In this article
Introduction
Located in the center of Europe, Switzerland is a landlocked mountainous region, famous for its bewitching and captivating landscape.
The country shares borders with Germany, Italy, France, Austria, and Liechtenstein. Spanning over an area of 41,285 km2, Switzerland is a federal directorial republic with 26 cantons, with the medieval city of Bern being the seat of the federal authorities.
Switzerland is part of the Schengen area and attracts millions of tourists every year.
As many as 1029564 itinerants applied for Swiss Schengen Visa. Out of the aforementioned applications, nearly 40000 were turned down citing various reasons.
Coming down to the Swiss Consulate General Francisco, 0.3pc of 2675 applications were rejected.
Applying for Schengen Visa from the USA
Being US permanent citizen exempts you from applying for Swiss Schengen Visa at Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco.
Contrarily, if you are not a US citizen but lives in the USA permanently, then you will apply for Swiss Schengen Visa at Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco.
If you are US citizen there is no need to apply for a Schengen visa. However, if you are not a citizen of the US by birth, but you live in the US permanently, you have to apply for a Swiss Schengen visa. Check the consulate’s website for a list of nationalities that are exempt from applying.
Jurisdiction of Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco
Following states of the USA falls under the jurisdiction of the Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco:
Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming.
The Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco offers the following types of visas:
Swiss Schengen Visa: This type of visa is also called Swiss short-stay visa. A Swiss Schengen Visa allows its possessor to stay in the Swiss territory for up to 90 days.
National Visa: A Swiss National Visa allows its holder to stay in the Swiss territory for more than 90 days.
Swiss Airport Transit Visa: Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco allows its holders who want to roam within the international zone of the airport.
Schengen Visa Application Process at the Consulate General of Switzerland in San Francisco
First of all, go to the official website of the Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco. It will give you all the relevant information including:
Visa Application Form
Personal Information
Processing time
Documents accompanying the Swiss Schengen Visa Application form
International standard photographs
Information for hosts in Switzerland
In addition, the itinerant must apply at least fifteen days prior to his/her intended date of departure. In overall, the itinerant can apply from 15 days to 90 days beforehand.
It is worth here to mention that the Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco takes approximately 10 to 15 days to process the visa application.
Now let’s move back to the visa application process.
Step 1: Do you need a visa
Go to the online application portal to confirm whether you need a visa or not. It depends upon your nationality.
Enter your credentials to log in. If you don’t have any, please make by following simple instructions.
Step 2: Complete online application
In the first step, you will complete an online application form. Print it after completion and signed it in the end.
Only those itinerants can avail online facility who are going to apply for Swiss Schengen Visa. For all other types of visas, the itinerant will submit an application at Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco in person. Still, you will make the appointment online.
Step 3: Prepare documents
For acquiring Swiss Schengen Visa, you must submit all mandatory documents along with the visa application form. Failing to do so will result only in rejection of your application.
Check the consulate’s website to confirm a list of mandatory documents. It is worth here to mention that itinerant is required to submit original documents along with photocopies.
Following are the documents for your Swiss Schengen Visa application:
Printed, filled and signed application for Swiss Schengen Visa.
International standard passport size pictures.
A valid travel document or passport holding validity of at least three months after your intended date of return from Switzerland. Passport must not be issued before 10 years and should have at least two blank pages.
A valid permanent residence card or H1B visa + F1/I-797 or I-20.
Photocopies of the Schengen Visas issued previously issued within the span of the previous five years.
A verifiable roundtrip flight reservation.
A verifiable hotel booking document or proof of accommodation.
A travel health insurance offering minimum coverage of thirty thousand euros.
Letter from company or employer stating position and salary (if employed).
If self-employed, attach banks statements and ITR (income tax returns).
If student, submit an enrollment letter.
A self-addressed envelope accompanied by tracking number.
Means of subsistence for Switzerland: As per the law of the European Commission, the applicant is bound to attest to the Swiss Consulate or Embassy that he possesses daily cash equivalent to 100 CHF or 92.34€.
An invitation letter from the Swiss-based company or a person possessing permanent residence card of Switzerland.
It is your responsibility to check what you need to submit for your application, so check the consulate’s website for more information as to what you need for your type of visa.
Step 4: Appear for an interview at Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco
If you’ve already appeared for the interview and acquired a Schengen Visa, then you don’t need to appear for an interview again in a personal capacity.
Also, if you have given fingerprints data in the previous five years, then there is no need to submit it again.
However, if you are applying for the first time, then you will appear for an interview at Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco.
Appear in the formal dressing and reach the Swiss Consulate General at least 30 minutes prior before your appointment time. Don’t get panic if some extra questions are thrown at you by the visa officer.
Answer each question honestly and precisely in accordance with the information that you have submitted in your Swiss Visa Application.
Step 5: Receive your visa
The applicant can collect his visa from the Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco or can have it posted on his personal address.
Address of Swiss Consulate General in San Francisco
Pier 17, Suite 600, San Francisco, CA 94111
Email: sanfrancisco.visa@eda.admin.ch
Phone: +1 415 788 2272
Fax: +1 415 788 1402
Appointment Hours: Monday to Friday, 09.00 am – 12.00 pm
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