They post slots via Waitlist. It is managed by VFS and can be joined via VFS. They don't post available slots on the website.

⚠️ VFS Austria also represents Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Slovenia in Ireland

🤖 Notification service available

💡Information about the required documents can be found on the website

The status of the application can be tracked at the link

Who can apply from Ireland to Switzerland?

Do I need a visa? Check it here.

Customers who intend to travel to Austria, Switzerland, Lichtenstein or Slovenia purely for tourism purposes, i.e. visiting for leisure, recreation or sightseeing, and provide for their own accommodation (hotel, hostel, B&B, camping, …) must apply as a Tourist.

The customer must meet the following minimum criteria in order to be eligible to submit a Schengen visa application:

• They must hold a valid passport/travel document

• They must hold a valid Irish residence permit.

In case the customer holds a short stay visa for Ireland, Visa Type C (see example here), then the customer must apply for a Schengen visa from his/her country of residence.

They must apply for a Short Stay Visa (Tourist: including Minors, Visitor Family/Friends, Business, EEA/EU and Swiss national family member or Airport Transit)

Visa Types to Switzerland

Short Stay Visa

• Tourist

• Visitor Family/Friends

• Business

• EEA/EU and Swiss national family member

• Minors

• Airport Transit

Documents Required

⚠️ Please print out this Checklist and prepare the required documents accordingly, also prepare an additional copy of your Passport ID page for Passport Collection. Documents mentioned in the relevant check list must be brought to VFS, or their application may either be rejected or a decision significantly delayed.

For Minors, please click here.

1. STANDARD DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

   1. Visa application form (original) (see here) (signed on 3rd and 4th page as per passport signature).

   2. Passport (original).

      A signed passport, at least 2 blank pages for visa purposes, must be valid for at least 90 days beyond the return date of the trip to the Schengen Area and must be issued within 10 years of leaving the Schengen Area.

      Extended passport may still be valid, but when older than 10 years the passport is no longer acceptable; in which case the customer must apply for a new passport.

      Photocopies of previous Schengen visas endorsed in an old passport and issued within the last 3 years, if applicable.

   3. Irish Residence Permit

      Irish re-entry visa /Irish Residence permit/GNIB card, must be valid for at least three months beyond the intended departure date from the Schengen Area; a C type visitor visa (see here) is not acceptable.

   4. Photograph (original).

2. SUPPORTING DOCUMENTATION FOR SCHENGEN VISA APPLICATION

   1. Proof of current occupation

      1. Employer letter (original): recent (less than 10 days old), signed, headed letter (addressed to the Embassy, name and position of the signee and confirming customer’s employment).

      2. Student letter (original): recent (less than 10 days old) signed Irish university/college/school letter (addressed to the Embassy and confirming customer’s enrolment).

      3. Self- employment letter (original): recent (less than 10 days old) signed headed letter (addressed to the Embassy and confirming customer’s self-employment) obtained from:

         1. customer’s accountant: when customer’s company’s accounts are done by an external/independent accountant.

         2. Solicitor: when customer’s company was registered by a solicitor.

         3. Bank manager: when customer’s company opened a business bank account.

         4. Companies Registration Office: Certificate of Incorporation received upon registering business: if customer’s name is not mentioned on certificate, then additional proof demonstrating the relationship between the customer and the company should be provided.

         5. Tax authorities.

   2. Unemployed/retired

      1. Receiving Benefits: a letter of confirmation by the respective social welfare office thatstates that the office is aware of the intended trip.

      2. Not in receipt of Benefits: cover letter explaining customer’s financial status.

      3. Housewife/husband (only applicable to married couples): customer may be sponsored by their spouse/registered partner; in which case the following needs to be provided:

         1. marriage certificate (original + copy): in cases where this document was issued outside the EU and is not in English or German, it should be translated by a certified translator in the Ireland and must have an Apostille.

         2. spouse/registered partner’s passport (original + copy).

         3. spouse/registered partner’s proof of occupation.

         4. spouse/registered partner’s proof of funds.

         5. spouse/registered partner’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming sponsorship.

