Switzerland work, study and tourist visa assistance

Available service routes

• Employment / work route

  Assessment Required

  Employment authorisation for third-country nationals is quota-limited and generally reserved for qualified specialists.

• Long-term study route

  Assessment Required

  Study of more than 90 days normally requires a national (type D) visa and a cantonal residence permit.

• Short-stay tourist route

  Assessment Required

  Short visits are covered by Schengen short-stay rules of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Availability labels indicate whether Friendship Immigration currently offers support for a route. They are not eligibility decisions and do not indicate approval likelihood.

Employment / work-authorization overview

Employment authorisation for third-country nationals is quota-limited and generally reserved for qualified specialists.

A short-stay Schengen visa does not provide a general right to work. Employment normally requires authorization under Switzerland's national employment, work-permit, long-stay visa or residence rules, and the applicable conditions are published by the authorities listed below.

Long-term study visa or residence overview

Study of more than 90 days normally requires a national (type D) visa and a cantonal residence permit.

Study lasting more than 90 days normally requires a national long-stay study visa or student residence permit issued by Switzerland. Admission is decided solely by the educational institution.

Short-stay tourist visa overview

Short visits are covered by Schengen short-stay rules of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.

Applications must be lodged with the competent country according to the main destination and official jurisdiction rules, following the relevant embassy or consulate guidance.

Basic eligibility factors

• •Genuine purpose of travel matching the chosen route
• •Valid travel document meeting the authority's validity rules
• •Documented employment offer or institutional admission, where relevant
• •Evidence of sufficient means for the intended stay
• •Insurance cover as required by the route
• •Immigration and travel history, including any previous refusals
• •Qualification recognition where the occupation or course is regulated
• •Compliance with any quota, language or salary conditions set nationally

Eligibility factors are indicative only. Switzerland sets the binding criteria.

Typical document categories

• •Identity and travel documents (valid passport, photographs)
• •Completed and signed official application forms
• •Purpose-of-travel documents (employment, admission or itinerary documents)
• •Proof of accommodation for the intended stay
• •Travel or health insurance as required by the route
• •Financial-capacity documents in the format the authority accepts
• •Educational and professional documents, translated or legalised where required
• •Police clearance or medical documents where the national route requires them

Exact document requirements are published by Switzerland and can change without notice. We do not publish fixed document lists, salary figures or proof-of-funds amounts on this page.

Application process

1. 1Free initial enquiry and profile review
2. 2Route selection based on the genuine purpose of travel
3. 3Service-availability confirmation and written quotation
4. 4Country-specific document checklist
5. 5Document preparation, translation and review
6. 6Appointment booking guidance and applicant submission
7. 7Biometrics and any authority-requested follow-up
8. 8Decision by the competent authority

Applicant responsibilities

• •Provide true, complete and verifiable information and documents
• •Attend appointments, biometrics and interviews personally where required
• •Pay government, embassy and third-party fees directly where applicable
• •Verify any employer, educational institution or third party independently
• •Comply with the conditions of any visa or permit that is issued