Visa Information / Services

for visits to Switzerland (including Schengen countries)

(Status: 02 June 2009)
 

Switzerland is now part of the Schengen Area.

The following information is mainly applicable for ordinary passport holders of the “Republic of China” and the “Republic of China (Taiwan)”:

Types of visa / basic requirements / visa fees:

Short term (period of up to 90 days)

a) Tourist

Ø Schengen visa application form (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and copy of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø Copy of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø Two passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø Employment certificate of Taiwanese company or recent bank statement

Ø Copy of flight reservation

Ø Household certificate for minors travelling with their parents

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900 (children below 6 years are free of charge)
 

b) Collective tourist (group of 5-50 people travelling together)

 
Requirements for visas to tourist groups through travel agency 

Ø Letter by travel agent (bank endorsement) with details of group leader declaring the

      responsibility for the whole group’s return to Taiwan, taking over all travel and eventual

      repatriation cost

Ø Complete travel itinerary (flight and hotel reservations)

Ø List of all participants

Ø Schengen visa application form (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø 2 passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø Original passport

Ø Copy of passport and ID card (on an A4 – size paper)

Ø The original tour leader license with one copy (if the tour leader already have a valid Schengen visa,

        please enclose photocopies of her/his passport and visa)

Visa fee: NT$2,900.- / each person
 

c) Visitor

For applicants invited by a person in Switzerland who acts as their host, providing accommodation and possibly taking care of other expenses
Ø Schengen visa application form (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and copy of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø Copy of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø Two passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø Employment certificate of Taiwanese company or recent bank statement

Ø Copy of flight reservation

Ø Household certificate for minors travelling with their parents

After submitting all the required documents, the applicant will receive a financial guarantee letter which has to be sent to the host in Switzerland for verification of the finances. The visa will only be issued after financial approval has been received from Switzerland (processing time: 2 – 4 weeks)

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900 (children below 6 years are free of charge)
 

d) Business   

Ø Schengen visa application form (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and copy of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø Copy of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø Two passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø Employment certificate of Taiwanese company

Ø Invitation letter from Swiss company

Ø Copy of flight reservation

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900

e) Student

Ø Schengen visa application form (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and copy of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø One copy of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø Two passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø Recent bank statement

Ø Copy of flight reservation

Ø Confirmation letter from Swiss school

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900 

Long-term (period of more than 90 days)

f) Student

Ø 3 Schengen visa application forms (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and 3 copies of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø 3 copies of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø 4 passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø 3 copies of school enrolment receipt

Ø 3 copies of highest graduation certificates

Ø 3 copies of a guarantee statement of leaving Switzerland after studies

Ø 3 copies of TOEFL or IELTS test (not older than 1 year)

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900 (extra: postage charge NT$ 300)
 

g) Resident

Ø 3 Schengen visa application forms (duly completed and personally signed)

Ø Original passport and 3 copies of main page of passport (passport validity of at least 6 months)

Ø 3 copies of ID card (A4-size paper)

Ø 4 passport pictures (good quality, colour, 35-40mm, white background)

Ø 3 copies of a paper that justifies permanent move to Switzerland (marriage certificate with
        a Swiss national, work contract with a Swiss company,  household register for a child of a Swiss citizen etc)

Visa fee: NT$ 2’900 (postage charge: NT$ 300)

Spouses and children of Swiss nationals are free of charge.

Additional information

Apply with:

Trade Office of Swiss Industries (Visa Section)

31F, 333 Keelung Road, Sec. 1

Taipei

Phone: 02/2720 1001         Fax: 02/2757 6984         e-mail: visa@swiss.org.tw

Opening hours for visa services: Monday-Friday from 0900-1130

Application procedure

Applicants must apply at their country of residence and apply with the representative office of the country where they plan to spend most of their time during their stay in Europe. If they spend an equal amount of time in different countries, they should make their application at the representative office of the country where they enter the Schengen area first. Applicants must bring all required documents along. Visa application forms for minors need to be signed by parents/legal guardians.

Documentation

The Trade Office of Swiss Industries reserves the right to ask for additional documents if needed. Requirements/visa fees are subject to changes.

The above information is mainly for ROC passport holders. Other nationalities who require visas for Switzerland/Schengen Area are requested to check details. Please do not hesitate to contact TOSI in case of uncertainties.

Processing time

The visa processing time usually takes 3 days for short-term visas (up to 90 days). It is recommended to apply approximately 3 weeks before the planned entry date.

The visa processing time will take between 6-8 weeks for long-term visas (more than 90 days). It is recommended to apply at least 2 months before the planned entry date.

Urgent visa:  in urgent matters a visa may be issued on the same day of application (as an exception only) and is subject to a 50 % surcharge.

Schengen Area

The Schengen Area comprises most of the EU member states (Switzerland is not a member of the EU, but a member of Schengen): Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

The Schengen agreement includes common policy on the temporary entry of persons, the harmonisation of external border controls and police as well as judicial cooperation. It facilitates travel for individuals by eliminating systematic checks at common borders of signatory states.

ROC passport holders with residence outside of Taiwan:

·   Holders of a ROC passport and a valid Swiss permanent residence card are permitted to
     enter the whole Schengen area without a visa.

·   Holders of a ROC passport and a residence authorisation issued by the United Kingdom,
     Ireland, Canada and the United States of America (green card) need a visa to enter
     Switzerland and the Schengen area.

·   As a general rule, ROC passport holders with residence in other countries apply in their
     respective country of residence.

Further information

You may consult “Frequently asked questions” with regards to Swiss Schengen visa at the following link of the Swiss Federal Office of Migration for further information:
http://www.bfm.admin.ch/bfm/en/home/themen/einreise/schengen-visum.html