“SWITZERLAND,” The first thing that quickly pops up in your mind after hearing the word is the SWISS BANK. The world’s largest private bank is now called UBS after SBC-Swiss Bank Corporation merged with the Union Bank of Switzerland-UBS. Swiss Confederation is what Switzerland officially called, is one of the countries not involved in any wars since 1815. 

A highly developed and landlocked country located amidst the confluence of Western, Central, and Southern Europe, Switzerland covers an area of 41,285 km² giving shelter to a population of 8,508,898. Although, Switzerland lacks its capital city it has the city of Bern as its de jure capital with Zurich and Geneva the two largest, global and economic centres. 

Seeing its finest lifestyle, and globally top national performances, it became a founding member of the European Free Trade Association and one of the most attractive countries in Europe. Eventually, it also made its place in the Schengen Zone in 2008 making it spread its wings for world travellers to enter its territory with a Schengen Visa. 

Annually the no. of travellers visit to Switzerland is increasing magnanimously, in 2017, 517,010 Schengen visa applications were applied out of which 451,528 no. visitors received their visa permits to Switzerland at the Swiss consulates and embassies across the globe creating it a hub for tourists. 

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A SWISS VISA?

• For Citizens of Canada: Canadian citizens shouldn’t abide by a Swiss Visa to enter Switzerland and stay for up to 90 days. Beyond that, they are mandatory to take a Swiss Schengen Visa. 
• For Non-Citizens of Canada: A Swiss Schengen Visa is a must for any Non-Canadian Citizen to travel to Switzerland by performing all the legal processes for the same. And they are allowed to stay in Switzerland for as many days as their wish. 

TYPES OF VISAS:

1. Short-stay Visa- Travelers willing for a short trip of up to 90 days are applicable for this visa type. Tourism, family holidays, vacations, sightseeing, etc. are the purposes of this visa.
2. Long-term Visa- Travelers planning for a long journey of more than 90 days to Switzerland are advised to take this Long-term Visa. The main purposes of this type are study, long business commitments, medical treatment, etc. 
3. Visitor Visa- This is generally a short-term visa purpose for family members or friends in order to visit their family, friends, or relatives in Switzerland. 
4. Business Visa- Business visa is for professionals or official delegates having their business trips or meetings or other work-purpose invitations in Switzerland are permitted under this visa type.
5. Study Visa- The students aspiring to complete their education in Switzerland are applicable for this Long-term Study Visa type of more than 90 days.

INFORMATION OF SWITZERLAND CONSULATE/EMBASSY IN CANADA 

Following is the list of the Visa Application Centres in Switzerland where you can submit your visa application according to your place of residence-

1. Swiss Consulate of Montreal: 

• Address: 1572 Av. du Docteur-Penfield, Montréal, QC, H3G 1C4.
• Phone: +1 514 932 71 81.
• Email: montreal.visa@eda.admin.ch
• Hours: Monday to Thursday – 10.00 am – 1.00 pm; Friday – 10.00 am – 12.00 pm.

2. Swiss Embassy of Ottawa:

• Address: 5 Marlborough Avenue, Ottawa, ON, K1N 8E6, Canada.
• Phone: +1 613 235 1837.
• Email: ottawa@eda.admin.ch
• Hours: Monday to Friday – 9.00 am – 12.00 pm.

3. Swiss Consulate of Vancouver:

• Address: World Trade Centre, 790-999 Canada Place, Vancouver, BC V6C 3E1.
• Phone: +1 604 684 2231.
• Email: vancouver.visa@eda.admin.ch
• Hours: Monday to Friday – 9.00 am – 1.00 pm.

THE ESSENTIAL DOCUMENTS LIST TO APPLY FOR A SWISS VISA FROM CANADA: 

Travelers visiting Switzerland are bound to produce some important documents. The general documents list to enter Switzerland are listed further; 

1. Visa application form of Switzerland- Filled Swiss visa application form completely in accordance with all the listed documents. The link for the online Swiss Visa Application Form.
2. 02 Photographs- Two Identical passport-size photos also abided by the norms of the Swiss Visa Application form.
3. Your National Passport- Your national passport must not be more than ten years old and should be valid beyond the return date for up to 03 months with a minimum of 02 blank pages.
4. Your previous visa copies- You need to provide copies of your previously visited Switzerland visas or any of the Schengen zone visas or another country visas.  
5. Schengen Visa Travel Insurance– You need to take Switzerland travel medical insurance covering 30,000€ at least for medical assistance in both Switzerland and the entire Schengen zone. 
6. Round-trip Flight Itinerary– A document of your Switzerland round-trip’s booked flight ticket specifying the dates, flight numbers, and all other required details.
7. A cover letter- A personal letter stating the purpose, duration, and other details regarding your Switzerland stay.  
8. Accommodation proof- i.e. Hotel Booking.
9. Civil Status proof- Can be any of the following from marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, spouse’s death certificate, etc.
10. Financial assistance proof of your throughout Switzerland visit- A minimum of 100 CHF or 92.34€/day should be attested to your disposition throughout your Switzerland visit. And, it can be reduced to 30 CHF or 27.70€/day for a student.

Additional documents essential for the Swiss Schengen Visa depending on your occupational status; 

For Employee

• Proposal of employment.
• Recent bank records of the last 06 months.
• Employer’s leave letter.
• ITR-Income Tax Return form.

For Self-Employee

• Your Business license copy.
• Company bank records of last 06 months.
• ITR-Income Tax Return.

For Student

• Enrolment evidence.
• School/University NOC- No-Objection Certificate.
• Advertisements.

For Retiree

• Pension records for the last 06 months.

If Applicable 

• A property’s regular income generated proof of the last 06 months.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR A SWISS VISA FROM CANADA?

To complete Switzerland’s visa application process you need to go through the following steps;

1. Initially, you must figure out the type of visa you will require to enter Switzerland.
2. Then verify the place of your visa application submission.
3. Next, fill out the Swiss short-stay visa application form.
4. After filling out the form, gather all the required valid documents listed for your Switzerland visa.
5. Then schedule your appointment for the visa interview.
6. Finally, attend your interview at the particular Swiss Embassy/VAC/Consulate at the scheduled time.

After you have finished the work from your side, wait for the Swiss authority to complete your visa application. 

The detailed steps as screen shots has been given below to get the visa application form:

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT

You can make your appointment easily with the embassy/consulates of your residing area without spending any money in 02 ways: 

1) By contacting the embassy and scheduling your visa interview appointment, or 

2) By sending a mail to their respected email address. 

WHAT TO DO IF YOUR VISA IS APPROVED/REJECTED?

• In case your visa is approved, then you will receive your visa inside your passport by mail or collect it physically at the particular embassy and you are good to go to your desired location. All the documents listed are sufficient only for a traveler’s short-stay Swiss Visa of 90 days. And in case they wish to stay for more than 90 days in Switzerland then they are advised to apply for a Swiss National Visa.
• In case your visa is rejected, then figure out the issue raised and get it done within 30 days by appealing again. Generally, the Swiss Visa application is processed in 15 days, but it takes 30 days in rare cases and may take even 60 days in other exceptional cases. Therefore, you must submit all your valid documents for your visa application on time up to 03 months before your Switzerland visit to avoid any delay.