Switzerland visa requirements for Zambians

Travel and visa requirements

Basic Travel Requirements for Zambians visiting Switzerland

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

  • A Zambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • A duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Two(2) passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 4.5cm) taken on a white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • Travel insurance with a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance to cover the entire duration of stay.
  • Documentation confirming the purpose of travel.
  • Copy of travel itinerary.

Switzerland Visa for Zambians

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.

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

General Requirements for Switzerland Visa

  • A Zambian passport valid for at least 6 months from the intended arrival date and must have 2 blank pages for visa stamp.
  • A duly completed and signed visa application form.
  • If the applicant is a minor, the parents/legal guardians have to sign the form.
  • Two(2) passport-sized photographs (3.5 x 4.5cm) taken on a white background.
  • Travel document.
  • Proof of financial support.
  • Proof of accommodation.
  • Copy of return flight ticket.
  • Documentation showing applicant’s ties to the home country, e.g. verification from the applicant’s employer.
  • Travel insurance with a coverage of €30,000 for medical insurance to cover the 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 Tourist Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The Swiss tourist visa is available for Zambians 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 apply for and your reasons for applying.
  • The short-term Swiss Schengen tourist visa is valid for 90 days.
  • 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 your trip to Switzerland is being sponsored, you will need to submit the sponsor'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.
  • If you are 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 Zambians visiting Switzerland to improve business relationships with partner companies.
  • An invitation letter is required from the Swiss company you will be visiting and their detailed address accompanied with the dates of your visit.
  • A letter is needed 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.
  • A business bank statement for the latest 6 months is to be provided.
  • 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 are all required.
  • 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.
  • 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 Zambia, you should hold the equivalent of the application fee in Zambian Kwacha.

Switzerland Medical Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The medical visa enables Zambians to visit Switzerland in order 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 Zambia to Switzerland.
  • You are required to have travel health insurance covering hospital costs, accidents service provided by doctors and 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 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 that 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 immediately.

Switzerland Student Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • Zambians 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 will get an acceptance letter required for visa application.
  • An original Zambian passport with a validity of at least three months beyond the planned stay is required.
  • A letter of acceptance issued by a Swiss university must be provided.
  • Proof of payment of the registration and tuition fees (original and copy) is required.
  • A letter is required from the institution in case all expenses for the study will be covered by scholarship or loan.
  • A letter of motivation is also necessary.
  • 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.

Switzerland Official Visa Eligibility & Requirements

  • The official visa is for government officials who are visiting Switzerland to foster the relationship between Zambia and Swiss governments.
  • A diplomatic note from the Zambian 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 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 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)

Switzerland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in Zambia

Location

Address

Lusaka

697 Kalambo Road, North-End DBD Lusaka ZAMBIE

lusaka@honrep.ch

+ 260 211 224 580

Frequently Asked Questions

What kind of clothes do they wear in Switzerland?

The women wear long-sleeved jackets, silk aprons, and straw with ribbons dangling from the brim. Gold lace caps are also a traditional female costume. In Unterwalden, the women wear silver ornamented dresses. In the Alpine areas, the men wear traditional leather shorts (lederhosen) with leather boots.

What is considered rude in Switzerland?

It is considered to rude to stand too close during conversation. You should stand at least an arm's length from conversation partners. For friends and families, it is normal to touch when they are speaking. In order to make a good impression, you should to maintain good posture.

What is illegal in Switzerland?

It is Illegal to own only one Guinea Pig in Switzerland. Denying your pet the chance to make friends with members of its own species could be considered an act of cruel at least in Switzerland. According to Techly, an animal rights law introduced there in 2008 makes it illegal to own just one guinea pig at a time.

Can I tip in Switzerland?

A service charge is typically added to your bill at restaurants in Switzerland. If this is the case, you do not need to leave an additional tip. However, if you are exceptionally happy with your service, you can round the bill to the nearest franc.

What type of VISA do I need between Tourism and Business? I am invited to attend a Board meeting for one week only.?
How long to process a visa?