Tourist Visa
Understanding the Difference Between a Tourist Visa and a Visitor Visa
A Tourist Visa differs from a Visitor Visa in Switzerland:
- A Visitor Visa is issued to individuals visiting friends or relatives in Switzerland and typically requires an invitation letter. In some cases, it may also require a financial guarantee from the sponsor or inviter.
- A Tourist Visa, on the other hand, does not require an invitation and is intended solely for individuals wishing to spend their vacation in Switzerland.
Since a Tourist Visa is not based on sponsorship, the requirements are more stringent, and only individuals with a stable and acceptable standard of living in their home country are likely to be approved.
The key requirement when applying for a Tourist Visa is to provide a valid reason for choosing Switzerland as your vacation destination, along with proof of sufficient financial means to support your stay.
Main Conditions and Required Documents for a Tourist Visa
1. Proof of Regular Income in Your Home Country
• You must demonstrate a stable source of income that meets the required standards in your home country.
• If employed, you need to provide:
o Recent salary slips (covering at least the last three months).
o An employment verification letter from your employer, stating your position, salary, and approved leave period.
o Your national insurance record (e.g., CNSS in Morocco).
• If self-employed, you must submit:
o Business registration documents.
o Tax records proving consistent business activity.
o Proof of regular income with an acceptable average profit over time.
• The authorities will assess your financial stability to ensure you can support yourself during your stay and that you have strong ties to your home country (ensuring your return).
• If employed, you need to provide:
o Recent salary slips (covering at least the last three months).
o An employment verification letter from your employer, stating your position, salary, and approved leave period.
o Your national insurance record (e.g., CNSS in Morocco).
• If self-employed, you must submit:
o Business registration documents.
o Tax records proving consistent business activity.
o Proof of regular income with an acceptable average profit over time.
• The authorities will assess your financial stability to ensure you can support yourself during your stay and that you have strong ties to your home country (ensuring your return).
2. Bank Account Statement
• You must provide bank statements for both:
o Your personal account.
o Your business account.
• These statements must:
o Cover at least the last six months.
o Show an acceptable average balance over time.
• This is a critical factor in assessing your financial capacity to afford your trip to Switzerland.
o Your personal account.
o Your business account.
• These statements must:
o Cover at least the last six months.
o Show an acceptable average balance over time.
• This is a critical factor in assessing your financial capacity to afford your trip to Switzerland.
3. Paid Travel Packages (Accommodation & Transportation)
• You must book a complete travel package from a reputable travel agency in Switzerland.
• Your accommodation should be of at least upper-mid-range quality.
o Online reservations from websites such as Booking.com or Airbnb are not accepted.
• The Swiss authorities require proof of confirmed accommodations to ensure you have properly planned your stay.
• Your accommodation should be of at least upper-mid-range quality.
o Online reservations from websites such as Booking.com or Airbnb are not accepted.
• The Swiss authorities require proof of confirmed accommodations to ensure you have properly planned your stay.
4. Detailed Travel Itinerary
• If you plan to visit multiple cities or regions in Switzerland, you must provide a clear and detailed itinerary, including:
o Exact travel dates.
o Destinations and accommodation details.
o Planned activities and how they align with your vacation plans.
• This helps demonstrate that you have a structured travel plan and that your visit is genuinely for tourism purposes.
o Exact travel dates.
o Destinations and accommodation details.
o Planned activities and how they align with your vacation plans.
• This helps demonstrate that you have a structured travel plan and that your visit is genuinely for tourism purposes.
5. Travel Insurance
• You must provide proof of valid travel insurance, covering:
o Medical expenses up to 30,000 EUR.
o Emergency repatriation in case of medical need.
o Medical expenses up to 30,000 EUR.
o Emergency repatriation in case of medical need.
6. Proof of Strong Ties to Your Home Country
• You must provide proof of valid travel insurance, covering:
o Medical expenses up to 30,000 EUR.
o Emergency repatriation in case of medical need.
o Medical expenses up to 30,000 EUR.
o Emergency repatriation in case of medical need.
