Visa Information

Overview

VISA “C TYPE” / SCHENGEN VISA

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

Detailed information:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/china/en/home/visa/entry-ch/up-90-days.html

Check this page before you start:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/china/en/home/visa/entry-ch/up-90-days/do-i-need-a-schengen-visa.html

Application form for urgent appointment (Hong Kong)

The appointment schedule and the checking process can be expedited for applications for entry into Switzerland for humanitarian or medical reasons (urgent medical treatment, serious accident, loss in the family, etc.). To enable the Swiss representation to evaluate the situation, submit the online form for urgent appointment. The representation will inform you as soon as possible about the procedures to follow for the visa application. You also have the possibility of being informed directly by phone if you contact the Swiss representation.

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/china/en/home/visa/entry-ch/up-90-days/fast-track/formular-hongkong.html

Visa Fees

The Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) and the Visa Code stipulate the fees to be collected. The amounts are payable in Hong Kong Dollar.

The fee for the visa is due at the time the application is submitted and is not refundable. If you withdraw the application or it is rejected the fee will not be reimbursed.

The Swiss representation reserves the right to adapt the amounts of the fees at any time in relation with exchange rate fluctuations.

Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) (de, fr, it)

SEM – VII. Visas (Visa provisions) (de, fr, it)

Documents Required

Visa application form:

German/English

Chinese/French

Documentation to submit with a Schengen visa application

	Business Visa
	Tourist Visa
	Travel Plan Tourist Visa
	Visitor Visa
	Domestic Helper Visa
	Domestic helper’s visa form

Kindly note that the application has to be submitted at the Schengen representation of the country of your main destination. Tourists who spend equal time in several Schengen states are required to apply for the visa at the representation of the country where they enter the Schengen area.

Since 12.10.2015 all diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in Hong Kong have to capture the biometric data (finger scans and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years. 

If no scan of your fingerprints has been captured yet, personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory.

You will still have to appear in person to give your fingerprints in case the previously collected fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality.

Personal appearance and fingerprint scan is not necessary for children under the age of 12.

The Swiss representation reserves the right to ask the applicant to appear in person if a personal interview is required or to ask additional documents.

Kindly bring all required documents along with you (for information please refer to the different leaflets on this page). Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

Please be advised that supporting documents from Mainland China (e.g. bank statements, proof of employment, travel insurances or itineraries) will not be accepted and that applicants with such documents will have to be referred to a Swiss representation in Mainland China even if the applicant holds a valid residence permit or visa for Hong Kong or Macau.

Photo Specifications

Size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, color photo with white background, taken within 6 months, from the front and without any head-coverings.

ICAO MRTD photo guidelines

Travel Medical Insurance

The insurance should be valid for the whole Schengen area and cover the whole period of your stay within the Schengen area.

1. Notes:

   1. The insurance policy should clearly indicate its validity for the whole Schengen area. The insurance covering Switzerland only is not compliant.
   2. If the travel insurance policy doesn’t indicate Schengen area and the zones covered by the insurance are shown in clauses, please also provide the photocopies of insurance clauses (English, German, French, Italian or Romansh translation required if the policy is in Chinese).
   3. Insurance period: The insurance should cover the departure and return dates matching air ticket booking document, from the arrival day in the first Schengen country till the departure day leaving the last Schengen country.

2. Insured amount:

   The insurance must have a minimum coverage of 30.000 Euro (around 300.000 HKD) including medical fees and repatriation costs.

Overview

VISA “D TYPE” / NATIONAL VISA

Persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period are subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence in Switzerland. For example: work for an employer in Switzerland, long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Detailed information:

Do I need a national visa?

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/china/en/home/visa/entry-ch/more-90-days.html

Visa Fees

The Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) and the Visa Code stipulate the fees to be collected. The amounts are payable in Hong Kong Dollar.

The fee for the visa is due at the time the application is submitted and is not refundable. If you withdraw the application or it is rejected the fee will not be reimbursed.

The Swiss representation reserves the right to adapt the amounts of the fees at any time in relation with exchange rate fluctuations.

Ordinance on Fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) (de, fr, it)

SEM – VII. Visas (Visa provisions) (de, fr, it)

Documents Required

Any stay beyond 90 days (work, study or family reunion etc.) requires a residence permit issued by the Migration Office of the relevant Canton in Switzerland. For the list with the requirement documents please refer to the leaflets on this page.

The authorization of a long-term stay falls under the competence of the various Swiss cantons. Applications have to be submitted to this Consulate General, which which will forward the application to the respective authority for decision.

Application form

German/English

Chinese/French

Other languages

Document checklist

	Work visa
	Study visa
	Family reunion visa

Photo Specifications

Size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, color photo with white background, taken within 6 months, from the front and without any head-coverings.

ICAO MRTD photo guidelines

Overview

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Detailed information:

https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/china/en/home/visa/entry-ch/transit.html

Do I need an airport transit visa?

Visa Fees

The Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) and the Visa Code stipulate the fees to be collected. The amounts are payable in the currency determined by the Swiss representation.

The fee for the visa is due at the time the application is submitted and is not refundable. If you withdraw the application or it is rejected the fee will not be reimbursed.

The Swiss representation reserves the right to adapt the amounts of the fees at any time in relation with exchange rate fluctuations.

Ordinance on fees under the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals (SR 142.209) (de, fr, it)

SEM – VII. Visas (Visa provisions) (de, fr, it)

Documents Required

Download application form

Photo Specifications

Size 3.5 cm x 4.5 cm, color photo with white background, taken within 6 months, from the front and without any head-coverings.

ICAO MRTD photo guidelines