number of days on the territory of the state that issued the entry permit.

If a flight to a European country flies through Switzerland (there is a transfer), then according to Schengen another country is allowed to leave the airport only on the way back. You can enter Switzerland with a Schengen visa (for example, France) immediately, but in this case you need to prepare for the fact that there may be problems when obtaining subsequent visas, or at the border a traveler with a visa of another country may simply not be allowed in.

Basic Rules

Today, many tourists who want to visit Switzerland are worried about entering this country with a Schengen visa. They are afraid that they will not be allowed into the territory of the state due to changes and innovations in 2021. But their fears are in vain.

If a person has a valid Schengen visa, then he can visit any of the 26 Schengen countries. This rule remains unchanged regardless of the type of transport used for the trip.

But there are some rules when applying for a Schengen entry permit:

1. First entry rule. If a person intends to visit many states included in the Schengen Area and the first country is Switzerland, then he should apply for a visa at the diplomatic mission of this state, since the Swiss Confederation will be the first country on the traveler’s list.
2. Primary country rule. Its meaning is that the visa is issued directly at the embassy of the very republic where the tourist intends to spend most of his vacation.

You will learn from the video what you need to do to enter the Schengen zone without any problems.

It is worth noting that the new rules of 2015 affected only the introduction of a mandatory fingerprinting procedure for everyone - taking fingerprints from a person’s hands. This means that it will not be possible to obtain a Schengen entry permit without going through this procedure, provided that the applicant is over 12 years old at the time of submitting the papers.

This procedure will not be required for every visa application to Switzerland. Fingerprinting is done once every 5 years. All of her data is saved. Therefore, if a person has already taken fingerprints, then for the first five years he is exempt from undergoing this procedure.

Types of Swiss visas

Different types of entry documents are required for different purposes of visiting the Confederation. Depending on what kind of visa is needed for Switzerland for Russians, the applicant collects documents and makes a corresponding request to the Visa Section of the Embassy or to the Visa Center.

Airport transit visa

Citizens of some countries require a Swiss visa to transit through Switzerland. For Russians, an airport transit visa to Switzerland is not required . If a person with Russian citizenship travels to a third country through any Confederation airport, then he is allowed to stay in the air hub area without special permits.

Regular entry visa

Switzerland issues Schengen in this category for a wide range of purposes, which may include: tourism, private visits to relatives and friends, participation in sporting events, cultural events, conferences, short-term training courses and so on. Schengen visas issued by Switzerland are of the following types:

• Tourist;
• Business visa;
• Guest room;
• Visa for participants in cultural events;
• Visa for participants in sporting events;
• Visa for formal official visits;
• Study visa for short-term courses;
• Medical visa;
• Transit category C (such a document must be obtained if transit is carried out through the territory of Switzerland to a country outside the Schengen area).

For those Russians who have diplomatic passports and plan to visit the state on an official visit, they do not need to apply for this type of Swiss visa. Also, the document will not be required for holders of a valid residence permit issued by a member country of the Schengen Agreement.

National visa

This visa to Switzerland is no longer Schengen; it is classified as “national”. It will be required for a longer stay in the country. Suitable for long-term studies, marriages with a citizen of one of the cantons (with subsequent residence in Switzerland), family reunions, long visits by private invitation, and so on. A national visa to Switzerland is issued on the basis of a permit from the cantonal migration service.

Work permit

This is a special type of visa to Switzerland; it gives the right to work in the country under an official contract. Also issued only after receiving approval from the cantonal migration service.

Types and types of visas

As you know, there are several types of Schengen visa:

1. One-time. This type of permit allows you to enter a country included in the Schengen Area only 1 time.
2. Double. Such a permit allows you to enter Switzerland only 2 times during the first 6 months from the date of issue. You can stay in Schengen territory for only 3 months.
3. A multiple-entry visa implies an unlimited number of entries into the Schengen territory. The validity period of a visa depends on its type.
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   Example of a multiple-entry Schengen visa

Types of visas:

1. Schengen. Most often, this type of permit is issued for tourism purposes or visiting relatives in the Swiss Confederation. The validity period of such a permit is 6 months. This means that you can use the visa within 180 days from the date of its opening. Most often, Schengen visas allow you to stay in Schengen territory for no more than 90 days.
2. Transit. This permit is required if a person travels to Switzerland through a country outside the Schengen Area or if he intends to leave the transit corridor.
3. A national visa is a long-term visa. It is valid for 12 months and can be renewed in Switzerland.

List of documents for a Swiss visa

The list of documents for a visa to Switzerland is equivalent to the list for Schengen of any other European country. It is regulated by EU legislation. There is a general list, as well as some additions for each type of visa. The list of documents for a visa to Switzerland is given below.

