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Switzerland Visa for Nepali Citizens

Up-to-date Switzerland visa requirements, processing time, and embassy info for Nepali passport holders. Yatra handles the full application — document review, dummy ticket, and tracking.

At a glance — Switzerland Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Tourism

Processing time
15 calendar days standard from Embassy receipt — extendable during peak season or where interview / additional documentation is required.
Stay duration
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Visa validity
Issued for the trip dates (single entry) or up to 5 years (multi-entry) at the consul's discretion based on travel history.
Entries
Single, double, or multiple.
Bank balance / financial proof
Bank statements (last 6 months) showing capacity for the trip plus return; recommended closing balance ≥ NPR 500,000.
Where to apply
Book online at vfsglobal.com/npl/en/che/book-an-appointment, attend VFS Kathmandu (Chhaya Center, Thamel) with the full file + biometrics; the Embassy in Jawalakhel adjudicates.

Visa categories available

TouristSchengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Tourism

Tourism, sightseeing, attending events, short stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling window in the Schengen Area — for Switzerland and the five states Switzerland represents in Nepal.

Stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Processing
15 calendar days standard from Embassy receipt — extendable during peak season or where interview / additional documentation is required.

BusinessSchengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Business

Attending business meetings, conferences, negotiations, exhibitions, trade fairs — up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling window. Does NOT cover gainful professional activity (paid or unpaid) — that requires a Swiss work permit.

Stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Processing
15 calendar days standard.

Family VisitSchengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Visitor (Family / Friends)

Visiting family or friends resident in Switzerland or in one of the represented Schengen states (Latvia, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Poland, Slovak Republic) — short stay up to 90 days.

Stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Processing
15 calendar days standard.

DiplomaticSchengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Official / Diplomatic

Inter-governmental meetings, consultations, negotiations, official events, and similar government / international-organisation business.

Stay
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Processing
15 calendar days standard (variable for courtesy-processing diplomats).

WorkSwitzerland Long-Stay Work Visa (Type D National)

Salaried employment in Switzerland under a Swiss employer who has obtained a work permit (Arbeitsbewilligung) from the cantonal labour-market authority subject to quota and labour-market priority rules.

Stay
Tied to the Swiss work contract — typically 1 year initial L-permit (short-term) or B-permit (residence) renewable annually; C-permit (settlement) after 5–10 years.
Processing
8–16 weeks total (Swiss employer obtains work permit from canton + State Secretariat for Migration [SEM] approval BEFORE Embassy submission).

StudentSwitzerland Student Long-Stay Visa (Type D National)

Pursuing studies, training, language courses, or research at a Swiss university, federal institute (ETH / EPFL), university of applied sciences (Fachhochschule), or recognised language school.

Stay
1 year per visa, renewable through the cantonal migration office for the duration of the academic programme.
Processing
8–12 weeks total (after the cantonal migration office approves the residence permit).

familyReunionSwitzerland Family Reunion Long-Stay Visa (Type D National)

Joining a family member legally resident in Switzerland — spouse / civil partner, child under 18 (or older if dependent), and in narrow cases dependent parents.

Stay
Tied to the sponsor's residence permit (Permis B / C / L); converted to "Permis B Famille" or equivalent on arrival.
Processing
8–24 weeks total (sponsor lodges the cantonal application first; once approved the family member applies at the Embassy).

researcherSwitzerland Researcher Long-Stay Visa (Type D National)

Hosted research at a Swiss university, federal institute (ETH / EPFL), research institute, or recognised research entity under the EU Researcher Directive equivalent.

Stay
1 year per visa, renewable through the cantonal migration office for the duration of the research project.
Processing
8–12 weeks total.

studentTraineeSwitzerland Internship / Trainee Long-Stay Visa (Type D National)

Internship or vocational training at a Swiss host organisation under a recognised training agreement, including paid stagiaire arrangements at multinationals based in Switzerland.

Stay
Up to 18 months total (12-month stagiaire programme renewable once for 6 months under bilateral agreements where applicable).
Processing
8–12 weeks.

