How to Apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa Via Switzerland Embassy (Nairobi, Kenya)

If you’re looking to apply for a Schengen Visa as a tourist through the Switzerland Embassy in Kenya, then this guide should be of help to you.

But first, a disclaimer:

I CANNOT guarantee that your Schengen Visa application through the Switzerland Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya will be approved by following this guide to a T. Getting a visa or not is at the sole discretion of the Swiss Embassy consular officer who will attend to your documents.

All I am offering here is a comprehensive guide with actionable tips to increase your odds of getting the Switzerland visa from here in Kenya.

Okay, since we’ve taken care of that, let’s move on…

What is a Schengen Visa?

A Schengen Visa is a special visa issued by any one of the 26 Schengen member countries that allows the holder to travel freely within the Schengen territory for a maximum period of up to 90 days within a 6 month period.

As Kenyan passport holder therefore, you need to apply for this visa in order to visit one or more of these Schengen states. 

The main advantage of having a Schengen visa as a Kenya passport holder is that with it you can enter other non-Schengen member states in Europe that you would ordinarily need a visa to enter into.

Some of these non-Schengen member countries  that allows Kenyans to visit with Schengen visa include: Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Macedonia, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Turkey, and Vatican City.

HOWEVER, make sure to first check with the various country’s embassy for any changes or updates in the visa rules. Plus, ordinarily, you need a multiple-entry Schengen visa previously used in a Schengen state to make it valid. You can check my other post here for additional details on countries that Kenyans can visit visa-free with a Schengen visa.

When should I apply for my Schengen Visa for Switzerland?

The minimum time for processing Schengen applications via Swiss Embassy in Nairobi is 10 working days.

My personal suggestion therefore is to apply as early as three (3) months from your planned date of travel to Switzerland.

In which Schengen country embassy do Kenyans have a higher chance of getting their Visas approved?

To be honest, all embassies are looking for two main things when checking out your Schengen visa application.

1. Are you a genuine tourisit/visitor? As in, do you trully intend to return to Kenya at the end of your visa’s validity ama you have some genuine agenda?
2. Do you have the money to pay for your return trip and fund your stay at the destination.

So, the odds of getting your Schengen visa approved is hinged on how best you can prove the above two things to the consular officer handling your application.

Having said that, in my experience, the Embassy of France in Kenya has always offered me the quickest turn around time (I applied for my current visa on a Wednesday and got back my passport with visa on the next Friday!). It is also through the French Embassy in Kenya that I got the longest visa period validity – 2 years… yep!

How to Apply for a Schengen Tourist Visa Via Switzerland Embassy 

Step 1: Find out the type of Schengen visa you need to apply for.

There are various types of Schengen visas that you can apply for: study visa, business visa, as spouse of a Swiss national,etc. 

However, this guide will focus only on the Switzerland visa requirements and process for Kenyan citizens.

For all your other non-tourist Schengen visa application from Kenya requirements, kindly contact the Swiss embassy in Kenya directly for the requirements.

But remember to always consult with the Switzerland embassy or their website for any updates or changes through email at :nairobi.visa@eda.admin.ch on Phone at +254 730 694 000; or in person at:

Embassy of Switzerland physical address

Rosslyn Green Estate
Rosslyn Green Drive, off Red Hill Road
Nairobi

Step 2: Prepare the documents for your Switzerland visa application requirements for Kenyan nationals

P.S.

Please bring the original documents and provide the Embassy with clear double sided
photocopies. Do not staple the documents together.

1. One (1) visa application form

   • found on the Swiss Embassy website: http://www.swiss-visa.ch which must be
     completed and properly filled-in, saved as PDF, printed and then signed by the applicant.

2. One (1) recent clear and coloured passport-size photo

   • (with white/grey background; Please do not staple the photo on the form.)

3. Valid passport

   • (Must be valid at least 3 months from the end of the approved duration stay;
     must contain at least 2 blank visa pages).

4. Previous passport in original

   • if a new passport has been issued within the last 3 years.

5. Photocopy of valid passport + National ID Card

   • (page containing holder’s photo and personal
     information, important reminders, signature page and other passport information)

6. Photocopy of all visas

   • (valid and expired for the past three years.)

7. Foreign nationals residing in Kenya: a copy of valid Kenya Residence Permit.

   • Please note the validity must exceed the planned stay in the Member States with at least three months.

8. Proof of accommodation:

   • confirmed hotel booking, complete with names and contact details of the hotel and hotel voucher.
   • I prefer using online aggregation sites e.g. AirBnB, Booking.com, etc. I love Booking.com as it has very many hotel selections that allow for free cancellation so this works in case your visa is denied. I use Booking.com to compare prices then head over to the hotel website to check if there’s a cheaper option before finalizing the booking. The advantage of using Booking.com is that most hotels allow free cancellations before a certain date and don’t ask for pre-payment. The advantage with AirBnB on the other hand is that you can negotiate with your host and also most properties have cancellation options.
   • These work especially in the unfortunate event that a visa is denied. Its also advantageous in that the visa may be granted all the same, but your circumstances change and you want to change hotels without cost implications.

