A lot of people will call it a good news that Switzerland, the land of romance and beauty, is offering Swiss Golden Visa. Wondering what this means? Well, it simply means that non-EU nationals, including Indians, can live, work and start a business in the Schengen country.
The Swiss Golden Visa is a structured residency-by-investment route that gives non-EU citizens the right to live in the Schengen country in exchange of some investment or financial contribution. The whole idea of this visa programme is to attract global investors, give a boost to the economy and also enhance cultural diversity.
Eligibility criteria for Swiss Golden Visa:
Individuals must be between 18 and 55 years of age
They must have a clean criminal record
They must also have a steady and legal source of income
The health of the individual must be in good shape
One should lease or buy a residence in the country
(Picture Credit: Canva)How to obtain the Swiss Golden Visa
There are two ways to go about procuring the Swiss Golden Visa:
Lump sum tax agreement
Here, you agree to pay an annual lump sum tax to the Swiss canton where you’ll live. This usually starts at CHF 200,000 (about Rs 2.17 crore) but can go up to CHF 6,00,000 (around Rs 6.5 crore), depending on the canton. Under this arrangement, you cannot take up employment, but you get full residency rights.
Entrepreneurial Investor Scheme
This is the more business-minded option. You’ll need to either establish a new Swiss company or invest in an existing one, with a minimum investment of CHF 1 million (approx Rs 9.6 crore). This pathway is popular with Indian entrepreneurs looking to expand into Europe while securing residency.
The process of obtaining the Swiss Golden Visa:
Getting a Swiss Golden Visa usually takes up to five months if everything goes smoothly. Here’s how it works:
Choose your investment route: Lump sum tax or entrepreneurial scheme.
Obtain Swiss authorisations: Agreements with canton authorities, document checks, and due diligence.
Apply for a D Visa: Submit bank statements, police clearances, and health insurance documents.
Move to Switzerland: Once approved, relocate and finalise your tax agreement or investment.
From temporary to permanent: After 10 years, you can apply for permanent residency, and after 12 years, for Swiss citizenship.
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