One week after going live, Switzerland’s outsourced intake for Schengen short-stay visas in the United States is fully operational, adding a consistent front-office process across four major cities.
As of October 1, 2025, US-based applicants who require a visa to visit Switzerland are lodging short-stay Schengen applications through VFS Global centres in New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, and Washington, DC. The rollout covers stays of up to 90 days and is designed to standardize intake before consular review.
Applicants begin online by completing the harmonized Schengen form and booking an appointment, then attend a centre to submit documents and enroll fingerprints. The partners say this sequence aims to reduce repeat visits and speed up first-line checks during peak demand. For context on overall system pressure, Schengen countries processed 11.7 million applications in 2024, a figure highlighted in recent coverage by SchengenVisaInfo.
Eligibility is unchanged. Legal residents of the United States who need a visa for Switzerland can apply through any of the four centres competent for their place of residence. Files may be submitted as early as six months before travel and no later than 15 business days prior to departure. Optional services, such as courier return or application notifications, are typically available at many locations, which can help applicants who cannot collect passports in person.
Travelers should also plan carefully to avoid errors that can be costly, a point underscored in reporting on fees lost to rejected filings across the bloc.
Swiss consulates continue to assess applications and issue decisions. VFS Global’s role is limited to administrative support, including secure document intake and biometric capture.
The setup mirrors a broader European shift to separate front-office handling from adjudication, and it coincides with the EU’s Entry/Exit System becoming operational on October 12, 2025, with a phased rollout across external borders over the following months.
We have been collaborating closely with the Swiss government since 2007. We are confident that the new service will support the rising demand for travel by making the application submission process smoother and more seamless.
Legal residents of the United States who require a visa to visit Switzerland are eligible to apply through these centres. Applicants should verify which office is competent for their itinerary and residence, and ensure their US residence permit remains valid long enough to cover the trip and return.
What Stays the Same, What Changes
The change is about where and how files are collected, not who decides them. Switzerland’s representations will continue to assess applications and issue visa decisions. What changes is a consistent intake process, with secure online forms, appointment scheduling, and biometric capture carried out by a single provider across all four cities.
For detailed instructions on eligibility, required documents, and step-by-step guidance, readers can read our comprehensive guide on how to apply for a Schengen visa from the United States.
