If you desire to remain in Switzerland for more than 90 days, you must apply for a residence permit. Hence, before you obtain a residence permit based on your citizenship, you are required to apply for a long-stay visa in Switzerland.
The Switzerland long-stay visa is also described as a national or a D- Visa. The Switzerland long-stay visa is utilized for third-generation citizens who desire to relocate to Switzerland to get employed, study, or be with loved ones. This differs from the Swiss Schengen Visa, which permits visits up to 90 days within six months. You are required to estimate the total number of days you can remain in Switzerland via the 90/180 rule estimator to prevent the overstaying law.
The Schengen visa conditions and prerequisites are the same for every Schengen nation, whereas the conditions for the long-stay visa are particular to Switzerland.
One thing that settlers may need clarification on is that they assume if they get a long-stay visa, they can remain in Switzerland long-term. Hence, the long-stay visa only permits third-nation citizens to go into Switzerland to apply for a residence permit. The residence permit permits you to settle and get employed in Switzerland for a long time.
THE TYPES OF SWITZERLAND LONG-STAY VISA
Based on your motive for desiring to relocate to Switzerland and get a Swiss residence permit, these are the kinds of long-stay Swiss visas you can make an application for:
- Switzerland Study Visas: you make an application for a Swiss Study visa if you desire to seek studies in Switzerland and have been approved by a Swiss academic institution beforehand.
- Switzerland Work Visas: If you desire to be permitted to work lawfully in Switzerland, you must apply for a Swiss work visa.
- Switzerland Family Reunion Visas: You can apply for a Swiss Family reunification visa if you possess a relative who is a Swiss national and permanent resident and desire to be among them.
- Switzerland Retirement Visas: If you plan to relocate to Switzerland to stay after retirement, you can apply for a Switzerland Retirement Visa.
The prerequisites and requirements for getting a visa are based on your intention to travel.
HOW TO APPLY FOR A LONG-STAY VISA IN SWITZERLAND
If you come from a nation that needs to apply for a Swiss long-stay visa, you are required to do so individually at the Swiss representation in your nation.
Many nations require nationals to apply for a long-stay visa in Switzerland. The nations excluded from this include Vatican City, Singapore, San Marino, New Zealand, Japan, Ireland, the United Kingdom, Brunei, Andorra, Romania, Cyprus, and Bulgaria.
Complete the application form.
You must download and complete the application form. Before you present the request, you must book at your nation’s Swiss consulate.
Ensure that you select the application form particular to your type of visa and observe the directions for completing it.
Complete the document file.
You are required to present all the documents needed for the Swiss visa together with the request form. The documents vary depending on your motive for getting a long-stay visa for Switzerland. For instance, if you desire to study, you may need to offer a document ascertaining you have been admitted into a Swiss academic institution. For employment, you will be required to indicate you possess a Swiss employer.
When applying for a Swiss Long-stay visa, you must satisfy the following requirements and possess the necessary documents.
- Three concluded, signed, and accurately dated application forms are required. They may be in German, Spanish, English, or Italian.
- Authentic passport with a minimum of two blank pages.
- Four photos. They are required to be passport-size and current.
Additional documents may be needed depending on your travel intention and the nation from which you are making an option.
After presenting the application
After you present your request, the Swiss consulate in your nation will send it to the competent cantonal migration office in Switzerland. If the cantonal migration office in the area you desire to settle allows it, you will get a visa.
After getting the Swiss Long-Stay visa
After you get your Swiss long-stay visa, you will have a restricted time limit for entering Switzerland. When you arrive, you must enroll at your resident’s Registration office to make plans to acquire your residence permit. You must do this within 14 days.
Switzerland possesses 26 cantons or provinces. Each province is accountable for providing residence permits for international citizens who desire to settle there. Therefore, if you desire to settle in a specific canton, you will be required to apply for your Swiss residence permit at the right cantonal migration office.
