Basic Travel Requirements for Ghanaians visiting
Switzerland
Travelers are required to fulfill the following requirements in order to
apply for a Swiss Visa.
- A valid passport/travel ID
- Proof of financial resources to support you during your stay
- Proof of accommodation (or at least proof of sufficient finances to cover accommodation costs)
- Two current passport-sized photos
- Medical/travel insurance
- Travel itinerary
- Letter of acceptance from university or place of study – for students
- A bank receipt to prove payment of processing fee
- Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate.
Switzerland Visa for Ghanaians
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 days | 90 days |
| Business visa | 15 days | 90 days |
| Student visa | 15 days | Variable |
| Work visa | 15 days | Variable |
General Requirements for Switzerland Visa
- A valid passport/travel ID
- Proof of financial resources to support you during your stay
- Proof of accommodation (or at least proof of sufficient finances to cover accommodation costs)
- Two current passport-sized photos
- Medical/travel insurance
- Travel itinerary
- Letter of acceptance from university or place of study – for students
- A bank receipt to prove payment of processing fee
- Some embassies/consulates may also request a criminal record certificate.
Switzerland Tourist Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This is the type of visa issued to persons who intend to visit Switzerland for tourism purposes.
- You can also visit family and friends while on this visa.
- Applicants seeking this visa need to submit an invitation letter from a family member or sponsor living in Switzerland.
- This letter should clearly state the address and contact details of the host, as well as your relationship with them.
- During the visa application, you will need to provide proof of sufficient funds to last the duration of your stay.
- This Swiss tourist visa is valid for only 90 days.
- You are advised to exit the country before your visa expires.
- This visa does not serve study purposes. You cannot be enrolled in any of the institutions of learning in the country.
Switzerland Business Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This is the type of visa issued to Ghanaians traveling to Switzerland for business purposes.
- You will need to provide an invitation letter from the Swiss company you will be visiting.
- This letter will also contain their detailed address, accompanied with the date and actual purpose of your trip.
- If you are employed, you will have to present a certificate from your employer stating or allowing your business travel.
- Your bank statement from the last 6 months is needed.
- Self-employed people will submit proof of business registration.
- You cannot be gainfully employed while you are in the country with this visa.
- It must be made clear whether your trip will be sponsored by the employer or the local company.
Switzerland Student Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- This is the type of visa issued to those travelling to Switzerland for the purpose of study.
- You are to submit the application for a Switzerland student visa at the Swiss embassy or consulate, or any other intermediate application centers in your country.
- Before you start the visa application process, ensure that you have been accepted into one of the institutions of learning in Switzerland.
- The Switzerland student visa may take up to 2-3 months to be issued.
- Unlike the visit visa, the student visa offers a longer duration.
- The decision about your application is based on the information and the supporting documents you provide.
- These documents have to be sent as originals, accompanied by two photocopies of each.
- Students are allowed to work for a period of time as long as it does not interfere with their study.
- The visa may be extended to cover the period of your study.
Switzerland Work Visa Eligibility &
Requirements
- If you’re planning on taking a job in Switzerland, you need to get a work permit first.
- There are a number of different types of Swiss work permits, as well as exemptions, depending on your employment situation.
- Obtaining a Swiss work permit is increasingly becoming more difficult.
- In 2015, against the backdrop of growing anti-immigration sentiment, the Swiss government reduced the number of work permits available for non-EU nationals and for assignees from EU/EFTA countries.
- The non-EU/EFTA quotas for short-term work permits (L permits) and for long-term work permits (B permits) were each reduced by 1,000, as was also the quota for short-term permits for EU/EFTA assignees.
- The immigration authorities have also tightened application practices, such as closer scrutiny of applications, increased salary requirements and stricter extension rules.
- These measures have made obtaining work permits more difficult. However, getting a Swiss work permit is still possible for those that meet the conditions, or work in a shortage industry.
- Switzerland in fact has one of the highest immigration rates in Europe, and twice that of Germany, with about one-fifth of the population foreign.
- To avoid rejections due to the quota, foreign nationals are advised to submit their work permit applications well in advance.
Switzerland Visa Fees
Tourist visa
68.00 (USD)
Business visa
68.00 (USD)
Student visa
68.00 (USD)
Work visa
68.00 (USD)
Switzerland Visa Application Centres & Embassies in
Ghana
Accra
Hilla Limann Hwy / Kenneth Kaunda Rd, North Ridge Area, Accra-Ghana
www.eda.admin.ch/accra
E-mail: acc.vertretung@eda.admin.ch, acc.visa@eda.admin.ch
(+233) 302 22 81 25 / 85