We believe that progress happens by bringing together young people from all walks of life who have the drive and influence to change their communities for the better.
Selecting Global Shapers to attend World Economic Forum and Global Shapers meetings helps us to ensure decision-making is more representative of youth and drives inter-generational solution-building to safeguard our future. In this guide, you will find frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the visa application process for entering Switzerland and a few travel tips from Swiss Shapers.
- Applying to World Economic Forum Meetings
- Securing a Swiss Visa
- Travel and Accommodation in Switzerland
- Activities and Resources
- Global Shapers at the Annual Meeting 2025
Applying to World Economic Forum Meetings
Application Criteria
The Forum convenes two annual meetings and several regional summits a year, bringing all stakeholders to the table. All Shapers listed on Toplink can apply given they will not age out from the Community by the meeting start. The Global Shapers HQ shares calls for applications in the monthly Newsletter.
In order to make our event selection process more efficient and keep track of the hundreds of applications that we receive and review, we create a simple application form for all Shapers to complete. You will be asked to record a short video to complement your written application.
Successful Applicants: We're looking for Shapers who:
- understand the mission of the Global Shapers Community as articulated in our Charter
- respect and live up to our Charter, Membership Committments and Responsible Behaviour
- improve the state of the world by contributing to their hub’s local projects and activities
- can advance the theme of the meeting and provide insights on relevant thematic areas
- can articulate their expertise and how this opportunity will strengthen their impact
- will not age out from the by the Annual Meeting (turn 33 or 30 depending on joining date)
Additional Guidelines and Considerations
- New Hubs: New members and members of new hubs are welcome to apply.
- Selection Priority: Shapers and Curators have the same opportunity; curators are not selected over Global Shapers.
- Full Participation Requirement: Participants are required to stay for the whole event; partial attendance is not allowed.
- Previous Attendees: While priority is given to those who have not attended Forum meetings before, we also seek to bring the best and most diversified team possible; everyone interested is encouraged to apply.
- Unsuccessful Past Applications: Unsuccessful applications in the past do not disqualify you from applying again. Each application pool is balanced according to the meeting’s theme and diversity requirements, so there are always opportunities to be selected in future rounds.
Application Video
Purpose of Application Videos
- Videos allow us to understand how expressive, articulate, and knowledgeable an applicant is.
- Videos are shared with Forum colleagues to consider Shapers as speakers for sessions.
- Videos and applicant bios provide a better understanding of how the Shaper will fit into our program.
Creating a Great Application Video
- Keep videos short, to the point, and avoid clichés.
- Demonstrate the impact you have in the world and your competency in a relevant subject matter.
- Focus on the work you do and why it’s unique, rather than on awards and honors.
- Include numbers that demonstrate your impact.
- Avoid submitting art projects or reading your message to the camera.
- Respect the time limit; only the first 60 seconds of a longer video will be watched.
Inspiration from Successful Applicants
- Yara Ghouth, Jeddah Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Joseph Solis, Chicago Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Arnold Sigauque, Tshwane Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2023)
- Alexis Taylor, Austin Hub (World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2022)
Video Quality
- Focus on the quality of your answer rather than production quality. You don’t need to contract Steven Spielberg or George Lucas to direct your video!
- A good video should demonstrate your strengths, expressiveness, abilities, experience, and impact.
- Be sure to respect the one-minute time limit.
- Reusing Videos: If a previous video represents your best effort to address the question, feel free to re-submit it.
- Privacy of Videos: Email your Community Manager if you do not want your video published publicly.
- Language of Videos: For World Economic Forum annual and regional meetings, only videos in English are accepted unless stated otherwise.
Selection Process
Application Review
- Every application is reviewed at least twice by members of the Global Shapers Team, as well as colleagues from other World Economic Forum teams.
- If selected to attend an event, your video may be shared with the Forum's Programme team who select speakers for relevant events.
- Applications from ineligible candidates will not be reviewed, including those without an active Toplink profile or a bio that matches their expertise description in the application. Additionally, applicants must meet age requirements and belong to hubs that are not under investigation.
Review Process
- Application videos are watched, and information in the application form is read, with special attention to your biography, job, position, and hub projects involvement.
- Applications are rated on a scale from 1 to 5 by multiple reviewers. If the video doesn’t work, the application is rated 0 and isn’t considered.
- Highest scoring Shapers are identified.
- A second process ensures gender balance, one Shaper per hub (exceptions may apply), region and country quotas, etc.
The goal is to put forward the strongest and most diversified representation possible.
- Eligibility During Hub Investigation: If your hub is under investigation for breaching the Charter, event applications from your hub will not be considered until the case is closed.
Post-Selection
- Notification of Selection: Selected Shapers are announced on TopLink and in the newsletter around a month after the call for applications has closed.
- Feedback for Unsuccessful Applicants: Unfortunately, individualized feedback is not provided to unsuccessful applicants.
