Since 12 December 2008 Switzerland is an associated member state of the Schengen agreement and hence part of the Schengen area. The Schengen regulations apply for the entry and a stay that is not subject to authorisation up to three months. For individuals who are required to hold a visa, Switzerland will issue Schengen visas for a stay up to three months that are valid for the whole Schengen area.

General information and regulations on entry to Switzerland>>>here.

Before you start to plan your journey to our conference, please first check if a visa is needed to enter Switzerland:

List 1: Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality 

List 2: ID and visa provisions: particularities regardless of nationality

For those who are exempt from visa requirements, please check here the documents entitling to visa free entry to the Schengen area.

Information regarding visa application:

• the visa application must be submitted to the Swiss Embassy/Consulate covering your place of residence.
• a visa application not submitted to the Swiss Embassy/Consulate covering your place of residence may be turned down if the reasons for submission to any other Swiss Embassy/Consulate seem unclear.
• the application form can be filled in in german, french, italian, english or spanish language.
• you must have sufficient financial resources to cover your cost of living in Switzerland; as a rule, an amount of SFr. 100.– per day is considered sufficient.
• the Swiss Embassy/Consulate may demand a declaration of sponsorship.
• a visa without explicit authorization by the responsible authorities allows only a temporary stay in Switzerland.
• you may enter Switzerland only during the period of use specified in your visa.
• the maximum duration of your stay in Switzerland is specified in your visa.
• you may not take up employment during your stay in Switzerland nor take up studies exceeding a period of three months without the required permit.

Documents that need to be presented when applying for a Schengen Visa:

• One application form for a Schengen Visa (download and fill out according to the local Swiss Embassy requirement)
• Two pictures
• Passport (needs to be valid at least 3 months after having left the Schengen territory)
• Travel insurance (The travel insurance should cover the costs of emergency rescue, repatriation for medical reasons or emergency medical assistance, as well as emergency hospital care in case of accident or sudden illness during the stay. The minimum insurance coverage has to be CHF 30,000. The travel insurance has to be taken out with an insurance company which has its head offices or a branch in Switzerland, in the Principality of Liechtenstein or in an EU or EFTA State; is authorised to issue travel insurance policies by the supervisory body competent for its head offices. A list of the insurance companies authorised in Switzerland is available on the following webpage: Liste der Versicherungsgesellschaften, die über eine Bewilligung zum Ausstellen von Reisekrankenversicherungen verfügen)
• Justifying documents with regard to the object and the duration of the stay (business or tourist trip or private traveling)
• Documents proving the intention for returning back
• The proof of sufficient means to cover the costs of your stay, such as salary statement from last month, latest bank statements of an account, saving book, credit cards, traveller's cheques etc. (min. requirements 100 CHF per day)
• Declaration of acceptance of financial liability

Declaration of sponsorship

• The authorities delivering permits in charge may demand a declaration of guarantee, signed by a financially sound natural or legal person in Switzerland, as a means of control over the circumstances of sojourn of a foreigner.
• Guarantee may be declared by:
  a. Swiss nationals;
  b. Foreign nationals holding a permit of sojourn or a permit of residence.
• The declaration of sponsorship (the former declaration of guarantee) is an official document issued only by Swiss embassies following the submission of a visa application (if such a guarantee is required). For further information, please contact the Swiss Embassy responsible for your place of residence. The letter of invitation, which might also be required, can be freely drawn up by the host in Switzerland and must contain the following information: travel purpose, duration of the stay and information on the person who will meet the costs of the stay in Switzerland.

In general rules, the visas are delivered, following the situation, at least 5 days after the applying date. Only a complete file submitted between 09.00AM and 11.00AM is accepted. A request will be processed only after payment has been made in advance. The fee of 60 € will not be refunded, for any reason, even if the visa is refused.

To check the status of your visa application, you can contact the Federal Office for Migration either by e-mail, by telephone or by post.

Contact form

Tel:  +41 (0)31 325 11 11

Postal address:

Federal Office for Migration, Quellenweg 6, 3003 Berne-Wabern, Switzerland

You are required to provide your exact personal data: Surname, first names, date of birth, nationality or EVA reference number of the embassy where you submitted your application.

However, please note that you must wait between 6–8 weeks and you will be contacted when your application has been decided.

For further information, please check the Swiss Federal Office for Migration website:

http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/faq.html, and check your local Swiss Embassy for detailed visa requirement.

Please feel free to contact us: info@grforum.org.