Published on 4 March 2026

Application for Schengen visa and procedure

• Visa application form

  SEM – Visa Application Form

Fill in and print your online application on the website: www.swiss-visa.ch

The appointment can only be booked after the online application is completed. The booking is free of charge.

The visa application must be submitted at least 45 days before the planned travel date and can be submitted six months before earliest. It is highly recommended to book an appointment at an early stage.

• Personal appearance

  All diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states in Ethiopia have to capture the biometric data (fingerprints and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data will be kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.

  If your fingerprints have not been collected yet, personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory.

  If your fingerprints were collected within the last 59 months, you won’t have to give new fingerprints for your next visa application(s) and personal appearance is not necessary. However you still have to authorize a third person to submit your application upon appointment. Please provide a copy of your visa sticker issued after the 06.06.2013. If you are not sure or do not remember whether your fingerprints have been captured for a Schengen visa within the last 59 months, you have to appear in person.

  You will still have to appear in person to give your fingerprints in case of previously collected fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality.

  Personal appearance and fingerprint collection is not necessary for children under the age of 12.

  The Swiss representation still reserves the right to ask the applicant to appear for a personal interview after checking the application.

• Documentation to submit with a Schengen visa application

  • Visit of Family and Friends

    PDF237.52 kB26 August 2025

  • Business and Conferences

    PDF226.77 kB26 August 2025

  • Official Visit

    PDF220.03 kB26 August 2025

  • Tourism

    PDF234.99 kB26 August 2025

  • Short-term Study and Research

    PDF226.69 kB26 August 2025

  • Medical Treatment

    PDF235.95 kB26 August 2025

  • Sport Events

    PDF238.89 kB26 August 2025

• Information for hosts in Switzerland

  • SEM – Number 8 (For hosts in Switzerland) of FAQ – Frequently asked questions
  • SEM – Factsheet on letter of invitation
  • SEM – Information on Declaration of Sponsorship

• Photograph quality

  International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) – MRTD Photo Guidelines

• Processing time of a visa application

  As a general rule, a decision is taken by the Consulate within 15 days. This period may, in individual cases, be extended.

  Some Schengen States require that they be consulted on visa applications submitted to other Schengen States by citizens of certain countries. The consultation process may take up to 14 calendar days. Such consultation is currently required for nationals of the countries listed here:

  List of countries

  It is therefore recommended to submit the visa application early, at the earliest 6 months before the planned journey.

• Refusal of a visa and appeal

  The reasons for refusal are notified to the applicant using a standard form.

  You have the right to appeal within 30 days of receipt of the refusal. For information on appeal procedures, please refer to the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration.

  SEM

In the event of a refusal, the Representation regrets that the decision on the visa application did not meet the expectations. However, the Representation would like to inform that the Migration Secretariat (SEM) in Switzerland is responsible for re-examining applications 30 days after notification of a refusal. Unfortunately, there is no fast-track procedure for this, as this processing time is the responsibility of the SEM and not the Representation.

The visa applicant, his representative with a valid power of attorney, his host in Switzerland or a company waiting for him in Switzerland may lodge an appeal with the SEM against a decision to refuse a visa within 30 days of notification. The appeal must be sent in an official Swiss language, signed and dated, either to the Representation that refused the visa or to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), CH-3003 Berne-Wabern. The SEM will issue a decision, which is subject to appeal, against an advance per person (see Schengen visa fees). This advance must be paid in accordance with the instructions of the Representation or the SEM.

• Biometric data acquisition

  Biometric data (fingerprints) are generally collected every 59 months from the age of 12 years from the first recording.

• Family members of CH, EU or EFTA nationals

  If you are a family member of a Swiss, European Union (EU) or European Free Trade Association (EFTA) citizen, you are entitled to submit your application directly at the responsible Embassy or Consulate of Switzerland. An appointment is mandatory and must be booked in advance.

  Citizens of the EU and the EFTA and their family members

• Complaints procedure

  If you wish to complain about the behavior of the consular staff and, if applicable, about the external service provider or about the process, please contact the competent representation in writing.

• Swiss citizens with dual nationalities

  No visas for dual citizens
  The Embassy of Switzerland in Addis Abeba does not issue a visa to a Swiss citizen or a citizen of a Schengen Member State who additionally holds the nationality of a third state and for holders of a valid Swiss residence permit (permit B or C).

• Questions?

  For questions not answered by our visa information sheets kindly send an email to [e-mail].