Switzerland is without a doubt one of the most enthralling destinations on the planet for US Green Card holders, not only for them, it’s dream land for most of the travelers. As a result, there is a significant demand for a visa to Switzerland. So, if you are trying to visit this European country, then here is the perfect guide regarding Switzerland Schengen visa for US Green card holders.
Unfortunately, Switzerland had one of the highest visa denial rates quite high. This guide will help you in understanding the process of Switzerland Schengen visa for US green card holders, as well as you will learn about Switzerland visa application procedure, Switzerland visa types, requirements, cost and many more things.
We are Schengen visa experts, we help you to get your Switzerland visa easily if you find any difficulties, take consultation from us by filling the form just by clicking below link.
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Who can apply for a Switzerland Schengen Visa from the United States?
You can apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa from US, in these situations which is listed below:
- People who legally live in the US (Green Card holders, F1 (I-20), H1B, G1, J1 holders, etc.) can apply. Your legal residence in the US must last for at least three months after you return from Switzerland.
- If Switzerland is the only country in Europe, which you are going to visit.
- If you are going to more than one Schengen country, and planning to spend more time in Switzerland.
- If you want to spend the same number of days in more than one Schengen country, And you have planned to enter through Switzerland the first time.
- In past, If you have been denied visa-free to enter Switzerland or any other Schengen countries being a US citizen.
Do I Need Switzerland Schengen visa as a US Citizen?
No. If you are US citizen, Then you don’t need Switzerland Schengen visa. Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Area. The European Union has an agreement with the US which enables visa-free travel for US citizens throughout the EU, including Switzerland which permits US tourists to stay for up to 90 days during a 180-day period. If you want to stay longer, you will have to apply for a long-stay visa to visit Switzerland.
Do US Green Card holders need Switzerland Schengen visa?
If you are not a U.S. citizen or hold a Green Card, you will have to get a Schengen visa from the U.S. to to visit Switzerland or other Schengen countries, If you are from a country that doesn’t have visa-free travel agreements with Schengen countries.
For example: If you hold India passport, then you should apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from US, because India has not a visa liberalization agreement with the EU.
ETIAS Switzerland for US Citizen
If you intend to travel from the United States to Switzerland, you must be aware of ETIAS because from 2025 onwards, all US citizens need to register ETIAS to get into Switzerland or any other Schengen countries which is mandatory.
With ETIAS, US citizens can travel to Switzerland for up to 90 days within180-day period which is short stays such as tourism, business, and short-term study. Your US passport must be valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen Area.
If US citizens want to stay more than 90 days, then they need to apply for visa.
How to apply for a Switzerland Schengen visa for US as a green card holder?
- Decide your visa type to travel to Switzerland based on your purpose
- Check where to apply for a Switzerland visa in the US
- Start collecting all you required documents for your Swiss visa
- Fill the Switzerland Schengen visa application form with correct details
- Book an appointment for your visa
- Attend Your Visa Appointment
- Wait for visa feedback
Switzerland Schengen Visa Types
- Switzerland Transit Visa : If you want to leave the Schengen Area and fly into a Switzerland airport to get where you’re going, then you need to have Swiss Transit visa
- Switzerland Tourist Visa : if you are planning to visit Switzerland for vacation or to see the sight then you need to apply for Tourist visa.
- Switzerland Visitor visa : if you are planning to visit Switzerland to meet your friends and family members who are residing in Switzerland, then you need to have visitor visa.
- Switzerland Business visa : People who are going to Switzerland for business purpose, then they must get a business visa.
- Switzerland Diplomat visa : If you are government official or any national groups, and planning to visit official meetings, then you need to have Diplomat visa.
- Switzerland Medical visa : If you are travelling to Switzerland for any medical treatment reasons, then you need to have medical visa.
- Switzerland Student Visa: Those who are planning to study in Switzerland, they need to have a Swiss student visa.
- Switzerland visa for Sports, Cultural or Film Crew : If you are planning to visit Switzerland for attending a sports event, cultural events as participants or as audience as well as for filming a movie, Then you must obtain a sports visa / cultural visa.
- Switzerland Spouse Visa : If you have planned to visit Switzerland to join your spouse for any event or to get together who either is a citizen or has a work permit for.
What are the Switzerland Schengen Visa Requirements for US Green Card holders?
Here are the important required documents which are mandatory to get your Switzerland Schengen visa:
1. Printed Schengen visa application form:
filled out completely and signed by the candidate. Kindly complete and print out your online application. Check out the How to fill the application form for Schengen visa here.
2. Two recent identical passport photos:
Please check out the Schengen visa photo specifications here. Passport photos of US standard size will also be allowed. Digital files and photocopies will not be accepted.
