Embassy of Switzerland in Ethiopia

Checklist for the issuance of a SCHENGEN Visa for BUSINESS, TRAINING, WORKSHOP

� The visa application must be submitted at least 15 days before the planned travel date and can be submitted three months before earliest. It is highly recommended to book an appointment at an early stage

� The processing time for a visa application is from three to fifteen calendar days. If necessary, the processing time may be extended to max. thirty calendar days

� Please make sure that you have all the necessary documents when you apply. Incomplete applications will not be accepted and a new appointment will have to be made

� Please bring the originals documents and provide the Embassy with clear photocopies � Please note that documents written in Amharic must be translated into English � Foreigners residing in Ethiopia, Djibouti or South Sudan must present the original and copy of

their residence permit � One (1) visa application form , which must be complete, filled out properly and signed by the

applicant (write in block letters and use black or blue ink only). The form may be obtained for free from the Embassy, filled in on-line on www.swiss-visa.ch or downloaded from the website https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/einreise/visumantragsformular.html.

� One (1) recent clear and colored passport-sized photo (with white/grey background) � Valid passport (must be valid at least three (3) months from the end of the approved duration

of stay and contain at least two (2) blank visa pages) and previous passport in original � One (1) photocopy of valid passport � One (1) photocopy of all visas (valid and expired) � A signed invitation letter sent directly to the Embassy by fax or as an e-mail attachment by

the business partner in Switzerland containing the complete details of the travel arranged by the host company (purpose, duration of stay, travel and accommodation arrangements as well as financial guarantee).

� If employed: a signed letter of employer with leave approval showing position, date of hiring,

salary and date of return to work. Please attach the recent pay slips for the last three (3) months.

� If self-employed: a signed letter of the company together with proof of business (business

certificate, recent certified bank statement for the last three (3) months). � If student: a signed letter of proof of enrolment, leave of absence from school � Proof of financial resources of the applicant: recent certified bank book and bank statement

for the last three (3) months, vehicle title, property title. � If traveling with spouse and/or children: One (1) photocopy of marriage certificate and/or birth

certificates of the children. � Flight reservation (round-trip). Do not buy an airline ticket until told by the Embassy. � Travel insurance (may be purchased locally or in Switzerland - must have written proof of

coverage of at least EUR 30’000.00). The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen area including entry and exit day.

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* if purchased locally, only the following local insurance companies comply with the Schengen visa code and are therefore accepted:

� Africa � NIB � Oromia � Awash � Nile � United � Global � Nyala � Ethiopian Insurance Corporation � Lion VISA FEE

� Visa fee for adults: ETB 1’480.00 � Visa fee for children from six (6) to twelve (12) years old: ETB 860.00 � No visa fee for children below the age of six (6) years

The fee has to be paid in cash at the moment of the application. The visa fee is not refunded if the application is withdrawn or the visa refused. Due to exchange rate fluctuations, the Swiss representation reserves the right to adapt the amounts at any time.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION In particular cases, the Embassy explicitly reserves the right � to request more information or additional documents � to send the application to the Swiss Federal authority for decision The Embassy does not assume any responsibility should the visa application be refused.