🇨🇭 Switzerland Family Visit Visa
Dear visitor, welcome to our Switzerland Family Visit Visa page.
Applicants who wish to travel to Switzerland for family, relative, or friend visits must apply under the short-term Schengen visa category. During the application process, it is very important that the documents are prepared completely in accordance with the applicant’s personal and professional status. For 2025, the Swiss Consulate evaluates applications based on individual circumstances and may request additional documents, especially the Declaration of Commitment (Verpflichtungserklärung).
🏝 Switzerland Family Visit Visa Application Process
Applicants must submit a valid invitation letter from the host residing in Switzerland, which includes travel dates and accommodation details. In this category, hotel reservations are not required, since accommodation will be provided by the host. Flight reservations must be presented, but purchasing tickets is not mandatory unless specifically requested by the consulate.
Applications are usually concluded within 7–10 business days. However, official holidays, consular workload, or requests for additional documents may extend the processing period. Fingerprint registration at the visa application center is mandatory. Applicants who have provided fingerprints for Schengen visas within the last 5 years may submit their applications by proxy, depending on exemption status.
📌 Switzerland Family, Relative, Friend Visit Visa and the Declaration of Commitment
In addition to the invitation letter, the Swiss Consulate may request a Declaration of Commitment for family or friend visits. This document is not an invitation but an official guarantee from the host in Switzerland, covering the visitor’s accommodation and possible expenses up to 30,000 CHF.
The host must be a Swiss or Liechtenstein citizen or hold a valid residence permit in either country. The document must be completed by both the applicant and the host, then submitted to the cantonal or municipal authorities in Switzerland. Once approved, it is registered in the Immigration Information System and reported to the Swiss Consulate in Istanbul, which makes the final visa decision.
The Declaration of Commitment must be filled out legibly with black or blue ink. After the applicant completes the relevant sections, the document should be sent via e-mail or fax to the host, who will complete the required sections and submit it to the local authorities. Once approved, the consulate may request updated flight reservations and travel insurance to finalize the visa application.
📝 Required Documents for Switzerland Family Visit Visa (2025)
Standard Documents
- Passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned travel, with blank pages available
- Two biometric photographs (35x45 mm, white background, recent, not used in a previous visa application)
- Invitation letter written in German or English, including the host’s personal details, Swiss ID/passport copy, accommodation details, and travel period
- Visa request letter addressed to the consulate, stamped and signed, including travel details
- Declaration of Commitment (if requested by the consulate after the application)
For Company Owners and Employees
- Copy of ID, full population registration document, passport, biometric photos
- Company documents: certificate of activity, tax registration certificate, signature circular, trade registry gazette
- SGK social security statement (for employees: 4A; for company owners: 4B/4C)
- Payroll slips for the last 3 months (stamped and signed), bank account statement
For Students and Housewives
- Copy of ID, population registration document, passport, biometric photo
- Student certificate (for students only)
- Bank account statement (last 3 months, showing at least 70,000 TL balance)
- Sponsors (parents, spouse, relatives) must also submit documents according to their professional status
For Retirees and Public Employees
- Copy of ID, passport, biometric photo, population registration document
- For retirees: retirement card and bank account statement
- For public employees: employment certificate, official leave letter, and copy of service ID card
For Self-Employed Professionals (Doctors, Engineers, Pharmacists, Architects)
- Copy of ID, passport, biometric photo, population registration document
- Professional chamber registration documents, SGK employment declaration
- Personal visa request letter, bank account statement
🕒 Switzerland Family Visit Visa Processing Time
Switzerland family visit visa applications are usually processed within 7–10 business days. However, official holidays, heavy workloads, and additional document requests may extend the timeframe. Once the Declaration of Commitment is submitted to the consulate, updated flight reservations and travel health insurance must also be presented.
📌 Important Notes
- The consulate may request additional documents or invite you for an interview.
- All documents must be current, complete, and original.
- If the applicant plans to travel to other Schengen countries after Switzerland, all travel and accommodation reservations must be presented.
- Travel health insurance is mandatory, with a minimum coverage of €30,000, valid throughout all Schengen countries.