Incoming: New Visa Processors for Swiss Visas Applicants

The Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs is looking for a new visa processor for three of their lots with a set launch date of July 1st of this year, 2025. One of these lots has already been awarded.

When it comes to visa applications, countries in the Schengen zone (of which there are 29) partner with visa processors to help facilitate the application process, managing the more administrative facets.

Selecting a visa processor typically happens through an open call for tenders. In this public request for submissions, governments detail what they're looking for and what criteria candidates (visa processors) must meet.

In this specific tender, Switzerland is looking for a visa processor for 3 different "lots" - meaning three different groups of location(s) in the world where the awarded visa processor's services will be provided.

What is a visa processor?

When contracted by governments, visa processors are trusted partners that provide direct support for visa applicants. Working as the liaison between the applicant and the relevant Ministry of Foreign Affairs, visa processors administer the application process from start to submission through the visa application centers that they run.

While they guide the application process itself, including collecting your application and forwarding it to the consulate/embassy, they have no decision-making power regarding whether or not an application is approved or denied.

Schengen visa processors include:

• VFS Global
• TLScontact
• BLS International
• GVCW
• iDATA International
• IVS Global
• Visametric
• Capago
• Almaviva

Who is the new visa processor?

As stated above, the Swiss government is currently looking for a new visa processor to facilitate the visa application process for 3 different lots. Their public call for tenders doesn't include a comprehensive list of which countries will see this change, however.

Lot 1, which has been decided, includes services for India, Iran, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. VFS Global has won this lot, meaning they will continue as the visa processor for residents in those countries, adding on Nepal. They will serve this lot until the end of the contract, June 30, 2030.

If you are applying for a visa for Switzerland, and are a resident from one of the above countries, the application process will happen through VFS Global.

Because the open call isn't explicit about which other countries will see the change, it isn't clear if the current visa processor will be renewed, and if visa application centers will be changing locations.

As more information is announced, Insurte will be at the helm ready to provide it to you.

Is this a permanent change?

No, visa processors are contractors whose services are fixed-term, though sometimes they can be renewed.

This new contract's term is from July 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2030.

Because VFS Global is the current visa processor for the majority of lot 1, this win means their services will be extended until the summer of 2030, while also adding on Nepal.

How a new visa processor is selected

Schengen governments conduct a rigorous evaluation process concerning potential partners. After all, visa processors are responsible for safeguarding the personal data of millions of applicants every year.

Through a point-based system weighed against a list of criteria, candidates are assessed and graded with one processor coming out on top.

In this specific tender, the Swiss government is looking for visa processors that can administer support for type A and type C Schengen visa applications.

The selected processor will:

• Manage Schengen visa appointments
• Process physical Schengen visa applications, as well as electronic data
• Provide information to both Swiss authorities and visa applicants
• Ensure the professional delivery of their services

According to the official tender, successful candidates need to prove that they can effectively provide these services by including supporting documents, such as "precise references" and "numerous examples".

Swiss authorities are also looking for a visa processor that can remain nimble while complying with standard operating procedures. Being flexible, and proof of that, is important as regulatory changes happen - sometimes across multiple regions.

Overall, the awarded visa processer needs to be well-documented and extremely detailed, as the tender has called for process flow diagrams, visual aids, comprehensive descriptions, real-time dashboards, and more.

In this case of lot 1, VFS Global has been awarded a new contract, extending their services an additional 5 years and adding Nepal.

How will Swiss visa applications be handled in 2030?

2030 is hyper-relevant in the Schengen world, but not because it's the end of the next fixed term for several Swiss visa processors.

By 2030, the EU plans to launch EU VAP, an online platform that will digitize and revolutionize the Schengen visa application process worldwide.

Instead of going to visa application centers or consulates for in-person appointments and submissions, travelers will be able to use an online platform to upload documents, pay the required fees, and submit their visa applications. The process is going digital.

EU VAP won't eliminate the need to go to a visa application center entirely, though. Applicants will be required to submit their biometrics (fingerprints) in person if they haven't already submitted them within the last 5 years.

Key takeaways

• Switzerland has published an open call for tenders for visa processors.
• The awarded visa processor(s) will begin operations July 1st, 2025.
• A comprehensive list of which countries will be affected hasn't been announced.
• In some locations, VFS Global is the visa processor for Swiss visas.
• VFS Global's contract has been renewed for Swiss visas in India, Iran, Maldives, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. This means they will continue to serve as the visa processor for these countries until June 30, 2030.
• VFS Global will now handle Swiss visa applications in Nepal.
• The new contracts are set to last five years, from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2030.