Embassy of Switzerland in Egypt 10, Abdel Khalek Sarwat Street B.O.

Box 633 11511 Cairo Phone: +20 (2) 2575 82 84 Fax: +20 (2) 2574 52 36 cai.vertretung@eda.admin.ch www.eda.admin.ch/cairo Visa Call Center : +20 2257 584 07 cai.visa@eda.admin.ch

Leaflet SWISS SCHENGEN VISA: VISITING FAMILY/ FRIENDS 1. General requirements and compulsory documents: (All requested documents have to be translated into German, French, Italian or English!)

Passport issued within the last 10 years and containing at least 2 blank pages. Passport must be valid for at least 3 months after return from the planned trip. Original and copy of current and previous passport covering the past 7 years. Copy of the biometric data page and copies of all non empty pages. For first time travelers, or in case of passport loss: A certificate from the Mogamma covering the past 7 years Visa application form duly filled in, dated and signed (Download:www.eda.admin.ch/cairo). 1 photo in color with white background (not older than 6 month!) requirements see www.eda.admin.ch/cairo For foreigners: residence permit (original and copy) Invitation letter signed by host family/ friends containing the following information: Full address and contact of the inviting host (phone number, e-mail) Mentioning the relationship (family or friend) between host and guest Duration and period of the planned visit Who will bear the living and all other costs related with the planned visit

Guarantee for the applicants return to Egypt Copy of the hosts Swiss resident permission or Swiss passport Certificate of employment, specifying the date of recruitment, position in the company and salary level If the applicant is an employee: Confirmation of leave approval For company owners: original and copy of the commercial registry and tax card Visa fees payable in EGP (Only the exact amount is accepted! No refundable in case of refusal or withdraw). Original bank statements for the past 6 months copied and translated. In the absence of bank account, proof of other assets has to be provided. Documents to be provided by pupils/ students: Proof of enrolment in school/ university Document to be provided by minors: If the minor travels without his/her legal guardian: consent of the parental authority (both parents) or legal guardian shall be provided either through a notarized certificate or by a form signed at the Embassy premises.

If the minor is travelling with one of his/her legal guardian: consent of the parental authority (parents not travelling with his/her minor child!) or legal guardian shall be provided either through a notarized certificate or by a form signed at the Embassy premises. International Travel Insurance covering the entire period of intended stay, valid for all Schengen States and covering any expenses which might arise in connection with repatriation for medical reasons, urgency medical attention, emergency hospital treatment or death during the stay. The minimum coverage must be EUR 30000.00 (original and copy) Important information: Applicants should be aware that insurance policies often contain references to significant exclusions or limitations in relation to activities, medical conditions

etc., for example in case of pre-existing illnesses, which limit the coverage offered or exclude it entirely. It is the responsibility of the applicants to check the policies before signing. The Embassy recommends insurances with full coverage, but cannot be held responsible if the insurance company refuses payment for non-covered services. Misunderstanding or problems between the insurance company and the insured person are a matter of private law.

General application rules:

The visa section of the Swiss Embassy accepts only visa applications with Switzerland as main travel destination! In case of multiple destinations the visa must be applied at the Embassy of the country where the longest stay will be! Prior the submission of visa requests an appointment fixed through our Call-Centre is requested. Appointments can be done only by phone +20 2257 584 07 on working days from 08:00 to 11:00 AM. Name, first name, date of birth and passport no. is required! th Since October 11 , 2011 biometric datas are required! In order to be able to take the biometric datas (fingerprints) all applicants are invited to present their complete visa request in person! Only complete visa request including all required documents according to the leaflet are accepted! If requested documents cant be provided by the applicants there must be instead a written explanation why the document isnt available! To be able to take a decision the Embassy can ask for additional documents or a personal interview with the applicant! The visa section of the Swiss Embassy will give information about visa requests only to the applicants him/her selves and only in written form! The visa fee will not be refunded in case of refusal or withdraw! Complains or questions are accepted only in written form to cai.visa@eda.admin.ch. An answer can be expected within two working days!

General application process/ time frame

Fix an appointment with our Call-Centre (Phone +20 02 257 584 07) Submit a complete visa request on the fixed appointment. (Appointments are available on working days from Sunday to Wednesday between 08:00 10:30 AM) Our security guards are responsible only for the entrance control and will give access to the visa section based on a daily appointment list. They will grant access only to applicants who are on time of their appointments! Accompanying persons, except for minors or disabled persons will not get access to the visa section. The local employees at the counter will check your file of completeness and capture your biometric datas. Complete requests will be accepted, registered and forwarded to a Swiss Officer who checks and decides the visa request based on the common Swiss and Schengen visa rules. The applicants will get a receipt which invites him/ her or a person of his trust to pick up the decision after 14 (fourteen) days from the submission date. The passport will be handed out only with the original receipt!

Urgent visa requests

Only visa requests with a high Swiss interest can expect a positive answer for an urgent treatment! (Political or urgent medical interventions) Requests must be submitted to the visa section by e-mail! (cai.visa@eda.admin.ch)

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Cairo, 01.02.2012

Visa Section Cairo

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