Do I need an appointment?

The Schengen representations require biometric data (finger scans and facial image) of persons applying for a Schengen visa. The data is being kept in the Visa Information System (VIS) for 5 years.

If your fingerprints have not been collected yet, personal appearance when applying for a Schengen visa is mandatory. If your finger scans were previously collected (within the last 5 years) and a visa with the mention "VIS" has been granted, then you won’t have to give new finger scans for your next visa application(s) and personal appearance is not mandatory.

You will still have to appear in person to give your fingerprints should the previously collected fingerprints prove to be of insufficient quality or should the Embassy wish to conduct an interview with you.

Finger scans are not required from children under the age of 12.

If you therefore do not need an appointment, please send us your application file (please see “Which documents should I submit with a Schengen visa application?”) together with the confirmation of payment of the visa fee by mail (not email). 

In case you need an appointment

As soon as you have gathered all the necessary documents (please see “Which documents should I submit with a Schengen visa application?”), you can contact the Embassy by email caracas@eda.admin.ch to arrange an appointment.

What are the Schengen visa requirements?

Schengen consultation

The Embassy must consult the central authorities of all Schengen member states before it issues a visa to nationals of one of the following countries:

Afghanistan, Algeria, Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, Belarus (applies only on holders of diplomatic or service passports), Democratic Republic of the Congo, Egypt (does not apply on holders of diplomatic or service passports), Eritrea, Ethiopia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kenya, Kyrgyzstan, (North) Korea, Lebanon, Libya, Mali, Morocco, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine, Russian Federation (applies only on holders of a service passports), Rwanda, Saudi Arabia (does not apply on holders of diplomatic passports), Somalia, Sri Lanka, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Vietnam, Yemen.

If you are holding a passport of one of the above listed countries, kindly note that the processing time of your Schengen visa might take longer than 15 days. We also consult the central authorities of all Schengen member states if the applicant is a refuge or stateless.