Indian Visa from Switzerland

^{Last Updated 18 June 2024}
A Tourist Visa is issued to individuals visiting India for tourism or other leisure purposes such as family visits. VFS Global India Pvt Ltd facilitates visa services for the Embassy of India, Berne. If you reside in the French-speaking part of Switzerland (Geneva, Neuchatel, Valais, and Vaud Cantons), you can submit your visa application at the Consulate General of India in Geneva. Residents of other parts of Switzerland must apply at the Embassy of India in Bern. Residents of France, even those living in regions near Geneva, must apply at Indian Missions in France or the Visa Application Center in Lyon at Immeuble Danci B21 Avenue George Pompidou, Lyon Cedex.

How to Apply an Indian e-Visa from Switzerland?

Step 1: Fill Out the Application

Complete the e-Visa application online and ensure all information is correct.
Upload all required documents and photograph.

Required Documents

• Recent front-facing photograph with a white background. Follow the photo specifications.
• Scanned bio page of the passport showing the photograph and personal details (PDF, 10 KB to 300 KB). Photo page of your passport containing personal details such as name, date of birth, nationality, and expiry date.
• One additional document based on the type of e-Visa (e.g., business cards, invitation letters).

Application Timeframe: Apply online at least 4 days in advance of your date of arrival.

Step 2: Payment

Pay the applicable fee online and verify payment status.

e-Visa Types and Fees for Swiss Nationals:

• 30-day e-Visa: April to June: $10 USD
• 30-day e-Visa: July to March: $25 USD
• 1-year e-Visa: $40 USD
• 5-year e-Visa: $80 USD

Fee and Payment:

• e-Visa fees vary by country/territory. Bank transaction charges of 2.5% will be added to the applicable e-Visa fees.
• The fee must be paid at least 4 days before the expected date of travel.
• Fees are non-refundable, irrespective of whether the e-Visa is granted or rejected.

Step 3: Track Your Application

Track the status of your application online using the visa status page.
For more information, visit the official Indian e-Visa website.

ETA Confirmation

• Carry a copy of the Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) when you travel.
• Ensure your ETA status shows 'GRANTED' on the official website before your journey.
• Biometric details will be captured upon arrival in India.

Important Considerations:

• Applicants must apply using the passport they will travel with.
• The e-Visa is non-extendable, non-convertible, and not valid for visiting protected/restricted and cantonment areas without prior permission from the Civil Authority.
• If you receive an ETA on an old passport, you must carry both the old and new passports.
• Nationals of Yellow Fever affected countries or travelers from these countries must carry a Yellow Fever Vaccination Card upon arrival in India.

Eligibility Criteria for Indian e-Visa

International travelers from Switzerland can apply for an Indian e-Visa if their visit is for

• Recreation, sightseeing, or casual visits to meet friends and relatives.
• Short-term yoga programs, and short courses in local languages, music, dance, arts, crafts, cooking, or medicine. These courses should not exceed six months and should not issue any qualifying certificates or diplomas.
• Voluntary work for up to one month without any monetary payment or consideration.
• Medical treatment, including treatment under Indian systems of medicine.
• Business purposes.
• Attending conferences, seminars, or workshops organized by a government department, state governments, or private organizations.
• As an attendant to an e-Medical visa holder.

How to Apply for Indian Visa from Switzerland (Regular Visa) in Person?

Step 1: Online Application

Apply online at Indian Visa Online. Make sure to follow the Checklist for Tourist Visa.

Step 2: Print the Application

Complete the application form, print it, and bring it along with the required documents for your visa category to the Visa Application Centre for submission.

Step 3: Book an Appointment at the IVAC

Choose a Visa Application Centre and make an appointment at VFS Global to have your fingerprints and photo taken (biometric information). Once your appointment is booked, you will receive a confirmation email with the appointment details. For family or group applications, individual appointments are required for each member.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Visit a Visa Application Centre. Attend your scheduled appointment and submit your completed visa application form in person.

• Visa applications can be submitted at the IVAC from 08:30 to 14:00.
• Walk-ins are accepted between 08:00 and 11:00 for those without an online appointment.

For more details, visit here.

Step 5: Pay Visa Fees

Once you have submitted your application, you will need to pay the visa application fee. Detailed fee information is available here. If you have downloaded and printed the form to bring to the Visa Application Centre, payment will be made during your appointment. Payment can be made directly at the visa application centre. 

Visa Fee for Switzerland Nationals 

Validity	Entries	Visa Fees CHF (Swiss Francs)	Service Fee	Consular Surcharge	SMS/Email	Premium Courier Delivery	Total Amount
Up to 01 Year	Multiple	88	9.70+3.75*	3	3.5	40	147.95
01 - 05 Years	Multiple	176	9.70+3.75*	3	3.5	40	235.95

Fee for other nationals can be found here.
All payments must be made in CHF (Swiss Francs) only.

Transaction Fees (including VAT):

• Credit Cards: 3% on the total invoice amount
• Debit Card: CHF 0.30 per transaction
• Cash: No transaction fee applicable
• Payment by Postal Order: CHF 3.75 per transaction

Payment Instructions:

• Debit & Credit Cards (At Visa Centre): Post Card and American Express will not be accepted.
• Cash (At Visa Centre)
• Payment by Postal Order

Payments should be made in favor of "VF SERVICES (UK) Limited" at Weststrasse 2, 3005 Bern via E-Banking IBAN: CH31 0023 0230 5583 7301 X, or you can generate the QR code by accessing the following link: QR Bill.

