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How to get a Switzerland visa from Sierra Leone
Visa types, fees, processing times and application requirements for Sierra Leonean passport holders travelling to Switzerland.
Visa types & fees
3 visa options for travelling to Switzerland.
Tourist visa
CategorySchengen short-stay visa
Processing timeThree weeks
Validity90 days
Transit visa
Processing timeThree weeks
Validity24 hours
Visitor Visa
CategorySchengen long-stay visa
Processing timeThree weeks
Validity1-5 years
Application requirements
Documents Sierra Leonean applicants need to provide.
- A duly completed and signed Switzerland Schengen visa.
- A valid passport issued within the last 10 years.
- Two blank pages of the passport for visa stamps.
- Two passport-sized photos with a light background.
- Copies of the applicant's previous visas (if any).
- A copy of your return ticket reservation.
- Travel visa insurance confirmation of a minimum of € 30,000 coverage within Sierra Leone and the entire Schengen area.
- Proof of sufficient financial means for the period of stay.
- A cover letter stating the purpose of your visit to Switzerland.
- Proof of accommodation for your entire stay in Switzerland.
- Applicants' flight ticket reservations.
- Proof of civil status in Sierra Leone.
Visa type details
Schengen short-stay visa
- The Schengen short-stay visa is issued to travelers who want to visit Switzerland for tourism, business, family visitation or any other short term purpose.
- The applicant's reason for travel must be clearly stated on the visa stamped in the applicant's visa.
- Application forms should be filled correctly and with all honesty.
- You can also fill the Switzerland Schengen Visa application form electronically and then print a hard-copy.
- Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the return date.
- When you submit your application, your fingerprints will be taken and these will remain valid for 5 years.
- Some applicants such as children under the age of 12 do not need to have their fingerprints taken.
- Travelers on this visa are expected to have at least €14 to spend per day.
- Applicants are expected to be physically present for submission of the signed application form to the appropriate embassy in Sierra Leone.
- For accommodation, you can book hotels online.
- There should be an invitation letter from the applicant's family or friends in Switzerland with their address and phone number in case the applicant would be hosted by them.
- For business applicants, they are to submit an invitation letter from the Swiss company they will be visiting and a detailed address accompanied by the dates of their visit.
- The employer or the partner company must state coverage of the applicant’s expenses for the duration of stay in Switzerland on the letter of invitation.
- There should be a detailed itinerary of the applicant's travel and a return ticket to Sierra Leone at the end of the applicant's stay.
Schengen long-stay visa
- This visa is issued to foreigners who want to stay in Switzerland for a period longer than 90 days.
- This visa is referred to as the Type-D Schengen visa or the National visa.
- This visa is issued to foreigners for purposes such as joining a spouse/family member, taking up a job, studying and conducting research.
- To be issued this visa, your reasons must be clearly stated and will be duly indicated on your visa.
- The national visa grants entry to Switzerland on the basis that you will be applying for a residence permit.
- The national visa allows you to enter Switzerland as a potential resident and stay while you apply for residency.
- You are expected to convert your visa into a residence permit within three months of arriving in Switzerland.
- Your visa can only be converted into the corresponding type of residence permit (a visa for work must be converted into a working residence permit).
- As a foreign national, you are not permitted to work in Switzerland unless this was expressly stated when applying for a visa.
- Applicants are required to submit a police report stating that they have no criminal record in Sierra Leone.
Transit visa
- The transit visa for Switzerland is referred to as the Airport Transit Visa (ATV).
- An Airport Transit Visa (ATV) is required to be able to go through any Schengen state.
- The ATV type should be the multiple ATV that authorizes several transits through Schengen states.
- The visa application form for the Schengen visa should be electronically filled after which the hard copy of the filled form should be printed.
- Fingerprints are required for a Schengen Visa so the applicant has to be physically present at the embassy during the application.
- A passport with a validity of at least three months beyond the return date should be submitted alongside the duly completed visa application form.
- There should be two copies of the passport photo page having the address of the applicant.
- Two recently taken passport photos should also be attached.
- Applicants are advised to ensure that they bring along all the required documents to the embassy as incomplete documentation could lead to delay or visa denial.
- On arrival at the country of transit, you are expected to remain in the international zone of the airport until you are connected to your final destination.
Where to apply
Switzerland embassy & visa application centers in Sierra Leone.
Freetown
AddressSwiss Honorary Consulate General. Freetown Cold Storage Co Ltd George Brook P.O. Box 99, Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Phone(+232) 22 235 056, (+232) 22 235 024
Email[email protected]
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Frequently asked questions
What are the best cities to live in Switzerland
Tourists will enjoy their time in Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Wintherthur, Lausanne and Basel.
How safe is Switzerland to travel to
Switzerland is known to be one of the safest countries throughout Europe. No place, however, is completely safe or crime-free. Staying safe while traveling should be a priority no matter where a traveler is going.
What currency is used in Switzerland
The Swiss Franc (CHF) is the official currency of Switzerland (and Liechtenstein). Note that the EURO is a foreign currency in Switzerland and it's best to get it changed to the Franc if you have the Euro in your possession.
Visa fees and rules change often. Confirm the latest Switzerland visa
requirements with an official embassy or consulate before booking travel.