Authorized Visa
Visa for which an authorization has been given directly in Switzerland
If your employer/school/family member has applied for your permit in Switzerland and it has been granted, you must still apply for an entry visa with the competent Swiss representation abroad.
Authorized Short-term stays (less than 90 days)
If the authorized stay is for less than 90 days within 6 months (also applies to work authorizations for 120 days within 12 months), the entry visa is issued in form of a Schengen visa.
Documents to subit with your application:
You must submit your application personally at VFS global, unless your fingerprints were collected within the last 59 month for a previous visa (*).
Where to apply for a Schengen visa
(*) In this case, the application can be submitted by mail to VFS global. However, it cannot be determined whether the quality of the biometric data allows copying of the fingerprints from a previous visa until the application is processed. For that reason a personal appearance at VFS global might still be required. Previously, email your Schengen visa stickers from the last 59 months together with your authorization to the competent Swiss representation to verify if your fingerprints can be copied.
Authorized Long-Term Stays (Over 90 Days)
If the authorized stay is for more than 90 days, you may submit your application by mail to the Embassy or Consulate.
Where to apply for a national visa
Required documents:
- Original valid passport or travel document (must be valid for at least 3 months past the arrival date, been issued within the past 10 years and have at least 2 blank visa pages)
- Copy of passport or travel document (photo, data and signature pages only)
- Non-U.S. Citizens: Notarized copy of proof of residency in the USA, e.g. a valid permanent resident card (green card), H1B visa (plus I-797), F-1 visa (plus I-20), etc.
- One passport photo. U.S. standard-sized passport photos will also be accepted. Digital files and photocopies will not be accepted.
- Copy of authorization form.
- Visa fee.
- Passports with issued visas will be mailed back.
Please provide a prepaid, self-addressed return envelope with a tracking number of a secure carrier (Mailing possible only to an address in the USA). Applicants must indicate their name and address both as sender and recipient. The Swiss representation does not assume any liability for the loss of documents submitted or returned by mail.
Processing Time
The time needed for a visa request to be processed may vary from case to case. It is therefore strongly recommended to take the necessary steps well in advance, so that the visa can be issued in the time required.
Processing time for visas for persons who have already received an authorization from a Swiss cantonal authority:
5 business days