Embassy of India in Bern

Embassy of India in Bern, Switzerland

EmbassyIndiaBernSwitzerland

Overview

The Embassy of India in Bern serves as India's diplomatic mission in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, located on Kirchenfeldstrasse in Bern's diplomatic quarter near the Swiss Federal Parliament and government ministries. The embassy provides consular services to Indian nationals throughout Switzerland and Liechtenstein, processes visa applications for Swiss and Liechtenstein residents traveling to India, and facilitates bilateral relations between India and Switzerland in areas including trade, financial services, technology cooperation, pharmaceuticals, scientific research, and cultural exchange. India and Switzerland maintain longstanding friendly relations based on shared interests in innovation, research, financial services, multilateral cooperation, and economic partnership. Switzerland is an important source of technology, pharmaceuticals expertise, investment, and development cooperation for India. The Indian diaspora in Switzerland numbers approximately 35,000 people, including IT professionals, pharmaceutical researchers, scientists, engineers, bankers (particularly in Zürich and Geneva's financial sectors), medical professionals, business executives, students, and families, concentrated primarily in Zürich, Geneva, Basel, Bern, and other major Swiss cities.
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Visa Services

Swiss and Liechtenstein citizens require a visa to enter India for all purposes including tourism, business, medical treatment, conferences, and family visits. India offers several visa categories through its e-Visa system (electronic visa) and traditional visa application process. The e-Visa is available for tourism, business, medical treatment, medical attendant, and conference purposes, allowing eligible travelers to apply online without visiting the embassy or application center. E-Visas are processed electronically and typically approved within 2-4 business days for most applicants. Traditional visa applications for longer stays, work, study, research, journalism, employment, or other special purposes require submission through VFS Global, the embassy's authorized visa outsourcing partner. All consular and visa services are processed through VFS Global located at Weststrasse 2, 3005 Bern (phone: +41-31 381 58 04, email: info.inch@vfshelpline.com). Applicants must schedule appointments through VFS Global, submit required documentation including passport with minimum 6 months validity, photographs meeting Indian visa specifications, travel itinerary, proof of financial means, and purpose-specific documents. Processing times vary by visa category: e-Visas typically within 2-4 days, regular tourist/business visas within 3-5 working days, and employment/long-stay visas may require several weeks. Swiss travelers should apply well in advance of planned travel. For current visa requirements, fees, and online applications, visit the official Indian visa website or contact VFS Global.
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Consular Services

The consular section provides comprehensive services for Indian nationals in Switzerland and Liechtenstein, including passport issuance and renewal (including emergency passports for lost/stolen documents), Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) card applications and services for persons of Indian origin, Person of Indian Origin (PIO) card services, visa services for family members, birth registration for children born in Switzerland to Indian parents, marriage registration, death registration, attestation and legalization of documents (educational certificates, commercial documents, powers of attorney) for use in India, police clearance certificates, life certificates for pension beneficiaries living in Switzerland, notarial services, and emergency consular assistance. All passport and consular services must be submitted through VFS Global's application center in Bern. Passport and OCI inquiries can be directed to passport.berne@mea.gov.in and oci.berne@mea.gov.in respectively. The Indian community in Switzerland is highly skilled and diverse, including IT professionals (many working for multinational technology companies), pharmaceutical researchers and scientists (Switzerland's strong pharma sector attracts Indian talent), financial services professionals in Zürich and Geneva, engineers (particularly in precision manufacturing and watchmaking sectors), university students and researchers at ETH Zürich, EPFL Lausanne, and other prestigious Swiss institutions, entrepreneurs, and families. Consular service hours are 09:30-12:30 Monday through Friday. Emergency consular assistance for Indian nationals is available 24/7 through the embassy's emergency number: +41-766996224.
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Trade & Export Support

