Swiss Embassy in New Delhi

Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi, India

EmbassySwitzerlandNew DelhiIndia

Overview

The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi serves as Switzerland's principal diplomatic mission in India, located in the diplomatic enclave of Chanakyapuri in New Delhi. The embassy provides comprehensive consular services to Swiss nationals throughout northern and eastern India as well as Bhutan, processes visa applications for Indian residents traveling to Switzerland and the Schengen Area, and facilitates bilateral relations between Switzerland and India in areas including trade and investment, economic cooperation, development cooperation, scientific research, innovation and technology, education, cultural exchange, and people-to-people ties. Switzerland and India established diplomatic relations in 1947, shortly after India's independence, and maintain a strong bilateral partnership characterized by economic ties, scientific collaboration, development cooperation, and shared democratic values. Switzerland is one of India's most important economic partners in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 27 billion in 2024, making Switzerland one of India's largest trading partners in Europe and India being Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in Asia after China. A historic milestone was reached on March 10, 2024, when India and the EFTA States (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein) signed the Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA), which came into force in October 2025. This agreement, India's first comprehensive trade agreement with European countries, commits EFTA states to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years and create one million jobs while providing Indian exporters improved market access to EFTA markets. Switzerland is India's 12th-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment with cumulative FDI totaling CHF 7.3 billion (approximately USD 8 billion) at end-2022. Approximately 330 Swiss companies operate in India across sectors including pharmaceuticals (Novartis, Roche), food and beverages (Nestlé), engineering and industrial equipment (ABB, Schindler, Bühler), construction materials (Holcim), chemicals and agrochemicals (Syngenta, Clariant), financial services (UBS, Credit Suisse now UBS, Zurich Insurance), luxury goods (Richemont brands including Cartier, Montblanc, Piaget), watchmaking (Swatch Group, Rolex, Patek Philippe through authorized dealers), and technology. These Swiss companies employ over 166,000 people in India and have integrated into Indian manufacturing, R&D, and services sectors. Switzerland maintains diplomatic missions in New Delhi (Embassy), Mumbai (Consulate General serving western India including Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), Bengaluru (Consulate General serving southern India including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), Kolkata (Honorary Consulate serving eastern India), and Chennai (Honorary Consulate). The Swiss diaspora in India includes business professionals (executives of Swiss multinational companies), engineers and technical experts (particularly in manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, engineering sectors), financial services professionals, development cooperation personnel (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation staff), students and researchers, watchmaking and luxury goods sector professionals, and families, concentrated in major metros including Delhi NCR, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Pune, and Chennai.
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Visa Services

Indian citizens require a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland for tourism, business, family visits, cultural events, conferences, or short-term purposes up to 90 days within any 180-day period. Switzerland, as a Schengen Area member, issues Schengen visas valid for travel throughout the 27 Schengen countries. Visa applications are processed through VFS Global, Switzerland's authorized visa application service provider in India, with visa application centers in 12 cities: Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore (Bengaluru), Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kochi (Cochin), and Puducherry. Applicants must schedule appointments online through www.vfsglobal.ch/switzerland/india. All applications are forwarded to the embassy on the 2nd or 3rd working day after submission at VFS Global. Processing times typically range from 10-15 calendar days from arrival at the embassy, though applicants should allow sufficient time as complex cases may require longer. Applications can be submitted not earlier than 6 months prior to intended entry date to Schengen states. Schengen visa applicants must submit valid passport (with minimum 3 months validity beyond intended departure from Schengen Area and issued within last 10 years), completed Schengen visa application form with signature, recent passport-size photographs meeting Schengen specifications (35x45mm, white background, taken within last 6 months), proof of legal residence in India for at least 6 months (Indian nationals provide passport, foreign nationals residing in India provide residence permit), travel itinerary including confirmed flight reservations and accommodation bookings, travel health insurance covering minimum CHF 30,000 (approximately EUR 30,000) valid throughout Schengen Area, proof of financial means (bank statements for previous 3-6 months, income tax returns, employment letters, salary slips), and purpose-specific documents (business invitation letters for business travel, conference registration and invitation for conference attendance, hotel bookings and itinerary for tourism, invitation letters from relatives/friends for family visits including proof of relationship and host's residence status). For long-term visas exceeding 90 days (national visas for work, study, family reunification, residence), applicants must obtain authorization from Swiss cantonal authorities for intended residence location before visa issuance. Employment visas require work permit authorization from competent cantonal authorities, job offer from Swiss employer, professional qualifications verification, and employment contract. Student visas require admission letter from Swiss educational institution, proof of financial resources for living expenses, accommodation confirmation, and health insurance. Family reunification visas require proof of family relationship, sponsor's legal residence status in Switzerland, adequate accommodation, and sufficient financial means. Airport transit visas are required for citizens of specific countries transiting through Swiss airports. The visa section does not accept phone inquiries; all queries must be submitted by email to newdelhi.visa@eda.admin.ch. Visa fees apply as per Schengen visa regulations and Swiss national visa fees. For detailed requirements, fee structure, and appointments, visit VFS Global Switzerland website or the embassy website (www.eda.admin.ch/newdelhi).
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Consular Services

