A Switzerland visa is a Schengen visa, but Switzerland itself is not a member of the European Union and that brings a few differences into the process. The most visible one is that there is no visa centre for Switzerland in Baku: the documents go straight to the Swiss embassy, the appointment slots are limited, and the embassy looks at financial documents as one of the most attentive embassies in Europe.
In this article we explain how the application goes, Switzerland’s financial expectations, the documents, the Liechtenstein question and the flight options to Zurich and Geneva.
A Switzerland visa: the basics
| Visa type | Type «C» Schengen visa |
| Where do the documents go? | The Swiss embassy, Baku, by appointment |
| Consular fee | 35 euros, free for children under 12 |
| Visa centre charge | None |
| Processing time | 10–15 working days |
| Liechtenstein | You can enter on a Swiss visa, Switzerland represents it |
| Direct flight | None, via Istanbul, Vienna or Frankfurt |
How do you get a Switzerland visa?
The Swiss embassy takes Schengen visa applications in Baku itself. The appointment is booked through the embassy’s online system and, as the slots are limited, you have to look 3–4 weeks ahead. On the appointed day the documents are handed in at the embassy in person, fingerprints are taken and the fee is paid. The decision usually comes within 10–15 working days. As there is no visa centre there is no extra service charge, and that is one of Switzerland’s rare cheap sides. The official rules are set out on the Baku page of the Swiss embassy.
Money: how much should be in the account for a Switzerland visa?
Switzerland is the most expensive country in Europe and the embassy looks at financial documents accordingly. About 100 Swiss francs a day is expected, which means that for a 10-day trip your account should hold no less than 1000 francs, roughly 2000 manats. Even if the hotel has been paid for in advance, this sum is still asked for.
The bank statement has to cover the last 3 months and the income has to look regular. If the salary on the employment certificate does not match the movement in the account, the chance of refusal is high. If a relative living in Switzerland is paying the costs, their formal sponsorship letter and financial documents are added as well.
The documents for a Switzerland visa
The documents must be in English, German or French; hand in documents in Azerbaijani with a translation.
Read next: The 7 mistakes people make most when applying for an Austria visa
Liechtenstein and the neighbours
Liechtenstein has no consulate of its own and Switzerland represents it all over the world. So if you want to go to Vaduz, you get a Swiss visa and state Liechtenstein in the application. On the same visa you can also cross into Germany, Austria, France and Italy, as Switzerland sits at the centre of the Alpine routes. The condition is that the main part of the trip be in Switzerland.
How do you get from Baku to Switzerland?
There is no direct flight. People fly to Zurich with Turkish Airlines via Istanbul, Austrian via Vienna and Lufthansa via Frankfurt, and to Geneva mainly via Istanbul, with the whole journey taking 7–9 hours. Baku–Zurich air ticket prices go up in the December-to-February ski season and in summer. Inside Switzerland the train is the most comfortable transport, and the Swiss Travel Pass covers all the trains, buses and boats for tourists.
As Switzerland is very expensive to travel on your own, going with a group makes a big difference; in Switzerland tour programmes covering Interlaken, Lucerne and Zermatt the hotel and the train are settled together, and the visa documents are prepared with the tour operator.
Frequently asked questions about the Switzerland visa
How many days does a Switzerland visa take?
10–15 working days. Adding the wait for an appointment at the embassy, the whole process takes 4–6 weeks.
Can you enter Switzerland on another Schengen visa?
Yes, Switzerland is in the Schengen zone and you can enter on a valid multiple-entry Schengen visa. But if Switzerland is the main country of the trip, the visa has to be obtained from Switzerland.
Does Switzerland accept euros?
The official currency is the Swiss franc. Big shops accept euros, but they give the change in francs and at a poor rate. Cards work everywhere.
In closing
The Switzerland visa process is straightforward, because the embassy works directly, but you have to be ready for two things: limited appointment slots and strong financial documents. The Viza.az team helps with getting an appointment at the embassy, arranging the financial documents to match Switzerland’s expectations and planning the Alpine route.
You can read more about the Switzerland destination and the service fees or fill in the application form.
Note: the information here is as of the publication date. The embassy’s appointment rules and the fees can change, so look at the official page once more before you apply.
