Switzerland visa requirements for Algerians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Algerians visiting Switzerland

Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to apply for a Swiss Visa.

  • One copy of the completed visa application form for each applicant. It should be completed online or in writing in capital letters with a blue or black pen.
  • Passport with two entirely blank pages issued within the last ten years. The passport must be valid three months after departing Switzerland.
  • One copy of the main page of the passport with the applicant’s photograph.
  • Copies of previous Schengen visas, if available.
  • Two recent identity photographs taken with a white background and with the face uncovered.
  • Proof of payment of visa application fee.
  • Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid for all Schengen states for the total duration of the intended stay. The insurance must take care of accidents or sicknesses.
  • Confirmed reservation of a hotel in Switzerland and complete itinerary of the trip.
  • Banking history from the previous 6 months before visa application.

Switzerland Visa for Algerians

Facts about Switzerland

Switzerland is a top destination for tourists and business people alike. Banking and finance are major industries in the country and it is little wonder the country has the highest nominal wealth per adult in the world. Tourism is no way abandoned in the country. There are a lot of attractions tourists can visit when they are in the country. Ski resorts and hiking trails are aplenty in the country. The country’s landscape is a sight to behold.

An average of 2.2 million visitors arrives in the country monthly to appreciate the beautiful landscape of the country.

In the city of Ticino, which is the Italian-speaking section of Switzerland, it is a crime to veil ones the face in public places. Doing so could attract a fine between the range of CHF100 to CHF10,000.

The best time to travel to Switzerland is between October to March. There are four main languages which are French, German, Italian and Romansh.

Types of Switzerland Visa

Types of Visa Processing Time Duration of Stay
Tourist visa 15 days 90 days
Business visa 15 days 90 days
Official visa 15 days 90 days
Medical visa 15 days 90 days
Student visa 15 days More than 90 days
Work visa 15 days More than 90 days
Transit visa within 3 days 24 hours

General Requirements for Switzerland Visa

  • One copy of the completed visa application form for each applicant. It should be completed online or in writing in capital letters with a blue or black pen.
  • Passport with two entirely blank pages issued within the last ten years. The passport must be valid three months after departing Switzerland.
  • One copy of the main page of the passport with the applicant’s photograph.
  • Copies of previous Schengen visas, if available.
  • Two recent identity photographs taken with a white background and with the face uncovered.
  • Proof of payment of visa application fee.
  • Travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000 valid for all Schengen states for the total duration of the intended stay. The insurance must take care of accidents or sicknesses.
  • Confirmed reservation of a hotel in Switzerland and complete itinerary of the trip.
  • Banking history from the previous 6 months before visa application.
Switzerland Tourist visa Switzerland Business visa Switzerland Official visa Switzerland Medical visa Switzerland Student visa Switzerland Work visa Switzerland Transit visa

Switzerland Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners who are traveling to Switzerland with the intention of relaxing and recreating.
  • Those who have the intention of visiting a friend or relative who is a permanent resident of Switzerland are eligible for this visa.
  • An invitation letter from the host in should be provided. The letter must state if the host will be financially responsible for the applicant while he/she is residing in the country.
  • You are required to present a copy of the family record which indicates the applicant’s current family situation.
  • Applicants must provide proof of sufficient economic resources for the duration of their stay in Switzerland.
  • All applicants who are employed are required to provide a copy of their recent employment contract.
  • Social security affiliation certificate or annual salary declaration of the previous year should be provided.
  • Foreigners who are retired should possess the original and photocopy of their certificate of withdrawal or bank statement.
  • Those who are unemployed must provide proof of their current financial resources.
  • Minors should ensure that their visa application is signed by both their parents. Authorization to leave Algeria should be provided.
  • If the guardianship does not belong to the father, authorization, and proof of guardianship should be provided.
  • Before applying for the visa at the Embassy, you must be able to present all the required documents.
  • The Swiss Embassy may request additional documents and invite the candidate for a personal interview.

