Switzerland is a small country located at the junction of Central, Southern, and Western Europe. Its measured pace of life, developed economy, environmental safety, minimal crime rate, and unique natural landscapes are obvious advantages of the country, historically formed as a Confederation. For a long time Switzerland has been among the “five” most prosperous countries in the world. Foreign visitors come to the Confederation not only to relax at its famous ski resorts but also to find well-paid jobs. Swiss universities are among the top prestigious institutions in Europe, making their graduates sought after in any country of the Old World. Many also come to the Confederation for medical treatment. Switzerland leads in life expectancy, with men living up to 80 years and women up to 85 years.
Local authorities are in no hurry to join international alliances, so the country is not a member of the EU. However, since 1996, the Confederation has been under the jurisdiction of the Schengen Agreement, complicating entry into the country for Russians. To legally cross the Swiss border, a Schengen visa is required. As in other EU countries, Switzerland has standard entry permit formats. If a short stay in the country is planned (up to 90 days within six months), a category "C" visa must be obtained. If the stay in Switzerland exceeds 90 days (within six months), documents for a category "D" visa should be submitted. For transit crossing of the national borders of the Confederation, a category "A" or "B" visa is issued (depending on the length of stay).
Visa applicants submit their applications to an outsourcing structure (the TLScontact service visa center), which ensures their delivery to the Swiss Embassy. TLScontact offices are located in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Rostov-on-Don, Novosibirsk, and Yekaterinburg.
Documents are submitted online. The standard application processing period does not exceed 7 working days. The period may vary depending on seasonal factors (demand for visa issuance increases in the autumn-winter period).
Entry permits are issued by the Embassy of Switzerland (Moscow, Ogorodnaya Sloboda Lane, 2/5, Entrance 1, from Gusyatnikov Lane).