9. Tour Itinerary of planned trip

   • schedule of activities of planned trip / schedule of activities

10. Computer printout of air travel itinerary

    • Do not yet buy an airline ticket. The Embassy cannot be held responsible for any financial losses in case you have to return it)
    • Click here for more information on different ways you can make a flight reservation or book a confirmed ticket reservation for your Swiss Switzerland Schengen visa application in Kenya without paying for an actual flight ticket.
    • 

11. Proof of financial resources of the applicant:

    • Recent pay slips + a recent certified bank
      statement for the last 3 months.

12. If employed: A signed employer’s letter,

    • dated, with contact details of employer and personal data of the applicant, leave of absence from the local company or organization showing position, salary, date of hiring, type of employment (permanent or temporary), date of return to work, purpose of visit as well as financial guarantee.
    • If finances are met by the local company, a recent certified bank statement for the last 3 months

13. If retired: Please submit documents proving your pension or other financial support.

    • Any other documents relating to your personal establishment in Kenya like title deeds or lease agreements.

14. If self-employed: A signed letter of company together with proof of business

    • (Pin Certificate, Registration Certificate/Business Licence) and a certified bank statement for the last 3 months

15. If student: A signed letter of school

    • containing the student and parent’s names, date enrolled, grade, leave of absence from the school, number of years at school, school holidays, contact details and name of school representative.

16. A signed letter from spouse, photocopy of passport, marriage certificate & birth certificates of the children:

    • If travelling with or without spouse and/or children

17. International travel insurance

    • (May be purchased locally or in Switzerland; must have Written proof of coverage of at least EUR 30’000.– / USD 50’000.– / CHF 50’000.– to cover expenses for personal accident, urgent medical treatment, urgent admission in a hospital or urgent repatriation on medical grounds; with coverage including ALL Schengen member states).
    • The insurance has to cover the entire stay in the Schengen area including entry and exit day.
    • Here is List of accepted Schengen approved Insurance companies for locally purchased travel insurance policies are available on the Swiss Embassy in Kenya website:

STEP 3: Fill out & submit your Schengen visa application online

The Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya encourages all applicants to make use of the online-application at https://www.swiss-visa.ch/register/i240_select_comm_view.action. to be served first.

• To complete the visa application form for a Schengen visa (up to 90 days) online and then make an appointment at the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya for the submission of the visa application documents and the registration of your fingerprints, if needed: select “Online application”;
• Please print your E-Payment receipt when submitting your Online Visa application form

STEP 4: Book your appointment

• You can  apply for your Schengen visa via Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya and book an appointment  ONLINE 5 weeks before intended travel date.
• You must submit the complete C visa application before seeking an appointment at the following website address: www.swiss-visa.ch
• To make only an appointment at the Embassy of Switzerland in Kenya online for the submission of the visa application documents and the registration of your fingerprints, if needed: select “Make an appointment” via the online-application at https://www.swiss-visa.ch/register/i240_select_comm_view.action.
• Alternatively, send an e-mail to Visa Appointment department at nairobi.visaappointment@eda.admin.ch

STEP 5: Attending your visa appointment

How to make an appointment:

• If your finger prints have not been captured, personal appearance is mandatory when applying for a
  Schengen visa.
• Fingerprint scan is not necessary for children under the age of 12 years.
• If your finger scans were collected within the last 59 months, then 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 book an appointment for the application to be lodged by yourself or your representative and you have to provide a copy of your visa sticker.
• 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 the previously collected
  fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality.
• The Swiss representation still reserves the right to ask the applicant to appear for a personal interview
  after checking his application.

Schengen Visa Processing Fees

for adults: EURO 60.–
for children from 6 to 12 years old: EURO 35.–

• Visa fee is paid cash in Kenyan Shilling according to the exchange rate of the day.
  (Please prepare the exact amount in Kenyan Shillings in order to avoid delay).
• In case of application finally being rejected or withdrawn the fee is not reimbursed.

Schengen Visa Processing and Issuance via Swiss Embassy in Kenya:

at least 15 calendar days to 4 weeks

• For inquiry of application status email your visa file number to: nai.visa@eda.admin.ch
• Contact information of the Visa Section (Embassy of Switzerland in Nairobi)
  Address Rosslyn Green Drive,
  off Red Hill Road
  P.O. Box 2600
  Nairobi 00621
  KENYA
• Visiting Hours Monday to Thursday, 08:00 AM – 11:00 AM
• Visa enquiries Telephone Monday to Thursday, 13.30 PM – 15.00 PM.
  (+254) 708 168 982
• Visa enquiries Email nai.visa@eda.admin.ch
• Visa appointment Email nai.visaappointment@eda.admin.ch
• Website www.eda.admin.ch/nairobi

Photo credits: Unsplash