Swiss travelers are required to obtain a visa before entering India. Electronic visas were introduced to India in 2014, enabling nationals of 166 countries to apply online for a INDIAN VISA FOR SWISS CITIZENS, medical, or a business eVisa, including Swiss citizens.
Applying for the India visa for Swiss citizens is a simple and fast process that can be completed within approximately 15 minutes from anywhere in the world, providing the applicant has an internet connection.
What Visa Do I Need to Visit India from Switzerland?
Depending on the purpose of the visit, Swiss citizens can apply for an electronic tourist visa, business visa, or a medical visa.
The India tourist visa for Swiss citizens comes in 2 types. The 1-month e-Tourist visa is valid for 30 days and allows Swiss travelers to enter India twice in this time. The maximum stay in the country is 30 consecutive days.
The 1-year Indian e-Tourist visa for Swiss visitors is valid for 1 year from the date of issue. It allows multiple entries over a 365-day period, with stays lasting up to 90 consecutive days from the date of entrance.
The India business visa for Swiss citizens has the same 1-year validity period. However, the time allowed to stay in India with a business visa is longer. Nationals of Switzerland may spend up to 180 days in India with the e-Business visa. This can either be 180 consecutive days or a total of 180 days over multiple trips
The India medical visa for Swiss citizens, is a triple-entry INDIAN VISA FOR NEW ZEALAND CITIZENS. The first entry must be made within 30 days of issue. The Medical e-Visa is then valid for 60 days from the date of arrival and allows a maximum stay of 60 consecutive days. Swiss patients may alternatively use the visa to leave and return to India 2 further times during these 60 days of validity.
What Documents Do the Swiss Need to Get an Indian Visa?
Except for the online application, there are a number of documents required to be submitted for the electronic visa.
India visa requirements for citizens of Switzerland include the following:
- Passport, at least six months of remaining validity from the date of intended arrival
- Two blank passport pages for stamps
- Return plane ticket or onward journey ticket
- Proof of sufficient financial means during the stay in India
- Scanned Bio page of passport showing clear photography and personal details (name, date of birth, nationality, expiry date, etc.)
- Debit or credit card for the visa fee payment
- Recent front facing photograph with a white background
- Valid email address
Additional required documents may also include:
- Yellow Fever Vaccination Certificate if travelers are coming from affected countries
- Health insurance
How Long Does It Take for an Indian Visa to Be Approved?
The application for the India visa for Swiss citizens should be submitted at least 4 days prior to the intended trip.
It may take 2 to 4 business days to receive the approval for the India visa application. In case of approval, the traveler will receive the electronic visa at the email address provided. The approved visa should be printed and brought to the airport upon arrival. It is best to keep a copy of the approved electronic visa at all times during the stay in India.
The Indian eVisa cannot be extended or converted and is also not valid for visiting restricted or protected areas within Indian territory.
How Can Swiss Citizens Apply for an Indian Visa?
Applying for an India visa from Switzerland is a straightforward and fast process by simply filling in the online application form, completing the visa fee payment, and attaching the required documents. It eliminates the need to make appointments and attend interviews at embassies or consulates. The process of applying online does not take more than 15 minutes in total.
To get the visa approval, it usually takes up to 4 business days. The visa confirmation and status will be sent to the email address provided in the application form. Upon approval, travelers can plan on entering India through 28 airports and 5 seaports.
It is mandatory to travel with the same passport that has been used to apply for the online electronic Indian visa.