Schengen Short-Stay (Type C)Verified 2026-04-13Switzerland Business Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
A Switzerland Business Visa is a Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa for Indian professionals travelling to Switzerland for business purposes — meetings, conferences, trade shows, or exploring business opportunities. Valid for up to 90 days within any 6-month period. Does not permit gainful professional activities (even if unpaid) — for work, a separate Type D work permit is required.
Processing
15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 6-month period (Schengen area-wide)
Starting Fee
₹9,600
Apply At
13 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Switzerland visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Applications can be submitted only 180 days (6 months) prior to the intended date of departure — not earlier.
- 2From May 1, 2010 onwards, only passports issued within the previous 10 years are accepted.
- 3Your passport must have at least 2 blank pages for the visa sticker.
- 4Your passport must be valid for at least 3 months longer than your intended stay in the Schengen area.
- 5Handwritten or non-machine-readable Indian passports issued after 01/04/2010 are NOT accepted.
- 6Indian passports containing a MANUAL entry / observation made after 01 April 2010 — where the biographical data (name, date of birth, place of birth, sex, spouse's name, parents' name, address) of the passport holder was changed — are NOT accepted.
- 7If your passport has a handwritten observation "previously known as", you must provide ONE of the following as proof of the name change: (a) your original previous passport showing the old name, OR (b) a photocopy of the data page of your previous passport showing the old name, OR (c) a copy of the name-change advertisement from a local daily newspaper.
Who Can Apply
- Business meetings, conferences, and trade shows in Switzerland
- Contract negotiations with Swiss companies
- Visiting Swiss business partners or clients
- Exploring investment or business opportunities
- Attending exhibitions or industry events
Not eligible under this visa:
- Paid or unpaid work / professional activities — apply for a Type D work permit instead
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a Type D long-stay visa
- Holders of a Swiss residence permit
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Short-Stay) | ₹9,600 |
| Children 6–12 years | ₹4,800 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,690 |
| Courier service (optional) | ₹930 |
| SMS service (optional) | ₹450 |
| Premium Lounge (optional) | ₹4,600 |
| Combo — SMS + Courier Return | ₹1,250 |
All VISA fees and service charges payable in Cash / Card / Online. Fees are non-refundable regardless of visa outcome. Online payment refund processing: 5–7 working days. POS refund processing: 21 working days. A bank charge is deducted on refunds. Fees subject to change without notice as per current exchange rate.
Documents Required
Mandatory (all applicants must provide)
- !Completed Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C)
New form only — from March 2, 2020 onwards
- !Signed Authorization form
Mandatory along with application form
- !Valid passport
Valid minimum 3 months beyond intended stay; at least 2 blank pages
- !1 recent passport-size photograph
35–40mm, colour, light background, not older than 6 months
- !Travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage, valid across all Schengen states
- !Cover letter
Detailing purpose of business travel and itinerary
- !Invitation letter from Swiss host company
On company letterhead; include host's contact + business relationship
- !Employer letter (NOC) on company letterhead
Confirming employment, designation, salary, approved leave dates
- !Company registration / trade licence
If self-employed or business owner
- !Personal bank statement — last 3 months
A4 paper only, with original bank stamp & signature
- !Income Tax Returns (ITR) — last 3 years
- !Return flight itinerary (reservation, not ticket)
- !Hotel booking confirmation
For the full duration of stay
Additional (if applicable)
- ○Previous passports (if any)
Showing travel history
- ○Business conference registration / booking confirmation
- ○Spouse's / family sponsorship documents
If travelling with family
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Complete the visa application form
Download the Schengen Type C form from VFS Global website, fill it out completely, and sign.
Gather all required documents
Use the checklist above. Ensure bank statements are on A4 with original stamps.
Purchase travel medical insurance
Minimum €30,000 coverage valid across all Schengen states.
Book a VFS appointment
Select the VFS Global centre nearest to you. Walk-in without appointment not accepted.
Submit your application at VFS
Attend on the scheduled date with originals + photocopies. Biometrics captured on-site.
Pay the fees
Pay visa fee + VFS service charge + any optional services. Cash / card / online accepted.
