Important Information

Sample of the Business Travel Requirements for an India Visa for Swiss Citizens

1. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must: 

   • Have two blank facing visa pages
   • Be valid for six months beyond exit date

2. Photograph(s)

   Two colour photographs. The photographs must:

   • Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
   • Have a white background
   • Be taken within the last six months
   • Be identical

3. Business Introduction Letter

   You must provide an original Business Cover Letter from the applicant's Swiss employer. All letters must be printed on company letterhead that displays a Swiss postal address. Use the sample Business Cover Letter provided here to complete your letter.
   
   All Business Cover Letters must be addressed to the Embassy or Consulate. The address of the diplomatic missions can be found here
   

4. Letter of Invitation

   A letter of invitation from the company the applicant is visiting. A copy is acceptable. This letter must:

   • Be addressed to the Embassy of India in Bern
   • Be on company letterhead paper
   • Include the name of the applicant
   • State the purpose of journey
   • State the date of entry
   • Specify the requested number of entries and the length of visa required

5. Proof of Travel Arrangements

   A copy of the flight confirmation showing onward/return travel

6. Visa Application Form(s)

   One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:

   • Be completed online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
   • Be printed on two separate pages, forms that are copied back to back are not accepted
   • Be signed in the original on both pages in black ink only
   • Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
   • Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion
   • Must match the number of entries selected on the VisaCentral website
   • Have no handwritten changes

7. Consular Service Fees

   The Indian Visa Application Center charges an additionnal fee per application. This fee is 24.65 CHF

8. Previous Travels to China and/or Italy

   Applicants who travelled to China and/or Italy in the last ten years must additionally provide a fully completed and signed declaration form that can be found here.

9. VisaCentral Order Confirmation

   For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.

   
   For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed VisaCentral Visa Order Form which can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack should be submitted.

   
   Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process. 

10. Five year Multiple Entry Applicants

    Travellers applying for a five-year validity visa must additionally provide a copy of three previously issued Indian visas and a copy of the entry and exit stamps for each journey made to India within the validity of these three visas.

11. Former Indian Nationals

    Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will need to be submitted with the application. In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen

12. Charity and Media Professionals

    Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to twelve weeks and additional consular fees may be charged.

    Media related professionals must provide an original letter stating that no media related work will be undertaken whilst in India

13. Applicants Born Outside of Switzerland

    Visa approval for applicants of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Iraq, Iran, Nigeria, Somalia or Sri Lanka origin will be sought from officials in India. Passports will be retained by the Indian High Commission until approval is received. Processing time will be considerably longer and additional consular fees may be charged.

14. Applicants of Pakistani or Sri Lankan Origins

    Applicants of Pakistani and Sri Lankan origins are required to fill in a supplementary form. Please contact VisaCentral to request this form

Sample of the Tourist Travel Requirements for an India Visa for Swiss Citizens

1. Passport

   The applicant's actual passport. The passport must:

   • Have two blank facing visa pages
   • Be valid for six months beyond exit date

2. Photograph(s)

   Two colour photographs. The photographs must:

   • Measure 5cm x 5cm without including the borders
   • Have a white background
   • Be taken within the last six months
   • Be identical

   and

   One digital Indian passport sized photograph. The photograph must be uploaded with the online application form during the registration process and must be identical to the other photographs provided for the application. A guideline for uploading a digital photograph can be found at http://www.indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/ under the tab "Photo requirements"

3. Proof of Travel Arrangements

   A copy of the flight confirmation showing onward/return travel

4. Visa Application Form(s)

   One fully completed and signed application form. This form must:

   • Be completed online at https://indianvisaonline.gov.in/visa/index.html
   • Be printed on two separate pages, forms that are copied back to back are not accepted
   • Be signed in the original on both pages in black ink only
   • Bear a signature that matches the applicant's passport
   • Be submitted to the Embassy within 45 calendar days of completion
   • Must match the number of entries selected on the VisaCentral website
   • Indicate "Switzerland-Geneva" as the "Indian Mission"
   • Indicate the details of the last held passport or identity card of the applicant's previous or dual nationality, if applicable
   • Indicate the first port of entry which must match the first port of entry as shown in the proof of travel arrangements
   • Indicate under the "Previous Visit Details" the "Visa Number" and "Date of Issue" of the previous visa category, which can be obtained by contacting the Consulate of India. Applicants who have visited India before 2013 and are unable to provide this "Visa Number" must indicate "NO"

5. Previous Travels to China and/or Italy

   Applicants who travelled to China and/or Italy in the last ten years must additionally provide a fully completed and signed declaration form that can be found here.

6. VisaCentral Order Confirmation

   For orders placed on the VisaCentral website, a copy of the Online Order Confirmation which is sent to you via email, must be submitted.

   
   For all other orders, and where applicable, a completed VisaCentral Visa Order Form which can be found in the VisaCentral Application Pack should be submitted.

   
   Please note that all card payments will only be made upon completion of the visa application process. 

7. Former Indian Nationals

   Under the Indian law, people of Indian origin, who have acquired foreign nationality, are required to surrender their Indian passport to the High Commission of India before submitting their visa applications. Once this process is complete, a Surrender Certificate will be issued. A copy of this certificate will need to be submitted with the application. In case the applicant does not have the Indian passports in their possession for any reason, they are required to furnish duly notarised affidavit in this regard. A police report is also required if the passport has been declared lost or stolen

8. Charity and Media Professionals

   Visa approvals for applicants working in charity or media related professions will be referred to officials in India. As a result, processing time may extend for up to twelve weeks and additional consular fees may be charged.

   Media related professionals must provide an original letter stating that no media related work will be undertaken whilst in India

9. Applicants of Sri Lankan Origin

   Applicants of Sri Lankan origin are required to fill in a supplementary form. Please contact VisaCentral to request this form
   

10. Holders of More Than One Valid Passport

    Applicants who have indicated in the visa application form holding a second passport must provide a copy of this passport

11. Nationality Acquired by Naturalisation

    Applicants who acquired their nationality by naturalisation must provide the passport information of the nationality previously held. Shall the applicant not have this information on hand, a birth certificate will need to be provided.

12. Dual Nationals

    Applicants holding a valid Pakistani passport and another valid passport must apply for their visa with their Pakistani passport.