I want to invite my mother to visit me in Switzerland. From the migration office website, I could not find an official invitation form (Application form is there but not an invitation form that I can write my details and invite her to here.) Any idea how to do that? Below is what I find on the mentioned webpage:
From reading that, it sounds like you just have to write an invitation letter yourself;
Letter of Invitation
No formal requirements are to be met for writing an invitation letter. However, it must be written in one of Switzerland’s official national languages (German, French, Italian, and Romansh) and contain at least the following information:
Confirmation by the host (business enterprise or private person), stating that the applicant has been invited
Contact number(s) and address(es) of the host and applicant (first and last name, date of birth, and citizenship)
The letter must be duly dated and signed (invitation letters by business enterprises must be signed by a person listed in the Companies Registry as authorized to sign)
The invitation letter may include additional information:
A note saying that the host will provide food and accommodation
Any further information on the reasons for the applicant’s visit to Switzerland
When applying to an embassy for a visa, applicants are required to prove (payroll voucher, bank statement) that they have sufficient money to cover travel expenses. If the host provides for travel expenses, accommodation and food, mention must be made too.
But, how is that possible? I can not believe that there is no official invitation form specially that Switzerland is now a part of Schengen area. All others (like Sweden as I did it many times when I was staying there) have such form s in their migration websites.
Maybe the Declaration of Sponsorship is itself kind of invitation letter. Could it be so or I am completely out of line? any idea?
1. Foreign visitors who require a visa must submit their applica-tion to the Swiss embassy/consulate responsible for their place of residence.
2. If the Swiss embassy/consulate requires a declaration of sponsorship, the foreign visitor must complete the relevant form and submit it to the guarantor.
3. The guarantor completes and signs the declaration, and then sends it with all the necessary documents to the cantonal or local authority responsible, or submits it to the authority in person, if required.
I have got an update on my question from a Non-EU friend who also invited her mother to Switzerland for couple of years ago. She also confirmed that there is no real invitation letter already existing in a pre-defined format and I have to just write something in my own words, but in German or French. She had done it in German and worked well. The important thing is that the letter should contain all the important information like the contact details of the host person. It is always recommended that the host sends docs like the home contract or the job contract as attached to this invitation letter.
Declaration of Sponsorship is also something which is only needed if a company or business branch wants to invite a business partner to here so you confirm to accept all the costs. For the case of family visitors it is not needed as long as they provide enough information and documents like their salary slips or property docs or bank statements showing that they really intend to go back to their home country after their short visit here in Switzerland.
Whilst this is for business, I guess the same applies for personal visits too. There's no official form, so we have a standard letter containing all the relevant information. We write the letter in English so that the recipient can understand what's in it and also send a copy to the Swiss consulate (though that might be less necessary). This has worked for many years.
I guess it depends on where she's coming from. For our friends and family from USA and UK who've come to visit over the decades, we've never had to do such a thing. They came in as tourists and that was that.
Americans and some other countries don’t need a visa when they come as tourists, but visitors from many other countries need a short term tourist visa to come to Switzerland.
If I am not totally wrong, you mean you would write the invitation letter in English and not German? Did it work for you? I ask because as I read on bfm.ch, it is clearly mentioned that the letter should be in one of the Swiss official languages (German, French, Italian and Romansh).
Did you need to provide the Declaration of Sponsorship letter for a such a normal visit (and not a business trip)? If yes, how would you do it Medea Fleecestealer?
Hi, as Tooki mentioned it depends on where she is coming from and where she will be submitting her visa application. We have invited family over the last couple of years with a self drafted invitation letter in English that accompanies their visa application.
A letter sample is below. This letter should also contain information about the exact dates of travel for the person who is coming. Also a copy of our permit and passport is attached. Hope this helps.
From:
___________
XXXX Zurich, Switzerland
To:
THE EMBASSY OF SWITZERLAND
CONSULAR SECTION
____________
DATE: __th _______, 2014
SUB: Visa for xxxxxxxx (passport holder no _________)
Dear Sir/Madam
My name is ________ and I hold ________ passport no _______ and currently reside at _______, Zurich, Switzerland. The scan copy of my apartment lease is attached for reference. I am working in Zurich since _______, 2012 for _________ on ____ permit (___________), copy my registration card is attached for your reference.
Mr __________, _______ passport holder no _______ is my father. He will be visiting us from ____ th _______ 2014 to ____th ______ 2014. During this time we intend to visit different Swiss cities. On ____th _____ 2014 he will be travelling back to ______.
During his stay in Zurich he will stay with us and I undertake his full responsibility.
In ________ his residence address is ____________________.
You are requested to kindly grant the visas to him.
1. Invitation letter has no official format and should be written in e.g. described by Jain.
2. This letter is also accepted in English though it is mentioned on bfm.ch that it should be in a Swiss official language.
3. Declaration of Sponsorship is not valid for thevisit of the relatives as long as they can show proof of financial support at the embassy when they apply.
I will keep you posted with the details of applications etc when I have my guest here in Switzerland.
I would try and get it done in one of the official languages if possible. What’s acceptable for business purposes may not be for a personal visit. If it were me I’d send in both languages, a Swiss one and English. But then I do tend to go for overkill sometimes.
PLEASE READ THIS AS I DID THIS A FEW MONTHS AGO AND REQUIREMENTS HAVE CHANGED RECENTLY
It depends where you are from, go to the webpage of the Swiss Embassy in your country and that is where you will find all the formats.
Until last year you could write a letter of invitation stating that you will cover her expenses while she is here, but from late last year there is a format for the letter and it looks more like a questionnaire now HTH
The request for a visa is done in the country of origin!!!
I would certainly include copies of as many of these docs as you can get (docs showing the ties your relative has to his or her home country). And have your visitor bring copies of them when they travel even though they will have already been issued a visitor visa. While it isn't a requirement it also doesn't hurt, just in case your visitor encounters a bit of difficulty with an immigration official upon arrival. Back when I worked in a Visas & Immigration office this is what we told folks. Remember, the visa does not guarantee entry, it just allows it. You want to make your relative's trip as smooth as possible and to ease any concerns the officers at the port of entry may have.
I would like my parents to visit me for a month of time and now i am in process of applying their VISA. according to website it is said
"Required documents (from the host / sponsor) who is in possession of a B or C
Permit or a Swiss national
An invitation letter (to be faxed directly to this Consulate General on [0091-22-2285 65 66](tel:0091-22-2285%2065%2066) [0091-22-2285 65 66](tel:0091-22-2285%2065%2066) or [0091-22-2285 06 26](tel:0091-22-2285%2006%2026) [0091-22-2285 06 26](tel:0091-22-2285%2006%2026) ) by the host in Switzerland mentioning name, duration of stay,guarantee of expenses(for example, updated banking statement) along with copy of
Swiss passport or residence permit.
A Declaration of guarantee form may be given if the financial situation is not sufficient"
I am having a B permit (non-EU) and living in 3.5 room apartment. What is not clear according to document is if there is any minimum balance i need to show on my bank statement.
Over the last couple of years we have always sent invitation / sponsored letters for our parents. The letter mentions that all expenses will be borne by us. We have not faced any issues or questions with regards to the amount in the bank. Also mention in the letter that they will be carrying their travel and medical insurance.