Track your application
Use VFS online tracker or opt for SMS service for live updates.
Collect your passport
Via Premium Lounge, courier service, or in-person pickup from VFS centre.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C — Short Stay)
On the VFS page, select your visa type → scroll to the 'Download Form' section at the bottom → click 'New Visa Application Form Visa C'. Form mandatory from March 2, 2020 — old forms are rejected.
National Visa Application Form (Type D — Long Stay 3+ months)
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'National (type D) visa application form'. For long-stay visas (gainful employment, family reunification, study >90 days).
Authorization Form
On the VFS page, scroll to 'Download Form' → click 'Authorization'. Mandatory for ALL applicants regardless of visa type.
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Business Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 questions focused on business visa criteria. Business applications face different scrutiny — the embassy wants clear purpose, genuine business relationships, and verifiable host.
Who is inviting you to Denmark / the Schengen country?
What form will the invitation take?
How long have you had a business relationship with the Danish host?
How long is your business trip?
What's your role in your Indian company?
What's your Indian company's annual turnover?
Helps establish legitimacy of the business case.
How often do you travel internationally for business?
Have you used a Schengen visa before?
Any previous visa refusals (business or otherwise)?
Your return-to-India anchor?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Travel medical insurance covering minimum €30,000 is MANDATORY for all Schengen countries.
- Personal bank statement (last 3 months) must be on A4 size paper with original bank stamp and signature.
- Do NOT bind two or more passports with a stapler — use rubber bands to avoid passport damage.
- Photo must be recent (not older than 6 months), 35–40mm wide, colour, on photographic paper with a light background.
- Submit your application at least 2 weeks before travel, or earlier during peak holiday season.
- The decision on your application is the sole prerogative of the Embassy — VFS has no role in approvals or rejections.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Purpose of visit unclear or inconsistent with documentation
- 2.Weak financial documentation — insufficient bank balance or unclear income source
- 3.Weak ties to India — embassy perceives intent to overstay
- 4.Incomplete or mismatched invitation letter from Swiss host
- 5.Travel medical insurance not meeting the €30,000 Schengen minimum
- 6.Bank statements not on A4 or missing original bank stamp
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does a Switzerland Business Visa take?+
Can I work in Switzerland on a Business Visa?+
What is the total cost for a Switzerland Business Visa from India?+
Can I visit other Schengen countries with a Swiss Business Visa?+
Do I need travel insurance?+
Where can I download the visa application form?+
What happens after the Embassy reviews my application?+
Can SureshotVisa help me with the Business Visa application?+
Let us prepare your Switzerland Business Visa — (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Switzerland Visa Types
Switzerland Incentive Tour Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Switzerland Incentive Tour visa for groups of 50+ travellers. Simplified group application through the Embassy with specific timelines by group size.
Switzerland Student Visa (Short Stay, ≤ 90 days)
Switzerland Schengen Short-Stay visa for Indian students pursuing studies in Switzerland for less than 90 days. Visa fee is FREE — only VFS service charges apply.
Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Switzerland Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay Type C) from India. Complete fees, document checklist, and application guide for Indian travellers.
Switzerland Visitor Visa (Family / Friends, Schengen Type C)
Switzerland Visitor Visa for Indian citizens visiting family or friends living in Switzerland. Schengen Short-Stay Type C, up to 90 days. Complete fees + document guide.
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay, Type D)
Switzerland Family Reunification Visa (Long-Stay Type D) for Indian applicants joining family in Switzerland for more than 90 days. Complete guide on process, fees, and documents.
Switzerland Student Visa (Long-Stay, Type D — >90 days)
Switzerland Student Visa (Type D National Long-Stay) for Indian students enrolling in courses longer than 90 days. Submit directly at Embassy Delhi. Visa fee is FREE — only service charges apply.
Switzerland Work Permit (Long-Stay, >120 days) — Informational
Switzerland Work Permit for long-term employment (>120 days). The process MUST be initiated by the Swiss employer via cantonal authorities. Informational guide only — SureshotVisa does NOT handle work permit procurement.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Switzerland website and Embassy of Switzerland. Last verified 2026-04-13. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.