3. Original valid passport or travel document:
You must have valid passport which must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended stay. And passport should issued within the last ten years, and also should contain at least two blank visa pages.
4. Copy of valid passport or travel document:
You need to provide copy of your passport or travel document.
5. Notarized copy of proof of residency in the USA:
You need to provide proof your valid permanent resident card or green card.
6. Copies of previous Schengen visas:
You need to submit copies of your previous Schengen visas (if any), which has been issued within the past 5 years.
7. Flight Itinerary:
You need to submit copy of your round trip flight reservation. Get more information regarding your Flight Itinerary for your Schengen visa here
8. Proof of Accommodation:
You need to show the copy of your accommodation like hotel bookings for each night spent in a Schengen nation.
9. Travel Insurance:
You need to provide proof of travel insurance which covers international coverage of at least USD 40,000.
10. Proof of sufficient financial resources:
You need to submit last 3 months bank statements which must include your full name and address. A minimum of $100 each day is required to cover expenses.
11. A letter from your employer:
You need to provide a recent letter from your employer or current company which should include your position and salary.
12. Cover Letter:
13. Civil status proof:
In your cover letter which states that your purpose of visit to Switzerland. It also includes how long you plan to stay, when you will be going, when you will be back, and the names of any people who will be travelling with you. Get more information on the Cover letter for Switzerland visa here.
You need to submit your marital status such as marriage certificate.
14. Sponsorship letter:
You need to submit Sponsor letter If anybody sponsoring your trip to the Schengen Zone.
15. Proof of subsistence:
Need to submit bank account transaction information over the last three months, credit card and turnover printouts wage letter from the employer.
16. Proof of Income:
Depending on your employment or student status, you will have to provide the required documents to support your Swiss Schengen visa application:
- if you are an employee:
- Most recent pay stub.
- Latest 6 month your bank statements.
- A letter from your current employer or a company by stating your job title, start date and your yearly income and approved time off.
- ITR (Income Tax return) Certificate.
- For self-employed:
- Copy of your company / business license;
- Proof of previous economic activity.
- Latest 6 month bank statement of your company
- company Income Tax return Certificate.
- For retired:
- proof of pension benefits or other regular and sufficient income
- Or Latest 6 month bank statement
- Financial dependent:
- Last joint Income Tax Return or joint bank statements
- Sponsorship Letter
- if you are minor:
- birth certificate and written consent of your parent / guardian
- Written permission from parents or guardians, notarized, to travel abroad.
- Parents or guardians sign the Belgium Schengen visa application form.
- One parent must be there, and the other parent must write permission for the application to be made in his or her place.
- If you are a Student or Researchers
- A certificate from the receiving institution / University by attesting to the duration and intent of the visit Belgium
- Certificate from Home institution / University on enrolment.
- If you are not staying in a hotel, then confirm your accommodations by providing the name, address, and phone number of the lodging facility.
- a letter which should states that all costs are covered, if applicable.
15. Supporting documents
- If you are visiting Family or Friends in Belgium
- Invitation letter: Invite letter from a friend or family member, along with a copy of their ID or residency permit. If the person is related to you, then you need include legal proof of family ties, such as birth certificates.
- Proof of confirmed accommodation: If you are not staying at any hotel or any hostel, then you need to submit name, address, and phone number of where you are going to live.
- If you are visiting for business purpose:
- A letter of invitation from the business partner
- reference letter proof from your current employer
- If you are not staying in a hotel, then confirm your accommodations by providing the name, address, and phone number of the lodging facility.
- a letter confirming that all costs are covered, if applicable.
Flight Itinerary or Flight Reservation for Switzerland Schengen Visa for US Green Card holders.
Many of you get censused, if the Travel Itinerary and the flight itinerary are the same. No, it is not. If you need your flight itinerary. We will help you out.
When you plan to travel to the Switzerland or any Schengen Area, you need to apply for a Schengen Visa. To get your visa you must show a flight itinerary or Flight reservations of your destination. We will advice you take dummy flight reservations rather than taking fully paid flight tickets until and unless your visa gets approval. Once your Swiss visa is approved then you can make full payment and take actual flight tickets.
For customers who don’t have a plane ticket yet, we ask them to use the FlightGen app to make a trip itinerary. For cover letters, we suggest the BlinkDocs cover letter app.
- Arrival and departure from the Schengen area
- Departure and arrival to the United States of America
You can know more about flight itinerary for Switzerland Schengen visa.
Travel Insurance for Switzerland Schengen Visa for US Green Card holders.
If you need a Schengen Visa for Switzerland, you must have travel insurance. If you are US citizen, you do not need a visa to enter Switzerland, and travel insurance is optional but we strongly advise you to take travel health insurance because medical costs for tourists can be considerable, especially if you need to pay for prescriptions.
our travel Insurance should cover minimum coverage of EUR 30000 in medical care or emergency hospital stays. It must apply for all other Schengen countries. It should also cover fees associated with returning someone home for medical reasons.
