Are you a Nigerian citizen interested in visiting Switzerland anytime soon? You can apply for a Visa to Switzerland from Nigeria. The Swiss government welcomes foreign nationals to their country, including Nigerians, provided they meet the application requirements for the visa. The application can be completed by submitting an application to the Swiss embassy in Abuja or applying online for a short-term tourist visa. This page focuses on the Switzerland visa application process and the requirements you must meet to get the visa.
Switzerland
The Swiss Confederation, as it is fondly called, is located in West-Central Europe, and it is one of the most industrialized nations on earth. The finance and services industries are the main drivers of the economy, with a thriving expatriate community living in different parts of the country. It has a land area of 41,285 km2 and 8.5 million population. Officially a founding member of the European Free Trade Union, Switzerland became a signatory to the Schengen accord in 2008, which allows holders of Schengen visas to visit any Schengen country in Europe.
Nigerians are well-traveled global citizens who can be found in almost every nation globally, and Switzerland is no exception. In addition, there is a small Nigerian community in the country, many of whom are career professionals and small business owners.
Do Nigerians Need A Swiss Visa?
Nigeria is a West African country and not a member of the Schengen Union, so all Nigerians Interested in coming to Switzerland must obtain a visa first as a matter of priority. Without a Switzerland tourist visa, you will not be allowed into the country.
Types of Visa To Switzerland from Nigeria
Tourist Visa: This one is for Nigerians who want to visit the country for sightseeing. A tourist visa is only valid for 180 days, and you can stay for 90 days. This visa allows you to visit the amazing sites and historic landmarks in Switzerland. Tourist visas are solely for tourism, family, or even short business trips.
Transit Visa: If you are traveling to another country but will take a connecting flight in Switzerland, you can apply for a transit visa. It is valid for 72 hours and allows you to stay in the country for 24 hours to take a rest before continuing your trip. Transit visas are available online.
Study Visa: Nigerian students who have been offered admission into a University in Switzerland may apply for a Study Visa. Study visas may be valid for 1 year or more, depending on the program. However, the applicant must provide an admission letter to support their application.
Work Visa: This visa is for those who have secured employment in a Swiss establishment. They must provide their employment letter when applying for a work visa.
Schengen visa: The Switzerland Schengen visa is a tourist visa for Nigerian tourists who want to visit two or more Schengen countries in Europe. They can apply for a Schengen visa to visit Switzerland and use the same visa to enter any other Schengen country of their choice. However, they must first enter Switzerland before proceeding to another country.
How To Apply For A Visa To Switzerland from Nigeria
If you want to apply for a long-stay visa, like a work or study visa, you have to visit the Swiss embassy in Abuja to apply for the visa in person. You will be asked to submit several documents, and an interview will be scheduled for you, which you must attend with original copies of your credentials.
However, for short-term tourist visas, you can apply online in less than 30 minutes visa VisaHQ in the following steps.
Log onto VisaHQ
Select Switzerland as your destination
Select Nigeria as your country of citizenship
Choose Tourist Visa
Complete the application form
Upload your documents in their appropriate fields
Pay the visa fees
Submit for approval
To avoid rejection, endeavor to submit only valid documents. If successful, the visa will be forwarded to your inbox. Please print it out and bring it on your trip to Switzerland.
Furthermore, the Swiss authorities will want to know the purpose of the trip and the places you plan to visit and stay. They will also want to know if you have plans to return to Nigeria after your visit and whether you have the financial capacity to cover your expenses. The visa will only be issued to you if you can provide answers to these questions beyond a reasonable doubt.
Documents For Swiss Visa Application
These are the documents required and the Switzerland visa requirements
Nigerian Passport: A Nigerian passport valid for at least 6 months from the planned date of arrival. The visa must have at least 2 blank pages left and must not be older than 10 years.
Photograph: You need at least 2 passport-sized photographs that comply with Switzerland Schengen requirements.
Previous Visas: If you have previous Swiss Schengen visa, include them for review.
Medical Insurance: You need medical travel insurance with a minimum cover of €30,000 for all medical expenses you may incur.
Round Trip Ticket: A copy of the flight reservation ticket to prove that you have every intention of returning to Nigeria.
Proof of funds: A statement of account for 3 months showing you is r capacity to meet the €92 minimum daily expenses all through your stay m
Cover Letter: The letter must explain the purpose of your trip and include key details such as your arrival and departure date.