India and Switzerland maintain significant trade relations with Switzerland being an important economic partner for India despite its small size. Swiss exports to India include precision machinery, pharmaceutical products and active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs), watches and precision instruments, chemicals and specialty chemicals, medical devices, optical instruments, precious metals and jewelry (particularly gold), electrical equipment, and technology. India exports to Switzerland include pharmaceuticals and generic medicines, textiles and garments (including silk products), jewelry and precious stones (India is a major diamond processing center), leather goods, IT services, chemicals, organic products, tea and spices, and engineering goods. Bilateral trade exceeds USD 20 billion annually with Switzerland being one of India's largest sources of foreign direct investment (FDI), particularly in services, financial services, and technology sectors. Swiss pharmaceutical companies have significant research and manufacturing presence in India, leveraging India's strong pharmaceutical manufacturing capabilities and chemistry expertise. The embassy's commercial section (phone: +41 31 350 11 39, email: com.berne@mea.gov.in) supports Indian exporters and businesses seeking Swiss partnerships, providing trade intelligence, market research, regulatory guidance, and business matchmaking. Switzerland's expertise in precision manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, financial services, and clean technology creates opportunities for Indo-Swiss business collaboration.
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Investment Opportunities

The embassy provides information on investment opportunities in India for Swiss companies and investors. India offers opportunities in sectors including information technology and software development, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology (particularly generic medicines, contract research, and drug development), renewable energy (solar and green hydrogen technologies), advanced manufacturing and precision engineering, financial services and fintech, infrastructure development, railways and urban transportation, chemicals and specialty chemicals, healthcare and medical devices, and environmental technology. Swiss expertise in pharmaceuticals, precision engineering, financial services, clean technology, and innovation aligns with India's development priorities including 'Make in India' and skill development initiatives. Major Swiss companies including Nestlé, ABB, Novartis, Roche, Schindler, UBS, and Credit Suisse have longstanding investments in India. Indian companies have also invested in Switzerland, particularly in IT services and pharmaceuticals. Switzerland is one of India's top sources of FDI, with cumulative investments exceeding USD 60 billion. The embassy facilitates connections between Swiss and Indian business entities and provides guidance on India's investment framework, FDI policies, regulatory environment, and business procedures. Switzerland-India partnership particularly strong in innovation, research collaboration, and technology transfer.
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Business Support

The embassy actively facilitates business relations between India and Switzerland through its commercial and economic sections. Swiss companies exploring Indian markets can contact the commercial section (com.berne@mea.gov.in, +41 31 350 11 39) for market intelligence, regulatory guidance, sector-specific information, business contacts, and facilitation support. The embassy coordinates with Swiss-Indian Chamber of Commerce, economiesuisse, Swiss business associations, and Swiss Export (Switzerland Global Enterprise) to support bilateral commercial opportunities. Services include business matchmaking, information on investment procedures, facilitation of trade delegations, support for companies attending trade fairs and exhibitions, commercial dispute resolution guidance, and networking events. The embassy also supports Indian businesses seeking Swiss technology partnerships, investment opportunities, research collaborations, or market access in Switzerland. Key sectors of bilateral business cooperation include pharmaceuticals and life sciences, precision engineering and manufacturing, financial services and fintech, clean technology and renewable energy, information technology and digital services, watchmaking and luxury goods (Indian craftsmen contribute to Swiss watch industry), and food processing (Nestlé's significant operations in India). Both countries collaborate on innovation, research and development, and technology commercialization through initiatives including the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme.
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Cultural & Educational Programs

India and Switzerland maintain active cultural and educational exchange programs facilitated by the embassy. Cultural cooperation includes promotion of Indian classical music, dance, cinema, yoga, literature, visual arts, and festivals. The embassy organizes cultural events celebrating Indian festivals including Diwali, Holi, Republic Day (January 26), and Independence Day (August 15) which are open to the Indian community and friends of India. Yoga is particularly popular in Switzerland, with Indian yoga practitioners and teachers conducting workshops and training programs. Educational cooperation is growing with increasing numbers of Indian students attending prestigious Swiss universities including ETH Zürich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology), EPFL Lausanne (École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne), University of Zürich, University of Geneva, and other Swiss institutions, particularly for master's programs in engineering, computer science, hospitality management, business administration, and life sciences. Swiss students participate in exchange programs in India for studies in Indian languages, culture, development studies, and specialized fields. Academic collaboration includes university partnerships, joint research programs (particularly the Indo-Swiss Joint Research Programme in social sciences and other fields), student and faculty exchanges, and cooperation in science and technology. The embassy supports scholarship programs and facilitates academic connections. Both countries collaborate on research in areas including climate science, water management, sustainable development, renewable energy, and innovation. Switzerland's strong research institutions and India's scientific capabilities create opportunities for mutually beneficial academic partnerships.
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Service Area

