Switzerland visa requirements for Kenyans

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Kenyans visiting Switzerland

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


  • A Kenyan 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.

Switzerland Visa for Kenyans

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 working days 90 days
Business visa 15 working days 90 days
Medical visa 15 working days 90 days
Student visa 15 working days More than 90 days
Official visa 15 working days 90 days
Transit visa 15 working days 24 hours

General Requirements for Switzerland Visa


  • A Kenyan 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.
Switzerland Tourist visa Switzerland Business visa Switzerland Medical visa Switzerland Student visa Switzerland Official visa Switzerland Transit visa

Switzerland Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Swiss tourist visa is for Kenyans traveling to Switzerland for tourism.
  • The Switzerland tourist, visit or business visas all fall under Category C Visa. They are all Schengen short-stay visas.
  • A short-stay visa could allow for single entry, double entry or multiple entries. This is dependent on the type of visa you applied for and your reasons for applying.
  • The short-term Swiss Schengen tourist visa is valid for 90 days.
  • The currency used in Switzerland is the Swiss Franc (CHF).
  • 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 or 92.34 euros to spend each day of their stay in Switzerland.
  • Travelers backpacking through Switzerland should budget at least 70-108 CHF (60-100 euros) per day.
  • The mid-range budget for daily spending in Switzerland is 230-270 CHF (211-247 Euros) while the luxury budget is 490+ CHF (450+ Euros).
  • Retired applicants are required to bring their pension statements from the last six months.
  • If someone else is paying for your trip to Switzerland, you will need to submit the person's bank statements, salary slips and a copy of their passport. Yow will also need a signed letter from your sponsor stating their intention to sponsor your trip and stay in Switzerland.
  • Most visitors to Switzerland prefer coming in in the summer season, from May to September (although in the mountains, temperatures don’t start warming up until June). July and August have the warmest temperatures, with snow-free hiking trails and longer days that are both excellent for tourist exploration.
  • Switzerland is one of the safest countries in the world. The country has really low levels of reported violent crime.
  • If you’re traveling in the mountains, it is nice to keep an eye on weather reports and forecasts. This is because the weather can be unpredictable and at times very extreme.
  • Vaccinations for the following are recommended for travel to Switzerland:
    • Hepatitis A
    • Hepatitis B
    • Rabies
    • Meningitis  
    • Polio
    • Measles
    • mumps and rubella (MMR)
    • Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis)
    • chickenpox
    • shingles
    • pneumonia.

Switzerland Business Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Swiss business visa is for business-oriented Kenyans visiting Switzerland to improve business relationships with partner companies.
  • To avoid delay when submitting your application form, you are advised to hold the equivalent of 60 euros in your country's currency.
  • If you are to submit the application to the Switzerland embassy in Kenya, you should hold the equivalent of the application fee in Kenyan Shilling.
  • The business climate in Switzerland is very formal and conservative and companies are structured in the traditional vertical manner.
  • Time is a valuable asset in Switzerland, so it’s important to show it some respect when doing business there.
  • When attending business meetings, leave early to allow yourself ample time to get to where you’re going on time.
  • Ideally, you should plan on arriving at any meeting or event 10-15 minutes ahead of schedule.
  • As professional as Swiss businessmen and women are in their appearance, they are equally so when it comes to how they address others. You should never call someone by their first name unless you have been specifically asked to do so.
  • Using a colleague’s surname shows formality and respect – two things that are held in high regard in Switzerland business settings.
  • During negotiations, patience is required. Discussions are very precise, cautious and sometimes tend to be a little gloomy. Decision-making is slow and methodical. The Swiss are considered hard but fair bargainers.
  • The following documents are required of business travelers to Switzerland:
    • An invitation letter from the Swiss company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
    • A certificate from your employer stating/allowing your business travel.
    • If there were previous trade relations between the two companies, proof of such events must be provided.
    • Business bank statement for the latest 6 months.
    • Memorandum and Article of Association in original certified copy (registered with joint-stock companies)
    • Trade License (first issued and present renewal), and
    • Proprietorship/Partnership documents
  • Regarding the applicant’s expenses during stay in the Schengen zone, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Switzerland Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The medical visa allows Kenyans visiting Switzerland to receive medical treatment while they are in the country.
  • 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 Kenya to Switzerland.
  • You are required to have 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 those retired, a document showing pension statement 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.

