Invitation letter format requirements

For a Swiss visa application based on an invitation from a resident (e.g., a daughter with a VNJ), the invitation letter does not require notarization. The official list of all necessary documents for a guest visa should be verified on the Swiss Embassy's official website.

For Swiss guest visas for Russian applicants, a common trend is issuance for specific travel dates, even for regular visitors. However, close relatives (spouses, children, parents, grandchildren) with established travel history to Switzerland have a higher chance of obtaining a multi-entry visa for one year or longer. The invitation letter should explicitly request a multi-year visa, state that the inviting party covers all expenses, and possibly outline planned visits throughout the requested period. While example dates for the immediate trip should be included, the request for maximum duration should be clear.

For a Swiss visa application based on an invitation, a printed PDF copy of the invitation letter is generally accepted. A successful applicant confirmed obtaining a visa with a PDF. It is crucial to verify the final text of the invitation against the official requirements on the Embassy of Switzerland's website, particularly regarding the invitee's passport number. Legally, an original document is not strictly required; the key is that the content of the letter aligns with the stated intentions.

Visa application for Switzerland: mothers and brothers received visas on June 29th. Mother was granted a one-year visa despite the invitation specifying only travel dates. Brother received a visa valid strictly for the travel dates as per the invitation. Observation suggests parents may receive longer-term visas while other relatives/friends are often issued visas for the specific travel duration.

Invitations for Swiss visas can be prepared in English. For example, an invitation submitted in a single copy and exclusively in English was accepted.