- Commitment Requirement: Shapers who cannot participate in the whole meeting will be uninvited so that others who can fully commit can attend.
- Spouse or Partner Attendance: Due to resource constraints, spouses or partners cannot be accommodated.
Responsibility of Selected Shapers
- Participate in all Shaper-specific events and sessions.
- Conduct yourself as a representative for the entire community.
- Depending on the meeting’s theme, you may be asked to join as a panellist or discussion leader.
Expense Coverage
- Registration fees for Global Shapers delegations to Forum meetings are covered.
- Air travel and accommodation costs may be provided for those who request financial assistance, if funding is available, with priority given to those with the greatest need.
- Visas, meals, travel insurance, and other incidental expenses are the responsibility of attendees.
- Shapers who can finance their travel and accommodation are encouraged to do so to help provide support to those who need it most.
Securing a Swiss Visa
📃 Preparation for a Switzerland Visa Application
- Responsibility for Visa: The World Economic Forum does not grant visas. This is handled by the Swiss embassy and consulate in your place of residence.
- Visa Requirement: Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. If invited to attend a meeting and residing outside the EU and EFTA, a valid Schengen Visa may be required. Refer to the State Secretariat for Migration of Switzerland for visa entry requirements based on nationality.
- Type of Visa Needed: Switzerland belongs to the Schengen Area.* When invited to a Forum event, we ask participants to apply for a Business Shenghen visa for the exact dates of the event.
*The 26 Schengen member states are:
Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Germany, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland.
- Application Location: Locate the appropriate Swiss embassy or consulate nearest you. Refer to the list of Official Swiss representations abroad. Download the Visa Application Form or obtain it from the appropriate embassy or consulate. They will also provide a list of necessary accompanying documents.
- No Swiss Embassy in Country: If no Official Swiss representation is available, contact the embassy or consulate of another Schengen member state. Prioritize countries that border Switzerland (for example, France, Germany or Italy).
- Sending Visa Letter to Embassy: The Global Shapers Team can send your visa letter directly to the embassy. Contact your Community Manager with the email address of the appropriate embassy or consulate. We will send an official invitation and your signed travel document.
- Unavailable Visa Appointment: If calling, emailing, and visiting the embassy does not secure an appointment, contact your Community Manager. HQ can attempt to contact the embassy or consulate on your behalf, though success is not guaranteed. Start this process early to avoid issues.
Required Documents
Obtain information on required documentation from the website of the appropriate embassy or consulate. The Global Shapers Team can support with:
- A signed travel document acting as a visa invitation.
- A declaration of sponsorship if financial assistance was approved, including proof of hotel accommodation and flight itinerary.
To request a signed travel document, email GlobalShapers@weforum.org.
Proof of health insurance and other supporting documents may also be required in the visa request.
- Accommodation Booking: If your request for financial assistance is approved and your visa appointment is approaching without confirmation of accommodation booking, contact your Community Manager or email GlobalShapers@weforum.org for confirmation.
- Flight Booking for Visa Application: The Global Shapers Team does not book and send flight details directly. It is the responsibility of every participant to work proactively with our Travel Agents to confirm a preliminary flight itinerary booking for upcoming visa appointments, if required. To find next steps for contacting our Travel Agents, refer to the instructions in your financial assistance confirmation email.
- Financial Assistance for Visa: Financial assistance does not cover visa fees or associated travel costs. These expenses are the responsibility of the applicant. To support as many participants as possible, our financial assistance is limited to flights and accommodation. To check the status of your financial support request, contact your Community Manager.
- Visa Dates:To maximize the likelihood of your visa being granted, request the exact dates of the meeting in your application which match the signed travel document provided to you by HQ. You may request an additional day for timely arrival. While you may be granted a visa that allows you to stay in Switzerland for a longer period of time, requesting additional dates outside of the event may lead to your visa request being rejected.
- Visa Cost: A Schengen visa costs EUR 80. In certain cases, the cost may be lowered or lifted.
- Visa Application Processing Time: Submit your visa application at least two months before travel, as soon as you receive your event invitation.
You are responsible for obtaining and submitting all necessary documents to the Swiss embassy or consulate. You are required to start and write your own application and your Community Manager is available to answer questions and provide guidance only.
Visa Approved or Denied: Next Steps
Rejected Visa
- Visa Decision Authority: The Swiss embassy or consulate in your place of residence decides on visa approval or rejection. The Global Shapers Team and the World Economic Forum cannot influence or reverse this decision. Refer to Swiss authorities for guidance.
- The Global Shapers Team will try to support and request reconsideration of your visa (though a reversal of the embassy or consulate's decision is not guaranteed).
- Contact your Community Manager and send a copy of the rejection document received from the embassy, including the reason(s) for rejection.
- Utilize the visa appeals process offered by every embassy or consulate if you choose to reapply.
