Switzerland Visa for UAE Residents in 2024
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Do UAE Residents Need a Visa for Switzerland?
The requirement of a Schengen visa for UAE residents is based on their nationality. UAE citizens are eligible for visa-free travel to all Schengen member countries for short stays. Other UAE residents traveling to Switzerland must apply for a Schengen visa valid for 90 days.
Foreign nationals can apply for a Schengen visa to visit Switzerland for short-term stays not exceeding 90 days in any 180-day period. This visa is ideal for tourism, private visits, business conferences, and cultural events. Foreigners need a national visa for Switzerland if their stay exceeds 90 days.
Types of Switzerland Visas Available for UAE Residents
UAE residents can apply for a short-term visa or a long-term visa depending on their purpose of visiting Switzerland and the duration of their stay in the country. The details are as follows:
Short-Term Visa
A short-term visa permits visitors to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days from the date of entry. The following types of short-term visas are available to the UAE residents:
Tourist Visa
This visa is for foreign nationals visiting Switzerland for holiday, leisure, and recreation purposes
Visitor Visa
UAE residents can visit their friends or family members who are Swiss nationals/residents by applying for a visitor visa
Business Visa
Those traveling to Switzerland for business purposes such as events, conferences, seminars, meetings, or negotiations must apply for a business visa
Long-Term Visa
Foreign nationals visiting Switzerland for longer stays exceeding 90 days must obtain a long-term visa. The travel purpose may be employment, education, family reunion, or retirement. A long-term visa application must be submitted at the Swiss embassy in Abu Dhabi.
Switzerland Visa Requirements for UAE Residents
A completed and signed visa application form. You can download the visa application form online from the Swiss embassy website
Passport with a validity of at least three months from the date of leaving Switzerland. The passport should contain at least two blank pages and must be issued within the last ten years
A valid UAE residence permit with proof of residency in the UAE. The residence permit must be valid for at least 3 months from the intended departure date
Two photographs (not older than six months) complying with the Schengen visa photo guidelines
Detailed travel itinerary in Switzerland with proof of flight ticket reservation, including return flight
Proof of accommodation in Switzerland – hotel room reservation, rental agreement, or an invitation letter from a local host
Bank statements for the past three months as proof of financial means to cover the cost of stay in Switzerland
A letter from the employer with details of the company, position, joining date, salary, and the dates of the approved leave (if the applicant is an employee) or the original trade license (if the applicant is self-employed)
Schengen travel health insurance with coverage of at least EUR 30,000 (approx. AED 120,000) to cover medical emergencies
How to Get a Switzerland Visa for UAE Residents?
As Switzerland is a Schengen member country, you must apply for a Schengen visa to visit the country. The step-by-step procedure for UAE residents on how to apply for a Schengen visa is as follows:
Select the right visa type based on your travel purpose and duration of stay in Switzerland
Gather all the required documents as listed in the previous section to support your visa application
Schedule an appointment with VFS Global, the authorized visa application center for Switzerland in the UAE. You can apply up to six months before your travel date and must apply at least 15 days before you start your trip
Attend the appointment on the scheduled date and time. Submit the visa application form with the supporting documents. The biometric data is taken for first-time Schengen visa applicants. Please attend the visa interview if you are asked to do the same
Pay the prescribed visa fee at the center
Generally, the Schengen visa applications take around two weeks to process. After processing, you will be notified by VFS Global to collect your passport along with the visa
How Much Does a Swiss Visa Cost? What is its Validity?
| Particulars | Details |
|---|---|
| Visa application fee for adults | EUR 90 (approx. AED 360) |
| Visa application fee for minor applicants between 6 to 12 years of age | EUR 45 (approx. AED 180) |
| Visa application fee for minor applicants aged below 6 years | Free |
| Service fee (payable to VFS Global) | AED 110 |
The Schengen visa is valid for short stays and permits foreign travelers to stay in Switzerland for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days.
Switzerland Visa On Arrival for UAE Residents
Switzerland does not offer a visa on arrival for UAE residents. Hence, those who wish to travel must apply for a Schengen visa in advance, (unless they hold a passport from any of the visa-free countries for Switzerland).
Note: UAE passport holders are exempted from visa requirements for short-term stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area including Switzerland. Only UAE residents who are not citizens need to apply for a Schengen visa before their trip.
How to Check the Swiss Visa Status Online?
Visit the website of VFS Global, the official partner of the Swiss embassy in the UAE
Navigate to the ‘Track Your Application’ section on the homepage
Enter the application reference number and your date of birth
Enter the captcha code as shown and click ‘Submit’. The status of your visa application is displayed on the page
Frequently Asked Questions about Switzerland Visa for UAE Residents
Yes. UAE residents (non-Emiratis) can visit Switzerland by obtaining a short-term Schengen visa. This visa is valid for a maximum of 90 days within a 180-day period.
The visa application fee is EUR 90 (AED 360) for adults and EUR 45 (AED 180) for children aged between 6 to 12 years. There is no visa fee for children aged below 6 years.
The Schengen authorities do not specify any fixed amount for a Schengen visa. The specific amount may vary based on several factors such as travel purpose, duration of stay, travel itinerary, etc. However, it is recommended to have a bank balance of at least AED 12,000 for short stays in the Schengen region.
The processing time for a Swiss visa is dependent on several factors such as documentation, number of applications, and holidays. However, it takes an average of 10-15 days to get a visit visa for Switzerland from the UAE.
Getting a Swiss tourist visa is relatively easy if the application is proper and you meet all the documentation requirements. However, it may still take up to 15 working days to get the visa.
Switzerland has one of the lowest rejection rates for a Schengen visa application. As per the European Commission, the rejection rate for a Swiss visa was around 10.7% in 2023.
Switzerland enjoys one of the highest approval rates for a Schengen visa. The success rate for a Swiss visa was around 89% in 2023.
The requirement of an interview typically depends on the visa type, the applicant’s nationality, and specific guidelines of the local embassy. However, an interview is a part of the application process for a Schengen visa or a long-term national visa.
Switzerland has a lower visa rejection or a higher visa approval rate than France. So, it is easier to get a Swiss visa vis-a-vis a French visa.
