Schengen visa SWITZERLAND These requirements are valid for legal residents of Canada (PR card, work or study permit) whose main destination is Switzerland. Applicants who are not legal residents of Canada must apply in their country of residence. Family members of EU/EFTA and Swiss nationals: You benefit from a facilitated visa procedure and do not pay visa fees. Please contact the Consulate by email only for further information: (VANCOUVER:
[email protected]) residents of BC, AB, SK, YT & NT. (MONTREAL:
[email protected]) residents of QC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, NU & Bahamas. You may not apply more than three months before your planned entry into the Schengen area. Please note that you must apply in person and that your fingerprints will be registered at the time of application. You may be exempt from applying in person, if your fingerprints were registered within the last 59 months for another Schengen visa application and you have a visa label with the mention “VIS” in your passport. (Please enclose a copy of the visa label). The Consulates may, nevertheless, require a personal interview or additional documents during the visa application process (for ex. if the quality of the previously registered fingerprints is insufficient).
General requirements (for all applications) 1. Your original passport: It must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of exit from the Schengen area and have been issued in the past ten years. 2. A photocopy of the data (picture) page(s) of your passport. The picture must be easily recognizable and all data legible. 3. One “Application for Schengen Visa” form completed, dated and signed by the applicant. 4. One Canadian passport sized loose photos of very good quality. Please check our website for photo requirements. The photos must be recent (not older than 3 months). Make sure that they are dated by the photographer. 5. Your original proof of residency in Canada (PR card, work or study permit) 6. A photocopy of your proof of residency in Canada (PR card, both sides copied on one sheet). All data must be legible. 7. A copy of your confirmed flight reservations. The airline reservation number must be visible. 8. A valid visa or residency permit for your final destination (if it is not Canada or your home country). 9. A recent letter from your employer, confirming position, salary and continued employment after you return to Canada. For students, a confirmation of enrollment. 10. A copy of your previous Schengen visas. 11. A confirmation that you hold sufficient travel insurance, issued by a Canadian insurance company and containing all of the following information: • • •
Your full name and duration of coverage The geographic coverage (usually “out of province” or “worldwide”): your coverage must be valid for all Schengen countries at least. The coverage must be a minimum of CAD 50'000 for emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment, repatriation for medical reasons. Generic information, such as policy descriptive or insurance booklets, is not accepted.
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12. The visa fee in cash (when submitted in person) The visa fee with money order (when submitted by post). Please refer to our website for the amount: https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/canada/en/home/visa/entry-residency/visa-fees.html 13. If you fulfill the conditions to apply by post or do not wish to pick up your visa in person, please include a prepaid self-addressed envelope (Xpress Post or Courier) and keep the customer receipt for tracking.
The visa procedure will take up to 15 calendar days.
Check the next pages for extra requirements according to visa type
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Specific additional requirements according to visa type: Tourism visa (you are going the Schengen area for leisure and Switzerland is your main destination) •
All the documents mentioned under “general requirements”.
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A personal Canadian bank statement of the past three months, showing all transactions in your account. The statement must be an original or a copy stamped by the bank. A minimum of CAD 100 per day (students, CAD 30) is required.
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A detailed itinerary stating where you are accommodated for the whole duration of the trip.
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A hotel reservation (with a reservation number) for every night that you intend to spend in a Schengen country.
Visitor visa (you are visiting family or friends in Switzerland) •
All the documents mentioned under “general requirements”.
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A personal Canadian bank statement of the past three months, showing all transactions in your account. The statement must be an original document or a copy stamped by the bank. A minimum of CAD 100 per day (students, CAD 30) is required.
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If your financial means are deemed insufficient, the Consulate may give you an official declaration of sponsorship, which you must send to your host in Switzerland. Your host must fill out the form and have it reviewed by the immigration office in his/her Canton of residence. The process usually takes 3-6 weeks, but may take longer.
• An invitation letter from the host in Switzerland, mentioning your full name (as in your passport), and the details of your stay (dates and duration), as well as the host’s personal details (name, address, email, and phone number) and relationship to you. The letter, along with a clearly legible copy of your host’s passport and residency permit (for Swiss citizens, passport only), must be included in your application and not be sent directly to the Consulate. Business visa (you are going to Switzerland to meet a business partner or attend a fair or conference) •
All the documents mentioned under “general requirements”.
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A letter of invitation from the host company in Switzerland (with an extract of its inscription in the registry of commerce) or a personal confirmation of participation to the fair or conference. The letter has to include your full name and the dates and duration of your stay. The letter must be included in your application and not be sent directly to the Consulate.
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A confirmation by the inviting company or fair/conference organizer that your stay is fully sponsored by them. The letter must be included in your application and not be sent directly to the Consulate.
