Switzerland Opened Its Doors For All Fully Vaccinated Indian Travelers

With the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) emergency use listing India made Covid-19 vaccine ‘Covaxin’, Switzerland has opened its doors for all Indian travelers who have been fully vaccinated with either the Covishield or Covaxin.

It must be noted that out of the 8 vaccines that have gotten the emergency use listing (EUL) approval from WHO, two are Indian vaccines- Covishield and Covaxin.

Now, a total of 96 countries have agreed to mutual acceptance of Indian vaccination certificates.

Notably, the Central European country has opened its borders for tourists vaccinated with two doses of Covishield starting June 23, 2021.

But, Indian who are vaccinated with ‘Covaxin’ made by Bharat Biotech are not allowed to enter the country as the Vaccine is not approved by the WHO.

Now, as the WHO gives a nod for Covaxin, all fully vaccinated adults need to only fill in an entry form and present their COVID certificate to authorities on arrival in Switzerland and are exempted from taking the test.

Passengers who have recovered from COVID-19 within the last six months are also exempted from tests and quarantine upon entering the country.

Guidelines For Passengers Traveling To Switzerland

For entering Switzerland with children or adolescents, travelers need to note the following:

• Children and adolescents need to fill in the entry form, which can be included in the entry form of the adult travelling with them.
• Children under the age of 16 are not required to provide proof of a negative coronavirus test on entering Switzerland. They are exempted from the test requirement on entry and the test requirement within 4-7 days of arrival. 

The above regulations are only applicable in Switzerland. Transit through other countries to Switzerland and visiting other Schengen countries internally from Switzerland might be restricted, depending on the travel regulations outlined by the respective country.

Travelers are advised to check with the authorities of concerned countries while planning their travel.

Switzerland Visa Update

The Embassy of Switzerland Visa Section in Delhi and VFS Global have started accepting applications for all types of Schengen Swiss visas, including Type C (entry and a stay of up to 90 days within a period of 180 days).

VFS is operational and accepting visa applications at the centers in New Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kochi, and Hyderabad. The travelers no longer have to be quarantined after arriving in Switzerland.

Applicants have to check with the airlines if a PCR test report is required for boarding the airplane. For further information, do contact our respective offices in Delhi and Mumbai.

Also Read: India To Increase International Flights Under Air Bubble Arrangement