Procuring an Liechtenstein Visa
Overview
Liechtenstein is a landlocked country is Europe. The country is one of the smallest countries in the world and the fourth smallest country in Europe. However, despite its small size, the country has one of the highest GDP per capita in the world. Tourism is a major contributor to the economy. The country of Liechtenstein is filled with spectacular sights of nature. It is for these sights and other tourist attractions that people flock over from all over the world to visit the nation. The education system of Liechtenstein is excellent. The country boasts a 100% literacy rate. Therefore, influx of foreign students has also increased over the past decade in the nation. The high quality educational institutions of the nation are enough to entice students from India to pursue higher studies in Liechtenstein.
Why is a Liechtensteiner Visa Needed?
There could be numerous reasons for you to visit the nation of Liechtenstein. These can include nut are not limited to education, business, and tourism. Regardless of the reason you may have to visit Liechtenstein, you will need a visa to enter the nation. However, it is not necessary for you to apply for Liechtenstein visa. If you intend to visit Liechtenstein for a short duration, then you can apply for Schengen visa. The details and benefits of a Schengen visa are discussed below.
Liechtenstein Visa Eligibility
The nature and the reason of your visit define the type of visa that you should apply for. There are primarily three types of visa for Liechtenstein. They are specified below:
Schengen Visa: A Schengen visa allows you to stay of 90 days within duration of six months. The Schengen visa allows you to visit any of the member states in the Schengen area. Furthermore, you will not have to face any restrictions on the times you are allowed to enter or visit a member Schengen states. Therefore, the Schengen Visa is issued for single entry and multiple entries.
National Visa: The national visa allows a stay of 91 days to 180 days during the course of a year. The reasons of applying for a national visa includes being a seasonal worker, researcher, student, short-term worker, guest researcher, and volunteer among others.
Transit Visa: The transit visa is a special type of visa. It is issued primarily to travellers. A transit visa is issued for a short duration, for a few days at maximum. Transit visas are issued to facilitate your travel. You will need a transit visa if you intend to stay in Liechtenstein while waiting for your connecting flight,
The eligibility criteria for National Visa and Schengen Visa are very similar. The only difference is regarding the documents required for the visas, and your visit’s purpose and nature. The reasons for travelling to or visiting Liechtenstein may be:
Transit
If you have a connecting flight or train into and out of Liechtenstein and there are a few hours or a couple of days between the two flights or trains. You will also need a transit visa if you are driving to another country and passing through Liechtenstein.
Tourism
Since tourism is one of the major contributors to the nation’s economy, it is not difficult to figure out that tourism in the nation is popular. So, one of the most common reasons for visiting Liechtenstein is to enjoy the sights and tourist attractions.
Visiting Friends or Family
You may have friends or family staying in Liechtenstein. However, they need to legally dwelling in the nation or should be citizens of Liechtenstein or the Schengen region. Still, you will need a referral letter from the individuals that you are visiting. The same letter should be presented along with your application and during the time of you visa appointment in the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.
Business
You should list the reason as business if you are visiting the nation of Liechtenstein for an official visit. However, you will be required to present a letter that from the company or organization operating in Liechtenstein or the government. The approval may be expedited based on the company or organization that has referred you. For example, if the Liechtenstein government has referred you, then the process of approval is quicker.
Medical reasons
You reason could be medical nature which means that you need to visit Liechtenstein to improve your health by using the medical services in the nation.
Study Purposes
The 100% literacy rate of Liechtenstein exemplifies the impeccable educational system and institutions. So, if you are going to Liechtenstein for studies then you will need to state your purpose as studies. Furthermore, you will require a letter of admission from the institution. The same will also need to be presented with your application and during the appointment.
Other Purposes
In addition to the purposes mentioned above, you can also visit the nation for some other purpose. However, you will need to specify the reason and provide justification for the same when you are applying for the visa.
Liechtenstein Visa Application Process
How to Apply for Liechtensteiner Visa:
Applying for a Liechtensteiner visa is not a complicated process compared to the visa application process for some other countries. Here are the steps that you should follow in order to apply for a Liechtenstein visa.
Step 1: Check the eligibility requirements for a Liechtensteiner visa based on the reason of your visit.
Step 2: Fill the visa application form. Ensure that you fill it completely and do not miss any of the details.