Switzerland Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Switzerland business visa is for foreign nationals who have the intention of engaging in business activities while they are in the country.
  • This visa allows foreign business travelers to attend trade fairs, conferences, and congresses that relate to their professional activity.
  • You are required to provide an official invitation from your business partners in Switzerland stating the nature of the business to be carried out in the country.
  • A cover letter which states in details the reason for your visit to Switzerland must be provided. The business letter must state who will e responsible for your expenses in the country.
  • Invoices and contracts represent proof of a previous commercial and industrial relationship between the companies is required.
  • A valid travel health insurance is required from all business travelers traveling to Switzerland.
  • Children between the ages of 6 to 12 years are required to pay a fee of €35 while adults are expected to pay €60.
  • Non-Algerians should ensure they provide a copy of their valid Algerian stay permit which remains valid three months after leaving the country.
  • All original documents requested by the Swiss Embassy must be accompanied by a photocopy of each document.
  • Only complete files will be accepted by the Swiss Embassy. Incomplete applications will be rejected.
  • Documents that are in Arabic must be accompanied by their translation in French.
  • Return tickets which show that the applicant has the incentive of returning to his/her country should be provided.
  • Proof of employment should be provided by the applicant’s who are employed in their home country.

Switzerland Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners visiting Switzerland for official purposes.
  • A Ministry note issued by the Swiss government indicating the program of mission(s) and management of the applicant must be provided.
  • If the reason for your trip to Switzerland is unofficial, you may not be granted this visa type.
  • Applicants of this visa type are required to be in possession of a valid means of identification.
  • Relatives of holders of this visa can accompany them on this visa.
  • The visa application form to be submitted at the Embassy must be in either French, Arabic, German, Italian or English.
  • The fee paid by the visa applicant at the Swiss Embassy cannot be refunded after it has been received even if the application is rejected.
  • All applicants of this visa type are expected to have valid travel insurance from a recognized insurance agency. The accepted insurance policies are AXA, Alliance, MacirVie, Amana, Carama, and TALA.
  • If you will be accompanied to Switzerland by someone who is below the age of 18 years, the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be provided.
  • All documents which are in Arabic are to be accompanied by the French translation of such document.
  • You are expected to provide the original and photocopy of all the requested documents. The original documents will be returned to you while the photocopy will be withheld by the Embassy.

Switzerland Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is granted to applicants who are in Switzerland to receive medical treatment that cannot be gotten in their home country.
  • Applicants of this visa are required to present an appointment confirmed in writing with a hospital, clinic or private doctor in Switzerland.
  • A security deposit deposited with the hospital, clinic or private doctor in Switzerland must be provided.
  • The physician who has been attending to the visa applicant in Algeria must provide the applicant with a brief medical report which must be presented at the Embassy.
  • If you have previous appointments with the Swiss hospital, clinic or medical doctor, you are required to present the last bills of the appointments.
  • Previous bank statements and payslips which indicate that you are capable of paying the medical bills and other miscellaneous expenses that may arise is required.
  • Applicants of this visa who are employed are required to present proof of their employment during the visa application.
  • If the applicant is not an Algerian citizen, an Algerian residence card valid for three months after departing Switzerland should be provided.
  • Unaccompanied minors are strongly advised to have a note of consent from their parents, as well as a copy of their parents’ passport or ID card.
  • Before applying for your visa at the Swiss Embassy, you must be able to present all the required documents.
  • Having all the required documents for a visa application does not guarantee that you will be issued a visa.
  • The Swiss Embassy will only accept complete applications, incomplete applications will be rejected.

Switzerland Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The student visa is issued to foreign students who have picked an institution in Switzerland as their preferred institution for studying.
  • Students are required to provide three copies of their passport main page which carries their photograph.
  • Foreign students are also required to present four copies of their recent passport photograph. The photographs must be taken with a white background.
  • Those studying in private schools, studying a Bachelor program, Master program, MBA, MAS, LLM or Ph.D. program are not required to pay a visa fee.
  • Postdoctoral researchers engaging in research or teaching in a university or company are required to pay a fee of €60 for their visa application. This fee must be paid in cash at the time of filing the visa application.
  • All documents to be presented during the visa application must be in one of the national languages of Switzerland or English and must be provided in three copies.
  • Diplomas and certificates obtained from schools previously attended by the visa applicant may be requested by the university they have been accepted to.
  • The diplomas requested by the university must be translated into French and legalized by the Ministry of Higher Education and then by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
  • Students must provide proof of the existence of sufficient for the duration of their course or for one year, in case of a long-term course. This is estimated at approximately CHF 25,000 per school year.
  • You are required to provide three copies of a certificate of payment of taxes for the first year of study.
  • Original and three extra copies of the certificate of registration of the school or university in Switzerland you have been accepted into.
  • Students should provide three copies of their curriculum vitae (CV) translated into one of Switzerland’s official languages.
  • A situational letter where the applicant describes his/her personal and professional situations is required.
  • Foreign students are expected to provide a letter explaining the motivations and purpose of the studies envisaged, as well as future projects to be undertaken.
  • A signed letter by the visa applicant where he/she agrees to leave Switzerland at the end of his/her study program.
  • A copy of the criminal record translation, legalized at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is required.