Switzerland Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Kenyans looking to study in Switzerland are eligible for the Swiss student visa.
  • You have to decide what you want to study before starting your student visa application process. After being accepted at a Swiss university, you’ll get an acceptance letter required for visa application.
  • Switzerland recognizes two types of 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.
  • 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 for coverage of living costs in Switzerland for the duration of schooling is required. Students are required to provide evidence of having 21,000 CHF or 19,200 EUR at the beginning of each year of studies.
  • 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.
  • The following documents must be provided during the visa application:
    • Passport with a validity of at least three months beyond the planned stay.
    • Letter of acceptance issued by a Swiss university.
    • 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.

Switzerland Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The official visa is for government officials who are visiting Switzerland to foster the relationship between the Kenyan and Swiss governments.
  • Diplomatic note from the Kenyan government is required. The note should contain your position in government, duration, and purpose of your visit to the country.
  • A copy of the original invitation letter should be provided.
  • Applicants of this Swiss visa are Heads of State, Consular officers, ministers, and African Union representatives.
  • Asides Head of States, if your purpose of visiting the Switzerland is non-official, the Swiss visa appointment will not be issued to you.
  • If you are traveling with a minor, the original copy of the minor’s birth certificate should be presented during the Swiss visa application process.
  • You can attend conferences and meetings while you are in the country.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to take up a course of study or be paid for services they render in the country.
  • Diplomats cannot receive payment for the services they render in the country.
  • A valid means of identification of the applicant is mandatory.

Switzerland Transit Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • With this visa, Kenyans can make stopovers in Switzerland.
  • This visa allows foreigners to transit through the country to their destination country.
  • Flight ticket to the destination country is required.
  • You are required to have the visa of your destination country.
  • Holders of this visa are not allowed to work or study while they are in the country.
  • Receipt of payment of Switzerland visa application fees are required.
  • Minors should ensure they have an unabridged original copy of their birth certificate.
  • An extension to this visa cannot be granted.

Switzerland Visa Fees

Visa Type

Sub Types

Visa Fees

Tourist visa

160.00 (USD)

Business visa

160.00 (USD)

Medical visa

160.00 (USD)

Student visa

160.00 (USD)

Official visa

160.00 (USD)

Transit visa

160.00 (USD)

Switzerland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Kenya

Location

Address

Nairobi

Rosslyn Green Estate, Rosslyn Green Drive, off Red Hill Road, Nairobi, Kenya.

https://www.eda.admin.ch/Kenya

nairobi@eda.admin.ch

+254 73 069 4000

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take to get a Switzerland visa?
The processing time for a Switzerland visa is 15 days. There is a possibility of delays so travelers are advised to start their application well in time.
How can I get Swiss citizenship?
If you are a non-EU citizen, you can apply for a Swiss permanent residence permit after having lived in the country for 10 years.
Can I buy a house in Switzerland?

It might be possible to do so, but it is quite hard. Switzerland has a restriction policy for foreigners buying properties in the country.

Why is Switzerland considered a tax haven?

Switzerland is considered a tax haven because resident individuals of Switzerland are taxed on their worldwide income, regardless of the source of the income.

What is the best city to visit in Switzerland?

The best city to visit in Switzerland is probably Geneva.

I don't know anyone there and would like to tour is it possible Also since English language is not common how do you communicate as a tourist I would also like to take my family along How much money do I need for a month?
If I need to make an appointment how do I do this. I have been unable to get anyone to respond to my telephone calls?
I need a visa to Switzerland?
Daniel Musungu Weremba

3 years ago

Can i apply a visa for next week meeting

Can i use Premium service and apply and get a visa to Switzerland on the same day?
Dear sir/madam; my question is does the embassy offer job permit visa for normal skilled workers e.g waiters,drivers,room attendants and all that?
Can i renew my visa while am not in my country which i applied the visa from?
Hello, am Aaron am requesting about the requirements for travel Visa in Swiss. Thankyou?
I plan to travel to Geneva on a WHO invitation for a 3 day meeting in mid October 2022. Which type of visa should I be applying for??
How can I get a Visa to Switzerland?
Can I get a Visa to Switzerland?
What is email address to Visa My email Is museeeavali4#gmail like.com?
My daughter has been admitted to BHMC. I Wish to accompany her for a week and I need a visa?
How can i get Switzerland work permit visa?
Is the medical insurance of 30,000 a must have to travel to Swiss from Kenya?
Do you offer a worker’s visa??