Step 3: Submit the application to The Embassy of Switzerland at New Delhi.
Important Note: There are no other visa application centers for Liechtenstein. So, you will need to submit the application in person to the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi. Additionally, note that you will not be able to send your application through courier or post. Furthermore, nobody apart from you can submit your application or collect the documents post the visa processing is completed. However, there are exceptions to this when you can send an authorized person in your absence. The following are considered as authorized representatives:
- Parents, Siblings, and Children
- Any individual from the group if you are applying as a group or family
- A government authorized personnel can collect it on the behalf of the government. However, he or she is needed to provide verification and proof for the same.
- A company’s official representative, but he or she will need an authorization letter from the company to do so. Additionally, an ID card will also be needed.
The authorized personnel will required to present the following:
- Original and a photocopy of a Government issued ID Card
- Original ICR
- A letter from the applicant clarifying authorization
Step 4: After the visa application is filled, submitted, accepted and processed, you will need to book an appointment at the Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.
Important Note: You should make sure that you do not miss your appointment. If you miss your appointment you will only be allowed to apply for the next appointment after a period of 24 hours. Furthermore, the next appointment will depend on the availability. Moreover, rescheduling an appointment is subject to availability depending on the Embassy of Liechtenstein.
Step 5: Once you arrive at the embassy, you will need to collect a token from the entrance. Then you will be directed towards the waiting area. Next, you will be called to the visa application submission counter. Here you will need to submit your application along with required documents.
Step 6: The authenticity and validity of the documents is scrutinized and verified.
Step 7: You will be provided a receipt for the services and fees charged during the process along with a number that you can use to check the status of your visa application.
Where to Apply for Liechtenstein Visa?
In order to apply for a visa to Liechtenstein, you will need to visit The Embassy of Switzerland in New Delhi.
How to Book Appointment?
You can book the appointment when you submit your visa application to the Embassy of Switzerland.
You should know that nobody is allowed to accompany you to the appointment. The exceptions to this rule are applicable under the following cases:
- If you are under the age of 18
- If you require assistance due to a disability or health reasons.
How to Check Status of Liechtenstein Visa
You can check the status of your Liechtenstein visa here. Note that it takes 7 to 10 days for the embassy to process the visa application. However, it may take more than 10 days as well.
Liechtenstein Visa Document Requirements
Documents Required for Liechtenstein Visa application
The requirement of documents for a Liechtenstein Visa application is the same in every case apart from tourist visa. The following documents are common for all type of visas:
| 1 |
A visa application form completed in English or German language along with the applicant’s signature |
| 2 |
Passport:
The validity of the passport should not end at least three months from the applicant’s intended date of departure. Departure may not necessarily be from Liechtenstein as it could be from a Member Schengen States. It is dependent on the individual case.
The applicant’s passport should not be completely filled, there should be at least two blank pages.
The data page of the applicant’s passport should be devoid of any handwritten amendment or alteration
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| 3 |
International standards for photographs as established in the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) should be abided by for the two photographs |
| 4 |
Valid permit of return (depending on individuals cases) |
| 5 |
A mandatory travel medical insurance cover of minimum 30,000 Euros is required according to the rules of the Schengen member states. If the applicant has a multiple entry visa then the cover must be sufficient to cover the entirety of first intended visit. |
| 6 |
Your reason along with justification for visiting Liechtenstein should be explained in the cover letter |
| 7 |
Your travel itinerary or tentative itinerary in case of round-trip flight bookings |
| 8 |
In cases where the applicant is a minor:
At least one parent of guardian should accompany the applicant, and he or she should present a Original notarized NOC by the other parent in addition to the copies of passports or IDs of parents
if the applicant is travelling alone then Original notarized NOC signed by both parents / legal guardians, plus copies of passports or IDs of parents should be presented.
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| 9 |
Copy of the present passport in its entirety |
| 10 |
Original(s) of previous passport(s) or proof of loss |
Depending on the purpose of your visit, i.e. in cases that are specific in nature, additional documents will need to be produced.
So, if the applicant is a student, then he or she will need to provide proof of admission in a Liechtenstein institute along with receipt of fee, transfer certificates, etc.
Similarly, if the applicant has a business purposes, then he or she will need to produce letter of employment at the Liechtensteiner company or organization along with a referral letter from the organization or company.