If your finger prints have not been recorded, personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory. You will need to schedule an appointment with the representation competent for your place of residence.

If you received a Schengen visa issued after May 15, 2014 and your finger prints were successfully recorded, personal appearance should not be necessary. You may mail your complete Schengen visa application to the competent representation for your place of residence. 

In case the previously recorded fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality, you will still have to appear in person.

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

The Swiss representation reserves the right to request the applicant to appear for a personal interview after reviewing the application. 

Private entities not related to the Consulates or any other government body offer appointment services to visa clients. The visa clients who employ the services of such a company pay a fee to the company for making an appointment at the relevant Consulate for them. This fee does not include the actual visa fee, which has to be paid to the Consulates directly. The Consulates do not ask for an appointment fee and do not give preference to clients who employ the services of a private company to make the appointment on their behalf.  

English – German

SEM – Visa Application Form

The application form is the same as the Schengen visa application form.

A complete application must be submitted to the Embassy or Consulate General at least 15 days but not more than 3 months before the intended visit.

To register your visa application online, please visit www.swiss-visa.ch. Please note that the application must be printed and submitted with all supporting documents.

Prior online registration of the application significantly reduces the time required to process your request. However, for applicants with system limitations the pdf version of the visa application is also available:

English – German
French – English

Other languages: SEM – Visa Application Form

Airport transit visa (PDF, 149.3 kB, English) 

Sample of consent letter

International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – MRTD Photo Guidelines