The Consular Section located at Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri provides comprehensive services for Swiss nationals in northern and eastern India as well as Bhutan including passport applications and renewals (Swiss passports, identity cards), emergency travel documents for Swiss nationals who lost passports, civil status matters (birth registration, marriage registration, death registration for Swiss nationals), legalization and authentication of documents, notarial services, Swiss citizenship matters, and emergency assistance for Swiss citizens in distress. Consular services require appointments or email contact. Consular telephone hours (excluding visa matters): Monday-Friday 08:00-13:00. Consular section visits: Monday-Thursday 13:00-16:00, Friday 08:30-11:30. Swiss nationals in India should register with the embassy through the Travel Admin app or online registration for emergency notification and consular assistance. The Swiss community in India includes employees of Swiss multinational companies (major Swiss corporations including Nestlé, Novartis, Roche, ABB, Schindler, Holcim, UBS, Zurich Insurance have significant presence), technical experts and engineers (supporting Swiss manufacturing operations, particularly in pharmaceuticals, engineering, food processing), development cooperation personnel (Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation - SDC - implements development projects), students and researchers (academic exchanges under Swiss-Indian research programs and university partnerships), financial services professionals, watchmaking and luxury goods professionals, hospitality industry professionals (Swiss hotel management expertise), and families. Delhi NCR hosts regional headquarters of several Swiss companies. Emergency consular assistance is available for Swiss nationals facing arrest, hospitalization, death, document loss, or other urgent situations. Contact the embassy during consular telephone hours or email newdelhi@eda.admin.ch for assistance. For Swiss nationals in western India (Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh), contact Consulate General Mumbai. For southern India (Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana), contact Consulate General Bengaluru. For eastern India, contact Honorary Consulate Kolkata. For southeastern India, contact Honorary Consulate Chennai.
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Trade & Export Support

Switzerland and India maintain robust and rapidly growing trade relations with bilateral trade reaching approximately USD 27 billion in 2024, making Switzerland one of India's largest trading partners in Europe and India being Switzerland's second-largest trading partner in Asia after China. The historic Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA) signed on March 10, 2024 between India and EFTA States (Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein), which came into force in October 2025, marks a transformative milestone providing Indian exporters improved market access to high-income EFTA markets while committing EFTA states to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years and create one million jobs. Swiss exports to India (CHF 14.3 billion in 2022) include precious metals and stones (particularly gold - Switzerland is major gold trading hub and refining center, significant gold exports to India for jewelry industry), pharmaceuticals and biotechnology products (Switzerland's pharmaceutical giants Novartis, Roche export medicines, active pharmaceutical ingredients, biotech products), machinery and mechanical appliances (precision machinery, industrial equipment, manufacturing technology), chemicals and chemical products (specialty chemicals, agrochemicals from Syngenta, industrial chemicals), optical and precision instruments (medical devices, laboratory equipment, scientific instruments), electrical equipment and electronics, watches and timepieces (Swiss luxury watches through authorized dealers including Rolex, Patek Philippe, Omega, TAG Heuer, Swatch Group brands), luxury goods (Richemont luxury brands including Cartier, Montblanc, Piaget, Jaeger-LeCoultre), and food products. Indian exports to Switzerland (CHF 2.7 billion in 2022) include precious metals and diamonds (India's diamond cutting and polishing industry exports to Switzerland's gold and diamond trading centers), textiles and garments (Swiss fashion industry sources from India), chemicals and pharmaceuticals (India's generic pharmaceuticals and chemical intermediates), agricultural products (tea, spices, organic products), leather goods, jewelry and gems, machinery and automotive components, and IT services and software (though services trade often not captured in goods trade statistics). The embassy's economic section actively supports trade promotion, business facilitation, and commercial diplomacy. Switzerland's reputation for quality precision engineering, pharmaceuticals, innovation and India's competitive manufacturing, IT expertise, skilled workforce, and large domestic market create complementary strengths. Swiss companies value India for manufacturing (cost-effective quality manufacturing), market access (India's 1.4 billion population and growing middle class), innovation and R&D (many Swiss companies establish R&D centers in Bengaluru, Pune, Mumbai leveraging Indian engineering talent), and regional hub potential (serving South Asia and beyond).
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Investment Opportunities

