Those looking for a Liechtenstein visa cannot find a Liechtenstein embassy in Baku, because this country has only a handful of embassies in the world and Switzerland handles its visa matters everywhere. Which is to say that to go to Vaduz you get a Schengen visa from the Swiss embassy and state Liechtenstein on the application.
Liechtenstein has no airport of its own either; you enter the country via Zurich, and the trip is almost always combined with Switzerland or Austria. In this article we explain how the visa is obtained, the route and the finer points of a trip to this small country.
A Liechtenstein visa: the basics
| Visa type | Schengen visa, type «C» |
| Who issues it? | The Swiss embassy, Baku (representing Liechtenstein) |
| Consular fee | 35 euros, free under 12 |
| Visa centre fee | None |
| Processing time | 10–15 working days |
| How do you get there? | Zurich airport, then a 1.5-hour train |
Why is a Liechtenstein visa obtained from Switzerland?
Liechtenstein is in a customs and currency union with Switzerland, there is no border, the currency is the Swiss franc, and since 1919 Switzerland has conducted Liechtenstein’s consular affairs. Under the Schengen rules the Swiss embassies issue visas on Liechtenstein’s behalf. In Baku that is the Swiss embassy: the appointment is taken through the embassy’s own system, the documents are submitted directly to the embassy, and there is no visa centre and no extra service fee. Official information about the country is given on Liechtenstein’s official portal.
Documents for a Liechtenstein visa
One subtlety: Liechtenstein is so small that many people do not spend the night there, staying in Zurich or in the Austrian town of Feldkirch and going over for the day. In that case the main country is Switzerland or Austria and the visa is obtained for that country. If you are going to spend the night in Liechtenstein, the visa is obtained for Liechtenstein — in any case the door is the same, the Swiss embassy.
Read next: A Swiss visa: applying directly at the embassy, the financial requirement and Liechtenstein
How do you get from Baku to Liechtenstein?
You fly to Zurich via Istanbul, Vienna or Frankfurt, and the whole journey takes 7–9 hours. From Zurich airport there is a 1.5-hour train to the Sargans or Buchs station on the Liechtenstein border, and from there a 15-minute bus to Vaduz. Zurich ticket prices rise in the ski season and in summer. From the Austrian side the Feldkirch station is also 20 minutes away.
Liechtenstein is usually a one-day stop in Alpine tour programmes covering Switzerland and Austria: Vaduz castle, the Prince’s collection and a souvenir stamp in the passport.
Frequently asked questions about the Liechtenstein visa
Can you enter Liechtenstein on another Schengen visa?
Yes, Liechtenstein is in the Schengen zone and you can enter on any valid Schengen visa. There is no border check.
Is the passport stamped?
As there is no border there is no official stamp, but the tourist centre in Vaduz puts in a souvenir stamp for a few francs. That is not an official document.
How long does a Liechtenstein visa take?
The Swiss embassy decides within 10–15 working days; together with the appointment the whole process takes 4–6 weeks.
In closing
A Liechtenstein visa is an ordinary Schengen visa obtained from the Swiss embassy, and its only difficulty is the limited appointment slots at the embassy and the financial requirement. The Viza.az team helps with getting an appointment at the Swiss embassy, preparing the documents and building the Alpine route.
You can read more about Liechtenstein as a destination or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. Representation arrangements and fees can change, so check the official pages once more before applying.
