SwitzerlandVisits and short stays

Switzerland tourist visa (Schengen type C)

Schengen visa (type C) for tourism

In short

Holidays in Switzerland of up to 90 days need a Schengen visa if your nationality is visa-required: fill in the SEM online form, apply at the Swiss representation responsible for your place of legal residence or its service provider, and show about CHF 100 per day. The decision usually comes within 15 days.

Apply on SEM – online visa application form checked 23 October 2026

Key facts

Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
Fee
€90Adults EUR 90, children 6–12 EUR 45, under 6 free; family of EU/EFTA citizens free. Not refundable; the mission sets the currency and payment method, and an external service provider charges its own service fee.
Funds required
CHF 100 per dayAdministrative practice: about CHF 100 per day for visitors paying their own costs (students with a valid student card about CHF 30). A host's declaration of sponsorship covering up to CHF 30,000 can replace it.
Processing time
Normally decided within 15 days, longer in individual cases.
Work
No.
Where to apply
The Swiss embassy or consulate responsible for your place of legal residence, or the external service provider it uses.

Documents by occupation

Employees bring an original employment certificate on letterhead with passport number, start date, position, length of leave and whether it is paid, plus recent payslips. Company owners add their company registration documents. Lawyers show their bar registration, farmers a chamber of agriculture certificate, retirees a bank statement with the pension, university students a student certificate and pupils a school confirmation.

The Swiss checklists

Swiss representations publish checklists for tourism, visits, business, medical treatment and culture and sports, based on the EU harmonised list for the country where you apply. Bring the printed SEM form, passport, photo, insurance, proof of means and occupation, and your bookings.

Required documents

Identity

  • Visa application form generated on the SEM online form, printed and signed
  • Passport issued within 10 years, two blank pages, valid three months after leaving Schengen
  • ICAO-compliant photo (fingerprints taken every 59 months from age 12)

Travel

  • Travel and accommodation bookings
  • Copies of passport pages 2–3 and of earlier visas with entry and exit stamps

Money

  • Proof of means: bank statements and income documents (about CHF 100 per day) or a host's declaration of sponsorship

Work

  • Proof of occupation (employer letter, company documents or student certificate) as on the checklist of the Swiss mission responsible for you

Insurance

  • Travel medical insurance of at least EUR 30,000 valid in the Schengen area

Supporting documents (where they apply)

Travel

  • By car: driving licence and green card (international motor insurance certificate)

Study

  • University students: student certificate; school pupils: stamped and signed school confirmation

Family

  • Minors travelling alone or with one parent: current notarised parental consent, original and copy, plus divorce decree with custody or death certificate where relevant

Other

  • Lawyers: bar registration; farmers: chamber of agriculture certificate; retirees: bank statement showing the pension

Funds

Under Swiss administrative practice visitors paying their own way need about CHF 100 per day; students with a valid student card about CHF 30 per day.

Insurance and how to hand in the file

Travel medical insurance must cover at least EUR 30,000, be valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay and include medical repatriation, emergency treatment and hospitalisation; Swiss checklists ask for the signed policy, original and copy. Hand in the documents in the order of the checklist of the mission responsible for you; if your fingerprints are already stored in the Schengen system, an authorised person with a dated and signed letter may be able to lodge the file for you.

  1. Complete the visa application on the SEM online form and print it.
  2. Download the checklist for "tourism" of the Swiss representation responsible for your place of legal residence and prepare the documents.
  3. Book an appointment as that representation instructs, with the mission itself or its external service provider, up to six months before travel.
  4. Attend in person, give fingerprints and pay the EUR 90 visa fee plus any service fee.
  5. The Swiss representation decides, normally within 15 days, and returns your passport.

When to apply

Apply up to six months and at least 15 days before travel; demand is high in many places, so book early. Some Schengen states require prior consultation for certain nationalities, which can add up to 14 days. Swiss representations may offer faster appointments for urgent medical or humanitarian travel.

Refusal and appeal

A refusal can be appealed within 30 days of receipt; the procedure is described on the SEM website and in the refusal notice. The visa fee is not refunded.

Frequently asked questions

Is there an urgent appointment option?

Swiss representations may offer a fast-track appointment for urgent medical or humanitarian travel; ask the mission responsible for you.

How much is the fee and how is it paid?

EUR 90 for adults and EUR 45 for children aged 6–12; the mission where you apply sets the currency and payment method.

How much travel insurance do I need for Switzerland?

At least EUR 30,000, valid in all Schengen states for the whole stay, including medical repatriation, emergency treatment and hospitalisation.

Can someone else hand in my application?

Yes, if your fingerprints are already in the Schengen system: an authorised person with a dated and signed letter can submit it.

What does a child travelling with one parent need?

A current notarised consent of the legal representative, original and copy, and, where relevant, the divorce decree with custody or a death certificate; the accompanying person shows a valid passport and Schengen visa.

Official sources

Summarised from the official sources above. Rules, fees and processing times change: confirm with the embassy or the official portal before you apply.

Other visa types for Switzerland

Visits and short stays

Business and self-employment

  • Business visa Maximum stay: Up to 90 days in any 180-day period

Study and training

  • Student visa Processing time: At least 8–12 weeks, because the cantonal migration office must approve.
  • Au pair visa Maximum stay: Up to 12 months

Work

Family

Residence

Protection

Switzerland visa guide