Excellent service! The agency helped me with every step of getting my Hayya Visa quickly and smoothly. All information was accurate and clear. Highly recommended! 🤩
- Free consultationbefore you apply
- Consultation & file prepYou submit to the embassy — we support
This page has a full step-by-step guide so you can apply to the embassy on your own. But one mistake on the form, a missing translation, or a weak financial file can cost you the visa. Call us first — your consultation is free. We review your case, prepare the complete file with correct forms, certified translation, and embassy-grade travel insurance, and coach you for the interview — so when you submit, your file is at its strongest. The visa decision and issue date rest solely with the embassy.
In cooperation with the Swiss Embassy and according to its standards, Trip Away offers an end-to-end service for obtaining a Schengen visa to visit Switzerland and the rest of the Schengen Area (29 European countries). We prepare the full file and submit it through certified VFS Global with comprehensive consultation to improve approval chances.
Requirements
- Original passport valid for at least 6 months past your return from Schengen
- Old passports and any previous visas (if available)
- Saudi bank statement stamped for the last 6 months in English
- Two recent passport-size photos with a white background (3.5×4.5 cm)
- Salary letter — chamber-of-commerce certified for private-sector employers; no certification needed for government employers
- National ID for Saudi nationals (from Absher or Tawakkalna)
- National address from Absher
- Iqama copy from Absher, valid for 6 months and at least 3 months past your return date from Schengen (for residents)
- Employment contract from the Qiwa platform (for residents)
- Social-insurance certificate from GOSI (for residents)
Some requirements vary by visa type — contact us so we can determine the right category and start preparing your file.
Embassy appointments
Once your documents are complete, we book an appointment at the VFS Global centre for biometrics and file submission. We handle the booking and accompany you at every step.
Visa types
We assist Saudi nationals and residents with every Swiss Schengen visa category — pick the option that matches your travel purpose:
Tourist Visa (Type C)
For leisure travel and sightseeing in Switzerland for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.
Family & Friends Visit Visa
For visiting relatives or friends with a notarised invitation from the Swiss host.
Business Visa
For attending meetings and conferences with an official invitation from the Swiss business host.
Cultural & Sports Visa
For taking part in cultural, sporting, scientific, or religious events.
Medical Visa (Short-stay visa)
Issued for the purpose of receiving treatment at Swiss hospitals. Classified as a short-stay visa, with stays not exceeding 90 days. Requires detailed medical reports plus an official invitation or booking confirmation from the relevant hospital.
Embassy
📍 Diplomatic Quarter, P.O. Box 94311, Riyadh 11693 – Saudi Arabia
📞 +966 11 488 1291
Application steps
Choose the right Swiss visa type
Start by identifying the visa category that matches your purpose of travel — tourism, family visit, business, medical, or study. All Switzerland visa applications from Saudi Arabia residents are submitted through VFS Global centres for Switzerland visas as the official partner of the Swiss Embassy in Riyadh. See the official application guide on the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs site.
Create an account and fill the application
Register on the VFS Switzerland portal and complete the Schengen application form online. Make sure your name, passport details, and travel dates match your original documents — formal errors in the form are one of the most common refusal reasons.
Prepare the required documents
Review the "Where to apply for a Schengen visa" page from the Swiss Embassy, and prepare:
- Passport valid for 3 months past departure, with two blank pages, issued within the last 10 years.
- Iqama copy (for residents) or Saudi national ID (for Saudi nationals).
- Bank statement stamped for the last 3 months.
- Letter from your employer + recent salary certificate.
- Round-trip flight booking and hotel reservation covering the entire stay.
- Schengen travel insurance with a minimum coverage of €30,000.
- Recent photo to Schengen specifications.
In-person attendance is mandatory at submission.Book the biometrics appointment at VFS Global
Book your appointment via the VFS Switzerland portal at one of three centres:
- Riyadh.
- Jeddah.
- Khobar/Dammam: as of 3 September 2023, the VFS centre address is LuLu Mall, King Fahd Road, Street 18, Dammam.
Booking at least 15 days before travel is recommended; you can apply up to 6 months before travel.Attend the appointment and pay the fees
At your appointment ten-finger biometrics and a face photo are taken, the file is reviewed, and your passport is retained. The embassy fee (Schengen) and VFS service fee are paid at the centre in cash or by card. Biometrics are mandatory for anyone aged 12 and above; the procedure takes about 15–20 minutes inside the centre.
Track processing at the Swiss Embassy
Your file is referred to the Swiss Embassy in Riyadh, which is responsible for issuing the visa decision. The decision is usually issued within 15 working days, and may extend to 45 days in additional cases. Applications submitted in Jeddah or Dammam take an additional ~48 hours for file transfer. Track your application via the VFS account you created at booking.
Collect your passport and visa
When the decision is issued, your passport is returned to the VFS centre where you applied. Collect it in person with your ID, or request home delivery if available in your city. Before travelling, check the visa data (name, number of entries, validity dates) and keep copies of your bookings and insurance for the border.
FAQ
What is a Schengen visa?
A unified visa that allows entry to 29 European countries within the Schengen area on a single visa, with a stay of up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
How long is a Schengen visa valid?
Usually granted short-term (up to 3 months) with single or multiple entries. In some cases it can be issued for longer — up to 5 years.
Can I travel between Schengen countries on a single visa?
Yes, a Schengen visa allows entry to and free travel between all 29 Schengen countries with no extra visa required.
What is the most common reason for refusal?
Weak ties to Saudi Arabia, failing to convince the embassy you will return, weak financial standing, or incomplete documents. We strengthen your file before submission.
Does the application require a personal interview?
Usually not — most applications are decided on the documents. In special cases the embassy may request an interview.