Does the hotel need to be fully prepaid before applying for a Swiss tourist visa?
I am an international student now studying in the UK, and I need a visa for traveling to Switzerland.
The visa application requires a confirmed hotel reservation, but it hasn't mentioned what kind of rate should be. I actually have two options to book an hotel, the first one is fully prepaid and non-refundable; the second is very flexible - where I can cancel or change it any time before arrival date.
My question is - what kind of booking should I do? the fully pre-paid one or the flexible one?
Best Answer
You don't have to prepay. (In fact, in most hotels, you pay when you check out, not when you make a reservation; often you cannot prepay.)
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What are the requirements for tourist visa in Switzerland?
What are the Requirements for a Switzerland Tourist Visa?- A completed and signed Switzerland Tourist/Visitor Visa application form.
- Two passport-style photos that comply with the photo requirements for a Schengen visa.
- Your valid passport. ...
- Travel medical insurance that covers your entire stay in Switzerland.
Do you need accommodation for visa?
The embassy or consulate that you have to apply at in order to get a visa to your destination country, may require from you for either proof of accommodation, certificate of accommodation, letter of accommodation or hotel confirmation letter.How do you prove accommodation?
A proof of accommodation document is simply a document that shows you have somewhere to stay during your trip to the Schengen Area. It could be a hotel booking, a letter from family or a friend, or a rental agreement stating you have the short-term rent of a home for the duration of your trip.Can I change my hotel after getting visa?
There is no requirement to enter first to the country who issued you visa and hence no hotel change issue.How to apply for a Tourist Visa to Switzerland | Schengen Visa Application (Requirements and Tips)
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Answer 2
The main reason of having this proof is to make sure that if you enter Switzerland, you have a place to stay, and won't roam during the night. And that if something happens, immigration is able to track you.
So it does not matter whether you choose the prepaid or the flexible rate, as long as you put the details of the hotel and are able to show a reservation confirmation.
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