Switzerland business visa from India: the official document checklist, decoded

The checklist, as published

Condensed from the official document linked above; wording is the mission's, shortened. Where the mission names an official form it is listed under "Forms". Always download the current version from the source link on the day you apply.

1. Valid national passport: issued within 10 years, 3 months validity after return, two blank pages; no handwritten or observation passports
2. 1 passport size picture: white background, under 6 months old, 35-40 mm wide, not copied/scanned, pasted on the form
3. Visa application form completed and signed by the applicant; if applicable, authorization of third person
4. Introduction letter from employer (original) on letterhead, signed/stamped by HR/directorate: person, position, service duration, trip dates, purpose, whether expenses covered
5. Invitation letter from Swiss business partner: inviter's full name, address, email, phone; signed/stamped; invitee details, dates, purpose, day-to-day schedule
6. Travel insurance from approved Indian insurers, minimum EUR 30,000 per person: repatriation, urgent medical, emergency hospital; covers entire Schengen stay
7. Flight reservation with names of all travellers
8. Proof of financial status: all documents originals, A4 format, with stamp and signature of the bank
9. Employed: employment contract, last 3 months salary slips, last 3 months salary-credited bank statements, ITR-V last 2 assessment years
10. Self-employed/company owner: business registration/GST registration/partnership deed/proprietorship proof, 3 months bank statements, 2 years ITR-V
11. Retired: personal pension bank statement for the last 3 months; proof of regular income from property or business ownership
12. Visa fee: adults EUR 90.00

Forms named by the mission

• SEM Schengen visa application form
• Authorization of third person (Appendix 8 authorization letter) when a representative or agent submits
• Approved list of Indian travel insurance companies (embassy PDF)

Notes the mission attaches

• Invitation letter: 'Original or copy, signed and stamped, mentioning invitee details, dates and purpose of the trip, plus detailed schedule of the business meetings or training (day to day schedule).'
• The introduction letter must state whether expenses are covered by the employer or company.
• 'Accompanying spouses and children of business travelers are kindly requested to submit the documents as per the respective checklist (e.g. tourist or visitor).'
• Same photo, bank-original/A4, ITR-V and insurance rules as the tourist checklist; only checklist documents accepted.

What each item is for

Every Schengen checklist is Article 14(1) of the Visa Code made specific: (a) purpose of the journey, (b) accommodation, (c) means of subsistence for the stay and the return, (d) information enabling an assessment of your intention to leave before the visa expires. Read the list above with those four heads in mind: bookings and invitations answer (a) and (b); bank statements, salary slips and tax returns answer (c); employment, business, family and property papers answer (d). Our documents guide explains each head, and the cover-letter guide shows how to make them agree.

For business the counterpart's letter is the anchor: who is inviting, why, for how long, and who pays. Consulates verify it by phone; a counterpart who cannot be reached is the classic route to ground 12 on the refusal form.

Processing time, as stated by the mission

"Processing time for a visa application: 7 to 10 calendar days after submission at any VFS application centre in India; as a general rule a decision is taken by the Consulate within 15 days, extendable in individual cases. The embassy's entry page separately states 10 to 15 calendar days at the moment of arrival at the Embassy." (source) The Visa Code sets 15 calendar days from an admissible application, extendable to 45 (Article 23).

Fee, as stated by the mission

"Embassy price list valid from 01-04-2026: visa adult (EUR 90.00) CHF 82.00 / INR 9,600; visa child 6 to 12 years (EUR 45.00) CHF 41.00 / INR 4,800; VFS Switzerland India shows the same INR amounts." (source) The euro amounts are fixed by Article 16: EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children six to eleven, free under six.

Switzerland's record for applications lodged in India

In 2025 Switzerland decided 226,044 applications lodged in India and refused 13.6% (all-India average 15.7%); 80.6% of visas issued were multiple-entry. Its consulates: Mumbai, New Delhi (13.6%). Which one handles you depends on your state of residence: see the Switzerland country page.