Switzerland Tightens Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Travellers: What You Need to Know

Switzerland Tightens Schengen Visa Rules for Indian Travellers: What You Need to Know (Image: Canva)

Considering a trip to Switzerland? Recent Schengen visa updates from the Swiss Embassy’s visa partner, VFS Global, mean you’ll want to double-check your paperwork before applying. The rules have become stricter: only the documents listed on the official checklist for your visa type will be accepted at Indian Visa Application Centres. No extras, no exceptions. This change signals a push towards greater precision and streamlining in visa processing.

The official Schengen visa alert states: “All the applicants are hereby informed that only the documents listed in the official checklist for the respective visa category will be accepted at the Visa Application Centre (VAC).”

Additionally, VFS Global clarified that if applicants submit lengthy bank statements, only the first three pages and the last three pages will be accepted. This highlights the embassy’s intent to streamline submissions and reduce extraneous paperwork.

The changes come as part of an ongoing effort to improve the efficiency and accuracy of visa processing, aligning Switzerland’s procedures more closely with those of other Schengen states.

What Does the Official Checklist Include?

Indian applicants for a Schengen tourist visa to Switzerland must ensure their submissions include the following, strictly adhering to the checklist:

• A valid passport, issued within the past 10 years, with at least three months’ validity beyond the planned return date and a minimum of two blank pages.
• One recent passport-sized photograph on a white background, no older than six months, pasted—not stapled or pinned.
• A completed and signed visa application form; minors require legal guardian signatures and custody proof if applicable.
• An official introduction letter from the employer on company letterhead, signed and stamped, detailing position, travel dates, purpose, and a no-objection declaration.
• Travel insurance covering at least EUR 30,000, valid for medical emergencies across all Schengen countries and for the entire duration of the trip.
• Confirmed return flight tickets and any intra-Schengen travel arrangements.
• Proof of accommodation such as hotel bookings or tour confirmations.
• Financial documentation including salary slips for the last three months, bank statements (restricted to first three and last three pages), and Income Tax Returns for the last two years. Self-employed applicants must provide business registration details and financial proof accordingly.
• For family applicants, only the head of the family needs to submit financial, insurance, and booking documents naming all family members.
• Students aged 16 and above must provide a student ID and an official letter from their institution.
• Minors travelling without both parents must provide notarised consent from non-travelling parent(s) along with copies of parental identification.

The embassy’s insistence on strict adherence to the checklist and the rejection of supplementary documents means applicants must be scrupulous in their preparation. While the new protocol may expedite processing, it also limits the flexibility for applicants who may previously have relied on additional papers or explanations.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I submit documents not listed in the official checklist?
Any documents not included in the official checklist will be rejected outright by the Visa Application Centre. This may lead to delays or refusal of your visa application.

2. Can I submit additional financial documents if my bank statement is insufficient?
No. Only the documents listed in the checklist are accepted. For bank statements, only the first three and last three pages will be reviewed.

3. Is it mandatory to submit travel insurance for the entire Schengen area?
Yes. The insurance must cover medical emergencies across all Schengen countries for the full duration of your trip, with minimum coverage of EUR 30,000.

4. How should family members apply for the visa?
Families may submit applications together, but only the head of the family must provide financial proof, insurance, and bookings that mention all family members.

5. What documents do minors need if travelling without both parents?
Notarised consent from the non-travelling parent(s) is required, along with copies of the parents’ passports or government-issued identification.

Prospective travellers to Switzerland must take care to follow these updated guidelines to ensure a smooth visa process. For the most current information, always refer to official channels such as the VFS Global website and the Swiss Embassy’s visa services.