Switzerland is India's 12th-largest source of Foreign Direct Investment with cumulative FDI totaling CHF 7.3 billion (approximately USD 8 billion) at end-2022. Approximately 330 Swiss companies operate in India employing over 166,000 people directly and supporting extensive indirect employment through supply chains. Major Swiss investments span pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (Novartis has major manufacturing and R&D operations in Hyderabad and other locations, Roche has significant presence, both companies invest in Indian pharmaceutical innovation and affordable medicines), food and beverages (Nestlé India is one of country's largest FMCG companies with manufacturing facilities, R&D centers, extensive distribution networks, deep integration into Indian agriculture through dairy and coffee sourcing), engineering and industrial equipment (ABB manufactures electrical equipment, automation systems, robotics with factories in multiple locations; Schindler elevators and escalators manufactures in India; Bühler provides food processing and advanced materials technology), construction materials (Holcim operates cement manufacturing under multiple brands with extensive operations across India), chemicals and agrochemicals (Syngenta provides agricultural inputs and crop protection, Clariant operates specialty chemicals production, BASF has joint ventures though not purely Swiss), financial services (UBS and formerly Credit Suisse, now merged, provide wealth management and investment banking; Zurich Insurance and Swiss Re operate in insurance sector), luxury goods and watches (Richemont operates luxury boutiques for Cartier, Montblanc, Piaget, and other brands in major Indian cities; Swiss watch brands maintain authorized dealer networks), logistics and trading (various Swiss trading companies), and technology and services. The historic TEPA agreement commits EFTA states (primarily Switzerland given its economic size within EFTA) to invest USD 100 billion in India over 15 years and create one million jobs, representing unprecedented investment commitment. India offers attractive opportunities for Swiss investors in pharmaceuticals and healthcare (India's growing healthcare market, biosimilars and biologics, affordable medicines for global markets, clinical research), advanced manufacturing (precision engineering, automation, Industry 4.0 technologies align with Swiss strengths), food processing and agribusiness (India's agriculture potential and Nestlé's successful model demonstrate opportunities in dairy, coffee, packaged foods, nutrition), renewable energy and clean technology (solar energy, energy efficiency, green technology - Swiss expertise in environmental technology), chemicals and specialty chemicals (India's chemical industry growth and Swiss chemical sector's technological leadership), infrastructure (metro systems, urban infrastructure, water management, waste management - Swiss engineering expertise), financial services and insurance (India's underinsured market and financial services growth), digital technology and fintech (Swiss financial services firms interested in India's digital payment revolution and fintech innovation), education and skill development (Swiss vocational training system model for India's skill development, hospitality education partnerships), and innovation and R&D (many Swiss companies establish innovation centers in India). The embassy facilitates connections between Swiss and Indian business entities through its economic section. Switzerland Global Enterprise (Swiss government trade and investment promotion organization) supports Swiss companies investing in India and Indian companies investing in Switzerland. Major Swiss investments are concentrated in Mumbai (financial services, luxury goods, headquarters), Delhi NCR (headquarters, financial services), Bengaluru (R&D centers, technology, pharmaceuticals), Pune (manufacturing, automotive, engineering), Hyderabad (pharmaceuticals, biotechnology), and Chennai (manufacturing). Switzerland's technological leadership in pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, chemicals, and India's large market, skilled workforce, competitive costs, and improving ease of doing business create complementary opportunities. The TEPA agreement provides enhanced predictability and market access for bilateral investment.
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Business Support

