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🇻🇳VIETNAM
🏳CHVN-CH

Do Vietnam passport holders need a visa to visit CH?

Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa to visit Switzerland for tourism. Apply through VFS Global in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City before departure. Vietnam is not on the Schengen visa-exemption list, so a Vietnamese ordinary passport holder must obtain a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa before traveling to Switzerland. Switzerland is part of the Schengen Area, so the visa permits stays of up to 90 days within any 180-day period across all Schengen states. Applications are lodged at Switzerland's external service provider, VFS Global, in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City. The standard visa fee is EUR 90, plus a VFS service charge; valid travel medical insurance (minimum EUR 30,000 coverage), proof of accommodation, round-trip flight reservation, and financial means are required. Standard processing is about 15 calendar days (up to 45 in some cases). Note: ETIAS does NOT apply to Vietnamese nationals — ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities, so Vietnamese travelers continue to need a full Schengen visa. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began rolling out on 10 April 2026 and registers biometrics at the Schengen border.
VISA REQUIREDTOURISMFLEXIBLE ENTRYLast verified 2026-05-30
For guidance only — visa rules change with little notice. Always confirm directly with the destination's embassy or foreign ministry before booking non-refundable travel. Information here applies to ordinary (non-diplomatic) passports unless noted.
/01 — The numbers

Key facts

Last verified 2026-05-30
Visa type
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C)
Maximum stay
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period
per entry
Entries
Single, double, or multiple (as granted)
from issue date
Visa fee
EUR 90 (plus VFS service fee)
consular fee only
Processing time
About 15 calendar days (up to 45)
standard track
Validity
Per visa sticker; covers all Schengen states
from issue date
/02 — The process

How to apply

/01
Determine the correct consulate
Apply to Switzerland if it is your main/only Schengen destination, or where you spend the most days. Vietnamese residents apply via VFS Global in Hanoi or Ho Chi Minh City.
· Switzerland = main destination
/02
Gather required documents
Complete the Schengen application form and collect passport, photos, travel insurance, flight and hotel bookings, bank statements, and employment/financial proof.
· Type C tourism
/03
Book a VFS Global appointment
Schedule an appointment online with VFS Global. Apply at least 15 days before travel and no earlier than 6 months in advance.
· VFS Global· Book early
/04
Submit application and biometrics
Attend in person to submit documents, pay the visa fee plus service charge, and provide fingerprints and a photo (biometrics).
· In-person· Biometrics
/05
Wait for processing
Standard processing is around 15 calendar days; complex cases may take up to 45 days. Track status via VFS Global.
· ~15 days
/06
Collect passport and travel
Retrieve your passport with the visa sticker, verify the dates and entries, then travel within the validity window.
· Check visa details
/03 — The paperwork

Required materials

10 items
Personalized checklist
0 / 10 complete
Passport valid 3+ months beyond departure, 2 blank pages
required
Completed and signed Schengen visa application form
required
Two recent biometric passport photos
required
Travel medical insurance, min. EUR 30,000 coverage
required
Round-trip flight reservation
required
Confirmed hotel/accommodation booking for full stay
required
Recent bank statements proving sufficient funds
required
Proof of employment / business / study
recommended
Detailed travel itinerary
recommended
Visa fee + VFS service fee payment
required
Track your progress · save & email a copy
/04 — The cost

Fee breakdown

All-in estimate
Line itemAmountSource
Schengen visa fee (adult)EUR 90Children 6-12: EUR 45; under 6 free
VFS Global service feeApprox. EUR 30-40Varies; paid in VND equivalent
Travel medical insuranceFrom EUR 30-60Min. EUR 30,000 coverage, full trip
Biometrics / optional servicesVariesCourier, SMS, premium lounge optional
Total estimateEUR 120EUR 190incl. all
/05 — The wait

Processing time

Extended review
Up to 45 days
Applies when additional documents or further examination are required.
/06 — The risks

Common refusal reasons

by frequency
/01
Vietnam is not Schengen visa-exempt
Vietnamese passport holders are on the Annex I (visa-required) list, so a full Schengen visa is mandatory for Switzerland.
High
/02
ETIAS does not apply
ETIAS is only for visa-exempt nationalities; Vietnamese travelers still need a Type C visa, not an ETIAS authorization.
Medium
/03
Switzerland is in the Schengen Area
The visa follows Schengen rules: 90 days within any 180-day period and validity across all Schengen states.
High
/04
Insurance is mandatory
Schengen rules require travel medical insurance with at least EUR 30,000 coverage to be granted a visa.
Medium
/05
EES biometric border checks
From 10 April 2026 the EU Entry/Exit System records biometrics at the Schengen border on entry and exit.
Low
/07 — On arrival

After you land

/01
Immigration
Keep your passport, visa or exemption proof, return ticket, and accommodation details ready for border inspection.
/02
Customs
Review the destination's customs rules before travel and declare restricted goods or large cash amounts when required.
/03
Connectivity
Check whether airport SIMs, eSIMs, or roaming are the best option for your route before arrival.
/08 — The history

Policy changelog

since 2024
2026-05-30
Vietnam to Switzerland route verified
Confirmed via the European Commission and Swiss FDFA that Vietnamese ordinary passport holders need a Schengen Type C short-stay visa (EUR 90) applied through VFS Global; verified ETIAS does not apply to visa-required nationals and noted the EES rollout from 10 April 2026.
/09 — The questions

Frequently asked

Can Vietnamese citizens visit Switzerland visa-free?
No. Vietnam is not on the Schengen visa-exemption list, so a Schengen short-stay (Type C) visa is required before travel.
Does ETIAS apply to Vietnamese travelers?+
How long can I stay in Switzerland on this visa?+
Where do I apply in Vietnam?+
How much does the visa cost?+
How early should I apply?+
/11 — Passport tools

Tools for the Vietnam passport

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