1. A properly completed application form for issuing a permit – 1 copy. You must fill out the form in English, Italian, German or French ;
2. A foreign passport with 2 blank pages, issued no more than 10 years ago and valid for another 2 months after leaving the Schengen zone;
3. A copy of all non-blank pages of the Russian citizen’s passport;
4. Two photos of the “Schengen” sample (3.5 x 4.5 cm), taken recently (one is glued to the application form, the second is submitted along with the documents);

5. A copy of the medical policy. insurance with coverage of 30,000 euros;
6. Confirmation of hotel reservation, private apartment;
   

   For those who have property in Switzerland, it is necessary to provide a copy of the document for this property.

7. Documents confirming the financial status of the applicant (certificate from the bank about the presence of a deposit, certificate from work);
8. Confirmation of having at least 100 francs (or the equivalent in another currency) for each day of stay per person. Cash does not confirm solvency;
9. Certificate of availability of work (where the salary and position occupied should be stated) or from the place of study (from the university);
10. Copies of transport tickets (air tickets, railway tickets, etc.); for persons planning to travel by car, the train route and information about the final destination on the route are additionally requested.

For a visitor visa you also need to provide:

1. A petition-invitation containing the following data: last name, first name, address, telephone number, email of the inviter; travel dates of the invitee; the nature of the relationship with the invitee;
2. A copy of the Swiss passport or residence permit type B or C of the inviter;
3. If there is a relationship, then provide documents that can confirm it;
4. If the inviter is married, the invitation petition must be signed by both spouses;
5. Financial guarantees in the form of: 100 francs per person per day (for children, students - 30 francs), if there is free space for housing, the amount may be less.
   

   If the applicant cannot provide financial guarantees, then he sends a “declaration of guarantees” to the inviting persons, who fill it out and submit it to the Migration Service for consideration.

For a business visa you need to provide:

1. An invitation from a Swiss company containing: personal data of the invitee, the purpose of the trip, the dates of the trip, the number of required entries (the invitation is signed by persons mentioned in the Swiss trade register);
2. A copy of an extract taken from the Swiss Trade Register containing information about the company and the persons who signed the invitation.

To participate in cultural and sporting events, you must additionally submit:

1. An invitation from a cultural or sports organization containing information about the invitee.
2. Papers confirming that the organization pays the expenses of the invited person (if it does not pay, see paragraph 5 for a guest visa).

For an official visit you will additionally need:

1. An invitation-petition containing all the information about the invited person;
2. Note verbale for service passport holders.

For medical purposes you will additionally need:

1. An invitation from a Swiss clinic signed by the Chief Physician;
2. Certificate of full or partial payment for treatment.

For short term training purposes:

1. Letter of invitation from the university/school;
2. Certificate of payment for tuition and availability of funds for related expenses (see paragraph 5 for a guest visa).

For transit (category C)

For a transit visa of category C, documents for travel to a third country (visa, copy of tickets) are additionally requested.

Documents for category D (national visa to Switzerland)

There is a more extended list of documents for a Swiss visa of the so-called category D (national). If the applicant intends to receive education on the territory of the state and he needs this document, then in addition to the main list he must bring:

1. 
   Two original autobiographies;

2. Originals and 2 copies of all available diplomas and certificates;
3. A letter of motivation in which you must indicate the reasons for your desire to study in Switzerland;
4. A letter from the school/university confirming enrollment;
5. Documents that can confirm payment for training and all expenses associated with it;
6. Plan of the education;
7. A signed commitment to leave the country after completing the course in two copies.

If the applicant requires a national visa for the purpose of family reunification or other private reasons, then the list of documents for a visa to Switzerland is supplemented:

1. Certificate of good conduct with apostille;
2. A motivation letter justifying the reasons for a long stay in the state;
3. Two copies of the passport of the family member with whom the reunion is planned (or his residence permit);
4. A copy of the marriage certificate (also with an apostille), notarized, as well as a photocopy;
5. An invitation from a family member;
6. Certificate of good conduct of a family member with an apostille.

The application form for a category D visa can be downloaded here.

To obtain a work visa to Switzerland for Russians in 2021, in addition to the main list of papers for a national visa, you will also need an employment contact and a work permit , which is issued by the authorized cantonal body. A work permit for an employee is issued by the employing company.

All documents, certificates, copies, letters, etc. must be compiled or translated into one of 4 languages: German, French, Italian or English.

For category D, you need to submit 3 completed application forms, 2 copies of your passport, 4 photographs and 2 copies of the last two Schengen exit visas.