RetirementSwitzerland Retirement Long-Stay Visa (Type D National)

Long-term residence in Switzerland for retirees aged 55+ who can prove sufficient financial means to live without working in Switzerland and demonstrate strong personal ties to Switzerland.

Stay
1 year initial residence permit (Permis B), renewable annually subject to continued financial sufficiency.
Processing
12–24 weeks.

Required documents — Switzerland tourist visa

  1. Original passport + photocopy

    Valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned end of stay, with at least 2 blank pages. Do NOT staple two or more passports together.

    Required
  2. Passport bio-page copies + previous passports

    Plus copies of every visa / stamp page from previous passports if any.

    Required
  3. One recent passport-size photograph (35–40 mm width)

    Light background, full face non-smiling, no sunglasses or hat (except religious / ethnic), colour, < 6 months old, printed on photographic paper. Glue onto application form.

    Required
  4. Citizenship copy

    Photocopy of Nepali citizenship certificate, both sides.

    Required
  5. Schengen visa application form

    Complete the visa application form online while booking the VFS appointment, then download, print, and sign.

    Required
  6. Schengen Visa Questionnaire

    Questionnaire_Schengen_Visa_EN.pdf — print, fill, and submit alongside the main application form.

    Required
  7. Cover letter

    Detailed letter in English stating purpose, itinerary, sponsor (if any), self-funding, and intent to return — addressed to the Embassy of Switzerland, Kathmandu.

    Required
  8. Confirmed return / onward airline ticket

    Showing arrival in and departure from the Schengen Area within the visa validity (issue an airline-confirmed PNR; do NOT pay for the ticket before the visa is approved — VFS accepts a confirmed reservation).

    Required
  9. Confirmed accommodation for the entire stay

    Hotel reservations in the applicant's name covering every night, OR a notarised host-invitation with host's ID + Swiss residence proof.

    Required
  10. Schengen-approved travel medical insurance

    Minimum EUR 30,000 cover including emergency medical, hospitalisation, and repatriation; valid throughout the Schengen Area for the entire stay.

    Required
  11. Bank statement (last 6 months)

    Original, signed and stamped on every page; recommended closing balance ≥ NPR 500,000–700,000 for tourist short-stay; higher for long-stay.

    Required
  12. ANY ONE income bundle — Business / Salary / Pension / Rental (only one needed)

    See per-bundle breakdown below — submit the bundle that matches your active income source.

    Required
  13. Income Details & Supporting Documents (For Visa Application)

    Important Notes: (1) All documents issued in Nepali language must be translated into English and notarised (certified by a notary public). (2) The applicant is required to provide documents for any ONE source of income only from the categories listed below.

    Required
  14. 1. Business Income

    Applicants involved in business must submit the following:

    Conditional
  15. PAN Certificate

    Permanent Account Number certificate issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD).

    Required
  16. Business Registration Certificate

    Submit ONE of: (a) Company Registrar Certificate (for private/public limited companies), (b) Cottage / Small Industry (Gharelu) Registration, OR (c) Municipality / Ward (Wada) Registration Certificate.

    Required
  17. Additional Registration Certificates (if applicable)

    Sector-specific endorsements: (a) Tourism Board Registration for travel-related businesses, (b) Nepal Rastra Bank (NRB) Registration for financial institutions, (c) Contractor License from Municipality / Ward Office.

    Conditional
  18. Latest Audit Report

    Signed by a Nepal Chartered Accountants Institute (ICAN)–registered auditor, with company stamp.

    Required
  19. Tax Clearance Certificate

    Issued by the Inland Revenue Department (IRD) for the latest fiscal year.

    Required
  20. 2. Salary-Based Income

    Applicants who are employed must provide:

    Conditional
  21. Salary Certificate / Salary Letter

    On employer letterhead, signed and stamped — stating designation, joining date, monthly gross / net salary, and tenure.