If you plan to stay in Switzerland for a long time such as for work or education purpose, then you should get health insurance instead of travel insurance. then you should get health insurance instead of travel insurance.
Your insurance must also cover other countries that you plan to visit (if any) . Know more about Travel Health insurance for Switzerland Schengen visa here.
Cover Letter for Switzerland Schengen Visa for US Green Card holders.
A cover letter for a Schengen visa is kind of personal statement or documents which explains the consulate / embassy officials that purpose of your visit to the Switzerland or any Schengen area. It will give you a chance to explain in more detail why and how you want to travel to Switzerland or any of the Schengen countries.
This is a formal document where you have to explain your true goals, personal details, travel plans, length of stay, ties to your home country, finances, and other things.
We will help you to create your cover letter. You just have to do is click the below link and fill the form, once we get your query, we will be get back to you shortly.
Know more about cover letter for Switzerland Schengen visa.
Where Should I Apply for Switzerland Schengen visa as a US Green card holder?
Only those with legal residency status in the United States can apply for visas at Swiss representations in the United States. My Swiss visa application should be submitted to
- Embassy of Switzerland in Washington,
- Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta
- Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
- Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco
- Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago
Where to Set up an appointment for Switzerland Schengen Visa for US Green card holder ?
If you are US Green Card holder, You must need Swiss visa to visit Switzerland. For that you need to set up visa appointment. Based on your jurisdiction, you can book your appointment at respective embassy or consulate which are located in
- Embassy of Switzerland in Washington,
- Consulate General of Switzerland in Atlanta
- Consulate General of Switzerland in New York
- Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco
- Consulate General of the Republic of Lithuania in Chicago
You need to know more regarding:
- How to apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from Washington
- How to apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from Atlanta
- How to apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from New York
- How to apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from San Francisco
- How to apply for Switzerland Schengen visa from Chicago
When Should the US Green Card Holders can apply for Switzerland Schengen Visa?
Generally, The processing time will be 10 to 15 calendar days to get your Swiss visa from US. But some extreme cases,
Remember that a few things can cause the processing time for a visa to be delayed. These consist of:
- Missing documents
- An incomplete/incorrect visa application form
- A sudden demand for visas
- Visa policy changes, etc.
So we strongly advice you to apply for the Switzerland Schengen visa early, at the earliest 6 months before the intended journey.
What is the Processing time for Switzerland Schengen Visa from US?
Generally, The processing time for Switzerland Schengen visa will take up to 10 to 15 calendar days. In some cases like, when the embassy or consulates receives lots of application particular season, the time may extended up to 30 to 45 days.
In some exceptional cases, it might extended up to 60 days based on the situation.
As a US Green card holder, What Should I do If my Swiss visa denied?
You can appeal within 30 days of receiving it, against a decision . Your appeal must be sent to the Federal Administrative Court.
You need to explain the reasons for your appeal and provide any evidence you have. You will have to include a copy of the decision that you are appealing against in one of the three official languages (German, French, or Italian). The deadline for filing an appeal is 30 days. Appeals will be reviewed if they are submitted to the appropriate authorities, a Swiss post office, a Swiss embassy or consulate within the 30-day period. Appeals received after the deadline will not be considered.
Switzerland Schengen Visa Cost for US Green Card Holders Easily ?
The Cost for a applying for a Switzerland Schengen visa from United States are:
- Cost for Adults is – 80 EUR
- For kids under 6 years is – FREE
- For kids aged between 6 to 11 years is – 40 EUR
- Spouses and children of Swiss and EU/EFTA nationals; CERN and UN personnel (official trips only); students who study in Switzerland for only up to 90 days – FREE
- Airport Transit Visa – 80 EUR
- Citizens of Azerbaijan, Bosnia, Armenia and Herzegovina, Georgia, Moldova, Serbia and Ukraine – 35 EUR
- For US residents holding a Gambia passport is – 120 EUR.
How to track status of my application, if I applied from US?
To get more information regarding status of your application for Switzerland visa, you need to contact the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) via email, phone, or mail. Check the contact details here.
What are the Payment Options available for US Green Card Holder to get Swiss Visa?
When registering the visa application, the fee can be paid through online with a credit card.
If the visa application is mailed, then the fee can be paid through money order (made payable to the competent Consulate General or the Embassy of Switzerland).
If a visa appointment has been scheduled for Switzerland in person at the respective embassy or consulate to register biometric data, payment for the cost can be made at the visa counter with cash, money orders, Mastercard, or Visacard.
Visas are provided free of charge to family members of EU/EFTA nationals.