Switzerland Work Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • This visa is issued to foreigners who have been employed by a company in Switzerland.
  • Those who have been employed to work in Switzerland require a work permit before they can start working.
  • A copy of the employment contract signed by both the employer should be provided. The name of the applicant and his/her job position must be clearly stated.
  • The employment of a foreign worker is subject to authorization from the appropriate authorities in Switzerland.
  • The prospective employer in Switzerland takes the necessary steps with the competent cantonal authorities to obtain the necessary authorization.
  • Applicants who are noncitizens of Algeria are required to provide a valid copy of their Algerian residence card.
  • A copy of your curriculum vitae (CV) is required.
  • All the documents to be submitted that are in Arabic must be accompanied by the translated copy of the document. The documents must be translated into one of the national languages of Switzerland.
  • Incomplete applications are likely to be rejected by the Swiss Embassy. Ensure you have all the required documents before applying for the visa.
  • Original and photocopy of all the required documents must be submitted at the Swiss Embassy or Consulate.
  • The visa application fee, once received by the Swiss Embassy cannot be refunded to the visa applicant.

Switzerland Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • A Switzerland transit visa is otherwise called Switzerland airport transit visa, also known as an A-visa.
  • The visa allows the carrier to transit through a Swiss airport in order to catch a connecting flight to a non-Schengen country.
  • The visa falls under the Switzerland short-stay category.
  • The holder of this Switzerland airport transit visa is not allowed to leave the Swiss airport he or she is transiting through.
  • The Swiss transit visa valid for 24 hours. It is only valid within the transit area of a Swiss airport.
  • Children under the age of 6year old are charged the transit visa-free.
  • Children aged 6-11 years traveling on Swiss Transit visa, their visa costs $39.00 while adults 12 years above charged $66.00.
  • You must wait for your connecting flight in the airport transit area, even if that means waiting in the airport overnight.
  • People are expected to apply for this Swiss airport transit visa the same way as for a regular, short-stay Swiss Visa.
  • They must apply at the Swiss representation embassy or consulate in their country. 
  • You are required to apply at least 15 days before your planned trip. It is better to apply as early as possible. However, keep in mind that the earliest you can apply is three months before your planned trip.

Switzerland Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

75.00 (CHF)

Business visa

75.00 (CHF)

Official visa

75.00 (CHF)

Medical visa

75.00 (CHF)

Student visa

75.00 (CHF)

Work visa

75.00 (CHF)

Transit visa

A-visa

66.00 (USD)

Switzerland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Algeria

Location

Address

Algiers

9 – 11, rue Slimane Amirat (ex. Ch. Dr. Luien Raynaud), El Mouradia, Algiers, Algeria.

www.eda.admin.ch/algiers

alg.vertretung@eda.admin.ch

+213 21 981 000

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to visit Switzerland?

Switzerland is an expensive country to visit. Budget travelers will need about $75 per day.

Which time of the year is the peak tourist season in Switzerland?

July and August are the peak seasons in Switzerland, where places are flocked by tourists from around the world.

Why is Switzerland so expensive?

The food is often more expensive because it is produced in Switzerland with high labor costs.

Is it safe to travel to Switzerland?

Switzerland is a very beautiful country with attractive mountains and sophisticated villages. It is also regarded as one of the safest countries in the world.

Is Switzerland a tax haven?

Yes, Switzerland is a tax haven.

Is Switzerland standard of living expensive?

The cost of living in Switzerland is rated among the highest in the world, cities like Zurich and Geneva mostly found to be the most expensive on the planet.