How to get a Switzerland visa from Burundi
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Burundian passport holders travelling to Switzerland.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to Switzerland.
Medical visa
Processing time2 weeks
Validity90 days
Student visa
Processing time2 weeks
Validityvariable
Tourist visa
Processing time2 weeks
Validity90 days
Application requirements
Documents Burundian applicants need to provide.
- A Burundian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
- Duly completed and signed visa application form.
- If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
- Passport-size photographs (3.5 x 4.5cm) in white background.
- Travel document.
- Proof of financial support.
- Proof of accommodation.
- Copy of return flight ticket.
- Documentation showing applicant’s ties to home country, e.g. verification from applicant’s employer.
- Travel insurance with a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance to cover entire duration of stay.
- Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
- Copy of travel itinerary.
Visa type details
Tourist visa
- Burundians intending to travel to Switzerland for tourism can apply for the Swiss tourist visa.
- Switzerland is part of the Schengen countries, therefore visitors can apply for a Schengen visa.
- This visa is valid for 90 days and is extendable to 180 days.
- Travelers are required to provide proof of travel medical insurance confirmation of a minimum of 30,000 euros.
- This insurance must have coverage within Switzerland and the entire Schengen area.
- Round trip flight/travel reservations or other proof of intended transport and complete itinerary of your visit to Switzerland must be provided.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay in Switzerland must be provided. A foreign national who wants to enter and reside in the territory of Switzerland must be able to attest to having at least 100 CHF for each day of their stay in Switzerland.
- There are no currency restrictions in and out of Switzerland. Although officers may question you if you have over 10,000 Swiss Francs (CHF) in possession.
- Although safety standards are excellent, visitors need to be aware of public safety warnings.
- Mountain rescues can be extremely expensive and we recommend that you have sufficient insurance coverage that includes coverage for mountain search and rescue.
- You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.
- Most major credit cards are widely accepted, but many vendors will only accept chip-and-PIN cards.
- If you plan to drive on motorways in Switzerland you must purchase a toll sticker (vignette), which must be affixed to the car’s windshield.
- These are available online, at gas stations, and at border crossings. Rental cars usually have a vignette already; be sure to check with your car rental agency.
- Failure to comply with traffic rules can result in large fines.
Student visa
- The Swiss student visa is for Burundians looking to study in Switzerland for three months or longer.
- There are two types of Swiss student visa:
- Type C visa – for short courses (summer schools, language schools) that last only for three months.
- Type D visa – for courses that last longer than three months.
- Before you can be granted a visa, you must provide the following documents during visa application:
- Letter of acceptance issued by a Swiss university or any learning institution.
- Proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees (original and copy).
- Letter from the institution in case all expenses for the study will be covered by scholarship or loan.
- Letter of motivation.
- If you apply for a Type D visa and plan to stay in Switzerland longer than three months, you will have to arrange to get your residence permit from the cantonal migration offices within 14 days after your arrival.
- Proof of sufficient financial means to cover your living costs in Switzerland for the duration of schooling is required. Students are required to provide evidence of having 21,000 CHF at the beginning of each year of study.
- International students can take up part-time work for up to 15 hours a week during the semester and they can work full-time during holidays. But you have to have lived in Switzerland for six months before you can take a job as a student.
- It is better to schedule the appointment for a visa interview as early as 6 months before your planned day of travel to Switzerland, but no later than ten weeks before.
- There are no specific language (including Switzerland official languages Romansh) requirements for a study visa for Switzerland. On the other hand, universities will require proof of language proficiency when you apply.
- In some cases, the embassy will want to evaluate your language knowledge based on a short interview at the consulate, or even an oral and written test.
- Unless the application form and all required documents are in French, German or English, you will need a certified translation of all documents into one of these languages.
Medical visa
- The Swiss medical visa allows Burundians to visit Switzerland for medical treatment.
- A medical report from your local doctor should be provided. The report should include your diagnosis and the reason the treatment is best gotten in Switzerland.
- The date of your appointment and your medical situation should be stated in the attestation from the hospital in Switzerland.
- If you have a pre-existing health condition, you should buy medical travel insurance before visiting Switzerland. You must tell the insurance company about any pre-existing health conditions you have, to make sure you can get the cover you need.
- You may need a personal license to take controlled/prescribed medicines from Burundi to Switzerland.
- You are also required to have a valid travel health insurance.
- This insurance must cover the following:
- Services provided by doctors.
- Hospital costs.
- Accidents.
- Medical transport and rescue.
- If you are employed, a letter from your employer is required. Your employer should state in the letter that he is aware of your leave. Your position and how long you have been employed in the company should be clearly stated.
- For retirees, a document showing pension statements and other forms of financial support should be provided.
- Payment receipt of medical fees should be tendered during the visa application process.
- Minors must ensure they possess the original copy of their birth certificate. If they are traveling alone or with one of their parents, a document of consent which is signed by both parents of the minor should be provided.
- At the end of your treatment, you are expected to leave the country.
Where to apply
Switzerland embassy & visa application centers in Burundi.
Bujumbura
AddressSwiss cooperation office of the Swiss embassy and consular section Bujumbura --- Bureau de la Coopération Suisse et Agence consulaire Av. Patrice Lumumba 18 Bujumbura Burundi
Phone+41 58 4 62 18 36 +257 222 449 32 +257 222 522 63
Email-
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Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to travel to Switzerland
Yes. A valid Schengen visa is required for Burundians to travel to Switzerland.
Is there another name for Switzerland
The European nation known as Switzerland in English has several different names in the country's four official languages: die Schweiz (German), Suisse (French), Svizzera (Italian), and Svizra (Romansch). Switzerland's official name is Swiss Confederation or Schweizerische Eidgenossenschaft in German.
Which is the best month to visit Switzerland
The best time to visit Switzerland is during the shoulder seasons, between April and June, and September to October, when the weather is at its best, and there aren't too many tourists.
What is the official currency of Switzerland
The official money of Switzerland is called the Swiss Franc.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest Switzerland visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.