    Required
  22. Leave Approval Letter

    Confirming sanctioned leave dates covering the full trip plus a buffer; signed by HR / authorised signatory.

    Required
  23. No Objection Certificate (NOC) from employer

    Confirming the employer has no objection to the trip and the applicant will return to duty after the leave window.

    Required
  24. Tax Clearance Certificate from IRD OR Tax Submission Letter from employer with tax statements

    Either personal tax clearance from the Inland Revenue Department for the latest year, OR an employer letter confirming TDS deduction + remittance with attached employee tax statement.

    Required
  25. 3. Pension Income

    Applicants receiving pension must submit:

    Conditional
  26. Pension Certificate (Pension Patta)

    Original Nijamati / armed-forces pension book issued by the Pension Management Office, plus copies of all entries.

    Required
  27. Company ID Card (if available)

    Photocopy of the former government / public-sector service ID card (front + back).

    Conditional
  28. Recent Pension Bank Statement

    Last 3–6 months of pension-account transactions showing regular monthly pension credits — original, signed and stamped on every page.

    Required
  29. Pension Receiving Confirmation Letter from Bank

    On bank letterhead, confirming the applicant's pension account, monthly credit amount, and account holder details.

    Required
  30. 4. Rental Income

    Applicants earning rental income must provide:

    Conditional
  31. Land Ownership Certificate

    Original + copy of the Lalpurja (land title deed) for the rental-yielding land / property.

    Required
  32. Building Completion Certificate

    Issued by the Municipality / Nagarpalika engineering office confirming the building is completed and fit for occupancy.

    Required
  33. Land and Building Tax Payment Certificate

    Latest fiscal-year payment receipts from Municipality (Nagarpalika) and Ward (Wada) office (malpot / bhumi-ghar tax).

    Required

Switzerland embassy in Nepal

Mission
Embassy of Switzerland — Kathmandu
Address
Embassy of Switzerland, Ekantakuna, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal · P.O. Box 113
Phone
+977 1 421 7008, +977 1 597 0883
Hours
Embassy: Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00 + 13:00–17:00 (closed Sat/Sun + holidays). Consular visiting hours: Mon–Fri 09:00–12:00. Telephone consular hours: Mon–Thu 14:00–15:00.
Application centre
VFS Global Switzerland Visa Application Centre — Kathmandu — 3rd Floor, Chhaya Complex / Chhaya Devi Center, Amrit Marg, Bhagwan Bahal, Thamel-26, Kathmandu, Nepal. Submission by appointment via vfsglobal.com/npl/en/che/book-an-appointment. Handles Schengen short-stay only (since 1 July 2025); long-stay national visas go directly to the Embassy at Jawalakhel.