   3. Proof of funds

      1. Irish current account bank statements dated within the last 3 months, showing customer’s name, address and a positive closing balance dated within 1 week of the visa application submission date. The bank balance must show a sufficient amount to cover the expenses during the intended stay in the Schengen Area and for the return to Ireland or the country of origin/residence; alternatively online bank account printouts are also accepted.

      2. Payslips dated within the previous 3 months.

   4. Proof of travel (airplane, train, boat, coach, (hired) car)

      1. Confirmation of return travel tickets: mentioning customer’s name and travel dates to Austria/ Switzerland/Slovenia or Lichtenstein.

      2. When travelling by car: car registration, car insurance, return travel tickets (ferry or Eurotunnel) mentioning the car’s registration number and driver’s driving licence. If customer is not the driver, then driver’s cover letter (signed & dated) confirming joint travel with customer and travel dates must also be provided

      When travel tickets have been paid through travel agency, then a receipt, invoice or payment confirmation is required.

   5. Proof of accommodation

      Confirmed accommodation (hotel, hostel, camping,…) booking mentioning customer’s name, travel dates and accommodation address details.

      If the customer’s name is not mentioned on the accommodation reservation, then a joint travel confirmation letter, signed and dated by the person whose name is on the reservation, must also be provided along with a photocopy of that person’s passport/ID card + passport signature page, if signature is not on passport’s bio page.

      When accommodation is reserved for a group, then a list with the names of the group members will also be required; alternatively, the group members their names may also be mentioned on the travel ticket.

   6. Travel insurance (all-risk medical travel insurance and winter sports cover is mandatory from November to April).

      Please check the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) website to check the latest travel advise! Most travel insurances will not cover any claims for countries with status ‘Avoid non-essential travel’ and ‘do not travel’.

      Travel insurance clearly showing the customer’s name - must be valid throughout the complete territory of the Schengen Area and must cover the entire period of the customer’s intended stay in the Schengen Area; the minimum coverage for medical emergency and repatriation must be € 30.000,-- . Insurance certificates should be purchased in Ireland.

🚨 The documents may vary depending on the purpose and applicant's details 🚨

Step-by-Step Guide to the Application Process

• Identify visa type (Choose the right visa for your trip).

• Begin your application (Get started with your visa application).

  • In order to apply for Austria visa customers needs to provide a visa application form (VAF).(The application form cannot be hand filled). Therefore each customer first needs to duly complete and print the Schengen visa application form as follows:  Schengen Visa Application form (PDF format)

• Prepare Documents: Ensure all required documents are ready and properly organized.

• Book an Appointment:

  • Once you’ve booked your appointment, you’ll receive an appointment confirmation email along with the letter of appointment.

  • If you are part of a family or group, you’ll have to book individual appointments for each member of the family or group.

• Pay your fees:

  • Once you have filled your application online and paid the visa fee, please print the cover letter and payment fee receipt. This will be required for submitting your application at the Visa Application Centre.

  • Please note that besides the visa fee there is a service fee that you will need to pay, when you hand in your application at the Visa Application Centre.

• Submit Application: Submit your visa application with all the required documents at the scheduled time of your appointment.

• Track your application (Stay informed about the progress of your application). You can also track your visa application status online. Use the Reference Number present on the invoice/receipt issued by the Visa Application Centre along with your last name to access this service.

• Collect your passport: After a visa application decision has been made, you can pick up your passport from the Visa Application Centre.

Processing Time

Usually, processing time for visa applications is 10 working days (starting from the time when the Embassy or Consulate received the application, not including the transportation time), counting from when all requested documents have been submitted. This period may be extended in specific cases, notably when further scrutiny of the application is required, for example, when an applicant must come to an interview or submit additional documentation requested by the Embassy or Consulate. During certain times of the year, the processing time can be longer due to the high volume of applications. It is recommended to submit your visa application at least two weeks prior to date of travel date and if possible, even earlier ahead of the holiday period.

How to Book an Appointment for Schengen Visa to Switzerland from Ireland

Booking a slot for your visa application can be a daunting task, especially during high travel seasons. This is where Visard.io simplifies the process:

• Instant Slot Updates: Get notified as soon as slots become available.

• Time-Saving Features: Focus on preparing your documents while Visard.io handles the booking.