The embassy actively facilitates Switzerland-India business relations through its economic section. Swiss companies exploring Indian markets can contact the embassy for market intelligence, regulatory guidance, sector-specific information, business contacts in India, and facilitation support. The embassy coordinates with Swiss institutions including State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), Switzerland Global Enterprise (S-GE - Switzerland's official trade and investment promotion organization), Swiss Business Hub India (S-GE office in India), and Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce to support bilateral commercial opportunities. Services include business matchmaking, information on investment procedures in India, facilitation of trade delegations and official visits, support for companies attending trade fairs and exhibitions, sector-specific briefings, networking events, and investor meets. Key sectors of bilateral business cooperation include pharmaceuticals and healthcare (Switzerland's pharmaceutical sector strength and India's pharmaceutical manufacturing, biosimilars, affordable medicines, clinical research create complementary opportunities; Novartis and Roche have significant India operations contributing to Indian healthcare and global pharmaceutical supply chains), precision engineering and manufacturing (Swiss precision engineering excellence and Indian manufacturing capabilities and cost competitiveness; ABB, Schindler, Bühler demonstrate successful Swiss manufacturing in India), food and agriculture (Nestlé's deep integration into Indian agriculture, dairy, coffee demonstrates Swiss food industry success in India; opportunities in food processing, nutrition, sustainable agriculture), chemicals and specialty chemicals (Swiss chemical industry expertise in specialty chemicals, agrochemicals, and India's growing chemical sector), financial services (Swiss banking and insurance expertise and India's growing financial services market, insurance penetration, wealth management opportunities), renewable energy and environmental technology (Swiss expertise in energy efficiency, clean technology, waste management, water treatment and India's renewable energy targets, smart cities, environmental challenges), innovation and R&D (many Swiss companies establish R&D centers in India; bilateral research collaboration in pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, engineering, ICT, materials science), education and skill development (Swiss vocational training system model for India; hospitality education partnerships including Swiss hotel management schools partnering with Indian institutions), digital technology (Swiss interest in India's digital transformation, fintech, e-governance), and infrastructure and urban development (Swiss expertise in metro systems, railways, urban infrastructure, waste management, water supply for India's urbanization and infrastructure development). The embassy facilitates participation in bilateral business forums, CEO roundtables, sector-specific events, and Switzerland-India economic dialogue. The Switzerland-India Joint Economic Commission and sector-specific working groups drive economic cooperation. Annual high-level visits including ministerial visits and business delegations strengthen economic ties. The Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce provides extensive support for bilateral business engagement with offices and activities connecting Swiss and Indian business communities.
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Cultural & Educational Programs

Switzerland and India maintain active cultural and educational exchange programs facilitated by the embassy in coordination with Pro Helvetia (Swiss Arts Council), universities, Swiss Business School in India, and cultural organizations. Cultural cooperation includes Swiss cultural events in India (music, art exhibitions, film screenings, Swiss National Day celebrations on August 1st), Indian cultural events supported by the embassy, and people-to-people exchanges. Educational cooperation is growing with approximately 800-1,000 Indian students studying in Swiss universities and institutes, primarily in hospitality management (Switzerland's world-renowned hotel management schools including Lausanne Hospitality School, Glion, Les Roches attract Indian students), business administration (Swiss business schools and universities), engineering (ETH Zurich, EPFL Lausanne are top-ranked technical universities), sciences, finance and banking, international relations, and arts. Switzerland offers high-quality education, particularly in hospitality, engineering, sciences, and business, though tuition fees at private institutions can be high. Academic collaboration includes partnerships between Swiss and Indian universities, student and faculty exchanges, joint research programs, dual degree programs, and research cooperation. Swiss Government Excellence Scholarships provide opportunities for Indian students and researchers for postgraduate study and research in Switzerland. Research collaboration spans diverse fields including pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (Swiss-Indian pharmaceutical research partnerships), environmental science and climate research (Swiss expertise in Alpine and mountain ecosystems and Indian expertise in Himalayan systems), engineering and technology (ETH Zurich, EPFL collaborate with IITs and other Indian institutions), agricultural research (sustainable agriculture, food security), materials science, renewable energy, and social sciences. The Swiss-Indian research collaboration benefits from Switzerland's research excellence (ETH Zurich and EPFL consistently rank among world's top universities) and India's research capabilities and scientific talent pool. Both countries collaborate on innovation and entrepreneurship with Swiss interest in India's startup ecosystem (Bengaluru's tech startups, fintech innovation) and Indian interest in Swiss innovation in pharma, medtech, fintech. Hospitality education partnerships are particularly strong with Swiss hotel management schools collaborating with Indian institutions, Swiss hospitality brands operating in India, and Indian students forming significant portion of enrollment in Swiss hospitality schools. Cultural exchanges include Swiss film festivals in India, Indian films at Swiss festivals, art exhibitions, music performances (Western classical music, jazz, as well as Indian classical music performances in Switzerland), and literary events. The Swiss Business School in India offers Swiss education in India. Both countries' shared values of democracy, rule of law, innovation, and quality create strong foundations for cultural and educational partnerships. The Indian diaspora in Switzerland (approximately 40,000-50,000 persons including students, professionals, business owners) and Swiss nationals in India contribute to people-to-people ties.
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Service Area