Refund of Visa Application Fee:
If VFS is in breach of contract or negligent regarding any visa application submitted, resulting in the visa not being granted or the loss of the applicant's passport with valid visas, VFS will refund the visa application fee only.

Step 6: Track Your Application

You will receive an email update when your decision has been returned to the Visa Application Centre. If you cannot easily access email or prefer more detailed tracking information, you may also get updates by SMS sent directly to your phone. Check if this service is available at the Visa Application Centre you are visiting.

You can also track your application online at: Track Your Application.

Step 7: Collect Your Passport

Once a decision has been made on your visa application, you can either collect your passport from the Visa Application Centre or have it returned to you by courier for an additional fee.

Collecting Your Passport in Person:

• Bring the receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre.
• Present a form of government identification.
• If you are sending a representative, they must have a letter of authorization signed by you, the receipt from the Visa Application Centre, and their government identification.

Document Collection: 16:30 – 17:30 Hrs

How to Apply Visa by Post?

Applying for an Indian visa by post is a convenient option for those unable to visit the visa application centre in person. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you through the process. 

Refer printed application checklist for postal applications. 

Step 1: Complete the Online Application

Start by completing the online visa application form provided by the Government of India. Ensure you select the correct Mission, enter accurate information, and then print and sign the hard copy of the application form.

Upload all required documents online and print proof of the upload status to submit with your supporting documents.
Important Note: Filling or submitting the online form alone does not complete the process. You must send the physical application form and supporting documents to the VFS Application Centre.

Step 2: Prepare Your Payment

Once you have completed, printed, and signed your application form, and gathered all necessary documents, proceed to make the payment in one of the following ways:

• By certified cheque made out to VF Services UK Limited.
• Securely over the phone after your package reaches the application centre (indicate this option in the postal checklist).

The fee applicable is the same as above, please refer the official VFS Global website and select "Tourist Visa" under Visa types.

Step 3: Send Your Application

After arranging the payment: Print and fill out the checklist for postal applications. 
Click here to create and print your shipping label for sending your application.
Attach the shipping label to your envelope and drop your application at the local post office.
 
Note: Postal applications must be sent only to the specified office.
Warning: Applications with missing or incomplete documents or payments will not be accepted and will be returned to applicants at their own cost. Service charges will also apply in such cases.

Step 4: Track Your Application

• If you opted to pay securely over the phone, a member of the VFS team will contact you for payment upon receipt of your application.
• You will receive application process notifications via email/SMS (if opted for) whenever there is a status change.

Track the status of your application online. 

Step 5: Receive Your Passport

Once processed, your passport will be returned to the address you provided during the application submission

Documents Required for Indian Visa Application

Printed Visa Application Form:

• Complete the Regular Visa Application Form online provided by the Government of India.
• Print the form and sign in the box under the photograph on page 1.
• Validate the data on your form and accept the declaration on page 2 by signing at the bottom.

Passport:

• Original passport with a minimum validity of 180 days from the expected return date.
• The passport must contain at least 2 blank visa pages for stamping.

Passport Photos:

• Two photographs conforming to Indian Government norms (50 mm x 50 mm).
• Standard Swiss passport photos are not accepted.
• Attach one photo to the form on page 1 in the provided box.
• Attach the second photo with a paper clip.
• A photo booth is available at the VFS Office in Bern for convenience.

Residence Permit/Referral Form (Non-Swiss/Liechtenstein Nationals):

• Photocopy of valid Residence Permit (category B, C, or L).
• Note: G and F category permits will not be accepted.

Additional Requirements for Pakistani Nationals and Swiss Nationals of Pakistani Origin:

• Four sets of specific application forms with one identical photo on each form.
• Additionally, submit four copies of the "Additional Information Form."

Travel Itinerary:

• Flight reservation, e-ticket, or travel plan.
• A detailed itinerary showing arrival and departure dates, as well as flight details.
• Include one copy per application.
• Note: A confirmed booking is not required.

Additional Documents for Minors (Under 15 Years of Age):

• Visa Application Form must be signed by a parent or legal guardian.
• Photocopy of ID or passport from parents or legal guardian.
• Authorization letter signed by the parents or legal guardian.
• Copy of the child’s birth certificate.

Additional Documents for Double or Multiple Entry:

• If requesting double or multiple entry:Provide a flight reservation showing visits to neighboring countries.
• Alternatively, provide a second reservation for a later date if intending to travel to India again within the validity of your visa.
• Note: This does not guarantee a multiple entry visa will be granted.

General Advisory

• Please note that the validity of the visa starts from the date of issue, not from the date of travel.
• Visa fees, once received, are non-refundable even if the visa application is withdrawn or the visa is not granted.
• The Immigration authorities in India are the sole authority for granting entry into India, even with a valid visa.
• The Embassy is not responsible for documents or applications lost in the mail.

Validity and Processing Time of the Visa

• Visas are valid for a single entry for the period the return ticket has been booked, with a maximum limit of 3 months.
• Regardless of the visa's duration, each visit is limited to a maximum of 90 days, is non-extendable, and a change of purpose is not allowed.
• The processing time for tourist visas is 3-5 working days.
• Tourist visas for up to 5 years are available under the condition that the applicant can provide proof of travel to India 3-4 times a year spanning the last 3 years or more.