The Embassy of India in Bern has jurisdiction over Switzerland and the Principality of Liechtenstein. Indian nationals and residents of Switzerland and Liechtenstein requiring consular services should contact VFS Global's application center in Bern for passport, visa, OCI, and consular services. VFS Global is located at Weststrasse 2, 3005 Bern (phone: +41-31 381 58 04, email: info.inch@vfshelpline.com). For general inquiries, contact the embassy at +41 31 350 11 30 or email appropriate section (consular: cons.berne@mea.gov.in, passport: passport.berne@mea.gov.in, OCI: oci.berne@mea.gov.in, visa: visa.berne@mea.gov.in, commercial: com.berne@mea.gov.in). Emergency consular assistance is available 24/7 at +41-766996224.
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Appointment Information

All consular and visa services require advance appointments scheduled through VFS Global (www.vfsglobal.com, phone: +41-31 381 58 04). Walk-in services at the embassy are not available except for genuine emergencies. Contact VFS Global to schedule appointments for passport applications, OCI services, visa applications, and document attestation. For general embassy inquiries, contact +41 31 350 11 30 during chancery hours (Monday-Friday 09:00-17:30). For emergencies affecting Indian nationals in Switzerland or Liechtenstein (arrest, hospitalization, death, natural disasters, or other urgent situations), call the 24-hour emergency number +41-766996224. When scheduling appointments through VFS Global, have ready your passport, details of the service required, supporting documentation, and contact information. Passport and consular service hours at VFS are 09:30-12:30 Monday through Friday.
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Special Notes

The embassy is located at Kirchenfeldstrasse 28, CH-3005 Bern, in Bern's diplomatic quarter near the Swiss Federal Parliament (Bundeshaus) and several government ministries. The location is accessible via Bern's public transportation: Tram lines 6, 7, 8 and bus routes to Helvetiaplatz or Gewerbeschule stops. Bern has an excellent public transportation system operated by BERNMOBIL. Street parking in the area is limited and regulated; public transportation is strongly recommended. Visitors must present valid government-issued photo identification (passport or Swiss ID card) to enter the embassy premises. The embassy observes both Indian and Swiss public holidays. Major Indian holidays celebrated include Republic Day (January 26), Independence Day (August 15), and Gandhi Jayanti (October 2). For current travel advisories, health recommendations, and entry requirements for India, contact the embassy or consult India's Ministry of External Affairs website and Switzerland's FDFA (EDA) travel advice for India. The embassy can provide information about traveling to India, including visa requirements, health precautions (vaccinations recommended for certain regions, malaria prophylaxis for specific areas), cultural customs, and tourist destinations. India's diverse attractions include historical monuments (Taj Mahal, Red Fort, Qutub Minar), spiritual centers (Varanasi, Rishikesh, Amritsar's Golden Temple), Himalayan regions (Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim), beaches (Goa, Kerala, Andaman Islands), wildlife sanctuaries and tiger reserves, cultural heritage sites, yoga and wellness centers, and festivals. Indian cuisine, particularly regional specialties, vegetarian food, and Ayurvedic treatments are popular with Swiss travelers. The embassy website maintains current information on travel requirements, health protocols, and any COVID-19 related regulations. For Swiss citizens of Indian origin or persons interested in OCI status, detailed information and application procedures are available on the embassy website and through VFS Global.
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