The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi has overall diplomatic oversight for India and Bhutan. For consular services, Swiss nationals and Indian visa applicants should contact the appropriate Swiss mission based on their location: Embassy in New Delhi (serving northern and eastern India including Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Bihar, Jharkhand, and eastern states, plus Bhutan), Consulate General in Mumbai (serving Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu), Consulate General in Bengaluru (serving Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Puducherry), Honorary Consulate in Kolkata (serving West Bengal, Odisha, Sikkim, northeastern states), and Honorary Consulate in Chennai. For visa applications, all applications throughout India are processed by the Embassy in New Delhi after submission at VFS Global centers located in 12 cities. Contact the embassy website (www.eda.admin.ch/newdelhi) for jurisdiction details and appointment information.
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Appointment Information

All consular and visa services require advance appointments or email contact. For visa applications, schedule appointments through VFS Global Switzerland at www.vfsglobal.ch/switzerland/india. VFS Global operates visa application centers in Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Chennai, Kolkata, Pune, Ahmedabad, Hyderabad, Jalandhar, Chandigarh, Kochi, and Puducherry. All visa applications are forwarded to the embassy regardless of VFS center location. For consular services (passports, civil status documents, notarizations), contact the consular section by email at newdelhi.etatcivil@eda.admin.ch or call during consular telephone hours Monday-Friday 08:00-13:00. Consular section visits: Monday-Thursday 13:00-16:00, Friday 08:30-11:30. Main Embassy address: Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. Consular Section: Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021. For general inquiries, contact +91 11 4995 9500 or email newdelhi@eda.admin.ch during office hours. For visa inquiries, email newdelhi.visa@eda.admin.ch (phone inquiries not accepted for visa matters). For emergency consular assistance affecting Swiss nationals in India, contact the embassy during office hours or use emergency contact information available on the embassy website.
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Special Notes

The Embassy is located at Nyaya Marg, Chanakyapuri, New Delhi 110021, with the Consular Section at Chandragupta Marg, Chanakyapuri, both in New Delhi's diplomatic enclave which houses most foreign embassies. The location is accessible by Delhi Metro (Lok Kalyan Marg station on Yellow Line is nearest), taxis, auto-rickshaws, and app-based ride services. Parking may be limited; public transportation recommended. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (passport, Aadhaar card, driver's license) and pass security screening to enter embassy premises. Only persons with confirmed appointments or official business will be admitted. The embassy observes both Swiss and Indian public holidays. Swiss National Day is celebrated on August 1st with events often attended by Indian officials, Swiss community, business leaders, and friends of Switzerland. For Indian travelers to Switzerland, the embassy website and VFS Global provide comprehensive information on visa requirements, travel insurance (travel health insurance minimum CHF 30,000 required for Schengen visa), health recommendations, accommodation, and travel planning. Switzerland's attractions include stunning Alpine scenery (Jungfrau region, Matterhorn, Lake Lucerne, Interlaken), historic cities (Zurich, Geneva, Bern, Lucerne, Basel), world-class ski resorts (Zermatt, St. Moritz, Verbier), luxury watches and shopping, Swiss chocolate and cheese, efficient public transportation including scenic train routes (Glacier Express, Bernina Express, GoldenPass), and outdoor activities year-round. Business travelers visit Switzerland's business centers including Zurich (financial center), Geneva (international organizations, private banking, watchmaking), Basel (pharmaceuticals, chemicals), and attend events including Baselworld (watches and jewelry), Art Basel, and WEF Davos. The historic TEPA agreement effective October 2025 enhances trade and investment opportunities for both Indian businesses entering EFTA markets and EFTA (primarily Swiss) companies investing in India. For detailed travel advice for Indians traveling to Switzerland and information on business, education, and cultural opportunities, consult the embassy website (www.eda.admin.ch/newdelhi), Switzerland Tourism (www.myswitzerland.com), and Switzerland Global Enterprise for business information.
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