Visa to Switzerland for a child

For children, a Schengen visa to Switzerland must be obtained on the same basis as their parents. It is necessary to submit the entire list of required documents for a visa, even if the child is included in the parent’s passport .

For minors you must also provide:

1. A copy of the Birth Certificate;
2. Consent drawn up by a notary for the child to leave the territory of the Russian Federation from the parents or from one (if the minor is traveling with the second parent);
   

   Consent from parents must be drawn up in one of 4 languages ​​to choose from: German, Italian, French, English.

3. Sponsorship letter and confirmation of the sponsor's solvency;
4. Copies of parent's Schengen visas (if any).

FAQ

Why is Switzerland particularly popular among various categories of immigrants?

Switzerland is a country that has the best indicators in terms of living standards, social wealth, financial features and medical technologies. The state has amazing indicators of economic stability, demonstrated over several decades. That is why a huge number of people around the world regularly wonder how to emigrate to Switzerland

.

How to obtain a Swiss residence permit?

The methods for obtaining a Swiss residence permit include not only the classic method of concluding an investment contribution agreement. You can also become a resident of the country by concluding an employment contract with any company that has status rights, or by using marriage contracts. Otherwise legal life in Switzerland

should be organized with the use of an appropriate investment program.

What is lump sum tax?

The cord tax is a certain government fee levied on investors wishing to obtain a Swiss residence permit. The annual payment of such a fee is the basis for the renewal of documents for a residence permit. Life in Switzerland

legally possible only with full and timely payment of such fees.

What are the conditions for obtaining a Swiss residence permit?

Wealthy foreigners who meet the requirements established in the immigration program can apply for a residence permit in Switzerland. Thus, people can obtain a residence permit:

• have reached the age of majority;
• no criminal record or problems with the law;
• able to prove the legality of sources of profit;
• spending at least 183 days in the country;
• making annual payment of lump sum tax.

Please note: all questions regarding how to emigrate to Switzerland

, answers in detail the current sections of the country's legislation.

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Switzerland visa process

The visa required for a trip to Switzerland is obtained independently through the Visa Center in Moscow or through the Visa Section of the Embassy. An airport transit document and any Schengen visa category C is issued through the TLScontact CC. National entry documents category D are issued only by the Visa Section of the Embassy.

To apply for a visa to Switzerland yourself through a visa center in Moscow, you need to follow a simple algorithm:

• Choose any available (according to place of residence) Visa Center in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Yekaterinburg, Novosibirsk;
• Register;
• Decide on the category of the entry document and collect the necessary package of papers;
• Make an appointment online and receive notification of your appointment;
• Submit documents, pay the Consular fee and CC services;
• Go through the fingerprinting procedure;
• Get entry approval.

To submit papers through the Embassy, ​​you first need to make an appointment on their website, print out an appointment notice, and then come with all the documents and hand them in. You may have to talk to the Consul.

There is a third option for submitting your documents for a visa to Switzerland – by mail. To do this you need:

• Register on the TLScontact VC website;
• Prepare all documents;
• Pay service and visa fees online;
• Contact the Visa Application Center call center and follow the instructions;
• Pay for DHL services;
• Submit an application.

Price

Current prices for a visa to Switzerland for Russians in 2021 are shown in the table.

Detailed prices for courier and postal delivery services to various cities of the Russian Federation of the TLScontact EC can be found on their website.

Why is Switzerland considered one of the best countries for immigration?

Over the past few decades, Switzerland has been recognized as one of the best countries to live, according to most authoritative ratings and social publications. The advantages that speak in favor of obtaining citizenship of this state include the following factors:

1. According to data published on the World Economic Forum website for 8 years in a row, Switzerland is considered one of the most financially competitive countries.
2. In 2021, the American corporation BAV Consulting recognized Switzerland as the best country to live in the world. Experts came to these conclusions after conducting a series of sociological surveys, in which various states were assessed according to 9 different criteria.
3. In 2021, Switzerland became the best country in the world in terms of innovative progress.
4. The Times Higher Education ranking includes at least 9 Swiss universities that occupy leading positions among all global educational centers.

In addition, Switzerland is a country with a fairly transparent and simple immigration program. Due to this state of affairs, the question of how to move to Switzerland

, there are a sufficient number of standards and regulations confirmed by law.

Switzerland visa refusal

The reasons for making a negative decision may be different. After Switzerland entered the Schengen zone, their list became more standardized in accordance with the regulations for all states of this association. So, a Swiss visa can be refused if:

• Fill out documents incorrectly, make mistakes.
• Provide an incomplete package of papers;
• Submit fictitious certificates and be caught;
• Violate the migration regime on previous trips to Europe;
• Arouse suspicion of your “unreliability.”