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If you cannot fulfill the above requirement, a personal bank statement of the past three months, showing all movements in your account. The statement must be an original or a copy stamped by the bank. A minimum of CAD 100 per day (students, CAD 30) is required. A personal bank statement can be required even if you are sponsored. It is therefore suggested that you bring one along.
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Short-term stay for study (your total stay in Switzerland, including studies, is LESS than 90 days) Citizens of countries who do not need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area (check on our website www.swissvisa.ca ) may simply enter Switzerland and follow their course or seminar. Citizens of countries who need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area (check on our website www.swissvisa.ca ) must lodge a visa application with the following supporting documents: •
All the documents mentioned under “general requirements”.
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A confirmation of participation to the course or seminar, including confirmation of payment of any applicable fees.
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A personal Canadian bank statement of the past three months, showing all movements in your account. The statement must be an original or a copy stamped by the bank. A minimum of CAD 100 per day (students, CAD 30) is required.
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A hotel reservation (with a reservation number) or a confirmation of accommodation for the duration of your stay.
Short-term stay for work (8 days in a calendar year or less) IMPORTANT: In most cases, you need a work permit if you are going to work in Switzerland (even if you do not get paid or get paid by a company outside of Switzerland). The work permit applications are processed in Switzerland and the decisions take 2 - 4 months. You must apply for a work permit in the following situations: •
In the primary or secondary construction industry and civil engineering, catering and hotel services, industrial and private cleaners, surveillance and security services, and erotic services. In those restricted services, a work permit is necessary for any duration of activity;
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For any other gainful occupation, if such occupation exceeds 8 days within a calendar year.
Citizens of countries who do not need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area (check on our website www.swissvisa.ca) may simply enter Switzerland if they do not need a work permit. Citizens of countries who need a visa for short stays in the Schengen area (check on our website www.swissvisa.ca) must apply for a business visa if they do not need a work permit (see requirements for business visas on this information sheet). In any case, it is strongly suggested that you contact the Consulate for confirmation of requirements if you intend to work in Switzerland even for less than 8 days: (VANCOUVER:
[email protected]) residents of BC, AB, SK, YT & NT. (MONTREAL:
[email protected]) residents of QC, MB, NB, NL, NS, ON, PE, NU & Bahamas.
Short-term stay for work (more than 8 days in a calendar year but less than 90 days) •
Three forms “Application for a Schengen visa” completed, dated and signed by the applicant.
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Two copies of employment or work contract.
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Two photocopies of the data (picture) pages of your passport. The picture must be easily recognizable and all data legible.
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•
Two Canadian passport sized loose photos of very good quality. Please check our website for photo requirements. The photos must be recent (not older than 3 months). Make sure that they are dated by the photographer.
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For non-Canadian citizens only: two photocopies of your proof of residency in Canada (PR card, both sides copied on one sheet). All data must be legible.
International Organizations (IO) Please note: International Organizations seated in Switzerland enjoy special privileges. All the documents mentioned under the “general requirements” are not applicable if you will be working for or have signed an internship contract with one of these IOs If your stay is for less than 3 months, without taking residence in Switzerland, please submit the following documents to the Consulate (either in person or by post as explained on the first page): 1.
Your original passport: It must be valid for at least three months after the intended date of exit from the Schengen area and have been issued in the past ten years.
2.
One form “Application for Schengen Visa” completed, dated and signed by the applicant.
3.
One photocopy of the data (picture) pages of your passport. The picture must be easily recognizable and all data legible.
4.
A photocopy of your proof of residency in Canada (PR card, both sides copied on one sheet). All data must be legible.
5.
One loose Canadian passport sized photo of very good quality. Please check our website for photo requirements. The photos must be dated by the photographer and shall not be older than 3 months.
6.
A Note Verbale or invitation letter from the International Organization you are visiting, mentioning your name, as well as the purpose and duration of your stay. The letter must be included in your application form and not be sent directly by the IO to the Consulate.
7.
A personal Canadian bank statement for the past 3 months.
8.
A confirmation that you hold sufficient travel insurance, issued by a Canadian insurance company, and containing all of the following information: • Your full name and duration of coverage • The geographic coverage (usually “out of province” or “worldwide”): your coverage must at least be valid for all Schengen countries. • The amount of coverage (at least CAD 50'000 but can be more) for emergency medical expenses, hospital treatment, repatriation for medical reasons. Generic information, such as policy descriptive or insurance booklets, is not accepted.
9.
Applicants are exempt from the visa fee.
If you intend to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days or work there for more than 90 days or in restricted services, please check our National (D) visa information sheet (available on our website www.swissvisa.ca).
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