Important notes

  • Every Nepali-language document MUST be accompanied by a notary-certified English translation — embassies will reject untranslated originals. Use a Nepal Bar Council–registered translator and have each translation notarised by a Notary Public.
  • Since 1 July 2025, Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa applications for Switzerland — and for the five Schengen states Switzerland represents in Nepal (Latvia, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Poland, and Slovak Republic) — are processed by VFS Global Kathmandu (Chhaya Center, Thamel). The Embassy at Jawalakhel no longer accepts walk-in short-stay submissions.
  • Long-stay national (Type D) visas — work, study, family reunion, research, internship, retirement, etc. — must be filed DIRECTLY at the Embassy of Switzerland in Jawalakhel. VFS does NOT handle long-stay categories.
  • Long-stay applications are forwarded by the Embassy to the competent cantonal migration office in Switzerland for adjudication; some long-stay visas are pre-approved by the Swiss authorities and can be collected with a simplified process at the Embassy.
  • VFS service charge: NPR 2,858 (incl. 13 % VAT) per applicant — payable by Credit / Debit card online when confirming the appointment slot. Visa fee itself is paid in cash or QR at the visa centre on the day of submission. Optional add-ons: SMS NPR 440, Premium Lounge NPR 6,200, Form-Filling NPR 1,466 (all incl. 13 % VAT).
  • Schengen short-stay processing: 15 calendar days standard from Embassy receipt — extendable when interview / further documentation is requested. Recommended lead time: at least 2 weeks before travel; max 180 days in advance; minimum 15 calendar days.
  • Long-stay processing: typically 8–12 weeks from Embassy submission to cantonal decision; some categories (work permits with quota) can take longer.
  • Schengen-approved travel medical insurance with minimum EUR 30,000 cover (incl. emergency repatriation) is mandatory and must be valid throughout the Schengen Area for the entire stay.
  • Photo specifications: 35–40 mm width, light (white / off-white) background, full face non-smiling, no sunglasses or hat (except religious / ethnic), colour, < 6 months old, printed on photographic paper (no scans / copies). Glue the photo onto the application form. ICAO photo guidelines apply: http://www.icao.int/Security/mrtd/Downloads/Technical%20Reports/Annex_A-Photograph_Guidelines.pdf
  • Passport must be valid for at least 3 months beyond the planned end of stay, with at least 2 blank pages. Do NOT staple two or more passports together — bind with a rubber band.
  • Schengen visas must be applied for at the consulate of the main destination country. When Switzerland is the main destination (longest stay), apply at VFS Switzerland; if equal stay across Schengen states, apply at the consulate of the first port of entry.
  • On arrival in Switzerland, long-stay visa holders must register with the local Kreisbüro / community office within 14 days (and before starting work).

Machine-readable version: /visa/switzerland/markdown

Frequently asked questions

How long does a Switzerland tourist visa take to process for Nepali citizens?
15 calendar days standard from Embassy receipt — extendable during peak season or where interview / additional documentation is required.
What bank balance is required for a Switzerland visa?
Bank statements (last 6 months) showing capacity for the trip plus return; recommended closing balance ≥ NPR 500,000.
How many days can Nepali citizens stay in Switzerland on a tourist visa?
Up to 90 days within any 180-day period. (Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Tourism).
Where do Nepali citizens apply for a Switzerland tourist visa?
Book online at vfsglobal.com/npl/en/che/book-an-appointment, attend VFS Kathmandu (Chhaya Center, Thamel) with the full file + biometrics; the Embassy in Jawalakhel adjudicates.
What documents are required for a Switzerland tourist visa from Nepal?
Required documents include: Original passport + photocopy; Passport bio-page copies + previous passports; One recent passport-size photograph (35–40 mm width); Citizenship copy; Schengen visa application form; Schengen Visa Questionnaire; Cover letter; Confirmed return / onward airline ticket.
Where is the Switzerland embassy in Nepal?
Embassy of Switzerland — Kathmandu — Embassy of Switzerland, Ekantakuna, Jawalakhel, Lalitpur, Kathmandu, Nepal · P.O. Box 113. Phone: +977 1 421 7008.
Can Nepali citizens apply for a Switzerland business visa?
Yes — Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Type C) — Business. Attending business meetings, conferences, negotiations, exhibitions, trade fairs — up to 90 days within any 180-day rolling window. Does NOT cover gainful professional activity (paid or unpaid) — that requires a Swiss work permit. Processing: 15 calendar days standard..
Is there an online portal to apply for a Switzerland visa?
Yes — apply online at https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/che (VFS application portal — short-stay) · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/npl/en/che/book-an-appointment · https://visa.vfsglobal.com/one-pager/switzerland/nepal/english/ (full visa-info one-pager + downloadable PDF checklists) · https://www.eda.admin.ch/kathmandu (Embassy — long-stay).
How is the Switzerland visa fee paid?
Schengen short-stay: cash / QR at VFS centre, VFS service online by Credit / Debit card. Long-stay: pay directly at the Embassy in Jawalakhel by cash / bank transfer.
Can Yatra help with a Switzerland visa application?
Yes — Yatra provides end-to-end visa assistance for Switzerland including document preparation, appointment booking, application review, and a PNR-backed dummy ticket (NPR 999) when the embassy requires proof of onward travel.

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