Approved Visa
Carry a color printed copy of your visa, signed travel document and meeting invitation when travelling to and entering Switzerland.
Travel and Accommodation in Switzerland
🚂Getting Around
- Public transport is the most common way of getting around in Switzerland, no need to rent a car.
- Buy train / bus / tram tickets on the SBB website or app (discounts available if you buy them well in advance).
- Rent (e-)bikes with Rent-a-bike (available at most SBB train stations), go for a ride and give them back at another train station.
- Taxis are available everywhere, but very expensive. Uber etc. are only available in larger cities (and also expensive).
- Davos: There are free shuttle buses to get around town for everyone with a badge
💰Costs
- Switzerland uses the Swiss Franc (1 CHF = 1 USD), but if needed, you can usually also pay in Euros (but at a less favourable rate).
- Prices vary depending on which city (part) you are (Geneva and Zurich are some of the world’s most expensive cities), but on average, you can expect these prices:
- Accommodation: CHF 50 in a four-bed shared room
- Food: CHF 25 (lunch), CHF 35 (dinner), CHF 50 (dinner with drinks)
- Train ticket: CHF 90 for Geneva to Zurich (2.5h)
🛏️Accommodation
- Switzerland is small, so it’s usually best to stay in a city and do day-trips from there.
- The most budget-friendly accommodations are Youth Hostels, available in all larger cities.
- In Geneva, the Paquis neighbourhood is very central and you’ll find cheap accommodations.
💡Keep in Mind
- The most common supermarkets are Denner, Migros and Coop.
- Tap water (both indoors and outdoors from fountains) is perfectly healthy (and tasty). Bring your water bottle - no need to buy any plastic bottles.
- A lot of things close on Sundays and public holidays (depending on canton).
- It’s legal to carry / drink alcoholic beverages in public.
- Only go hiking / swimming according to your level of experience and gear (there are fatal accidents every year).
- You’ll only get public Wifi in some areas like train stations, but not consistently.
❄️Davos in Winter
- Spoiler alert: It’s cold! Avg. temperatures for Davos in January range from -0°C (316°F) during the day to -9°C (15°F) during the night.
- Make sure to pack warm clothes: Winter coat, jumper, gloves, beanie, scarf, etc.
- BUT: The venues are all heated, so make sure you can easily take off a few layers when entering a building (no thermo undersleeves etc.).
- Besides the cold temperatures, there’s also snow and (sometimes) ice on the sidewalk. Make sure to wear shoes with a good profile or get some strap-on spikes to wear over your fancy shoes.
- On the bright side: Due to the high altitude, you’ll also get a tan! So make sure to pack sunglasses and sunscreen!
- Find the weather forecast and daily live cams for Davos here.
Activities and Resources
🎢Things to Do in Switzerland
- Nature first: Go hiking in the mountains or take a boat tour on a lake.
- Visit a chocolate museum and make your own chocolate.
- Take a free walking tour - founded by a Shaper!
- Attend an event throughout the year.
Geneva
- Take a tour of the United Nations or the CERN.
- Visit the Red Cross museum.
- Take a boat ride on Lake Geneva. La Mouette is a common transport like a bus.
- Climb the Salève mountain.
- Watch the Jet d’Eau.
- Eat fondue and chill by the lake at Bains des Paquis.
- Enjoy a beautiful view of the lake at Metropole Rooftop.
- Experience the French TV show Ford Boyard at CUBE CHALLENGE - Cornavin.
- Take a walk in the Bastions park, nice restaurant there as well
- Visit the Carouge market: Thursday (14h-21h) and Saturday (6h-14h).
- Visit the old town.
- Take the boat to visit Yvoire, a small French Mediaeval town.
- Swim in the Rhone from Jonction, let yourself float until the “La Pointe” bar.
- Have a drink by the Rhone in a record store: Bongo Joe.
Lausanne
- Go for a bike ride amongst amazing vineyards next to the lake.
- Have a drink by the lake at Jetée de la Compagnie.
Zurich
- Swim in the lake at Enge, Letten, or other places for swimming.
- Visit Zurich’s small mountain Uetliberg (by foot or by train).
- Surf in the city.
- Learn about Switzerland’s history in the Swiss National Museum or about football in the FIFA Museum.
- Soak up some architecture and art at the Museum of Art, the Watch Museum, or the Pavillon Le Corbusier.
Berne
- Float (or stroll) down the river through the city and along the federal building.
- Visit the UNESCO old city and the Bundeshaus, where Swiss politics is made.
Lucerne
- Visit the lake and the famous Chapel Bridge.
- Go hiking on the Pilatus mountain and take a ride on the rack-railway train.
- Visit the Swiss Museum of Transportation, with a new exhibition about Mars and aerospace.
🔑Helpful Links
👋Swiss Hubs
Global Shapers at the Annual Meeting 2025
The World Economic Forum Annual Meeting 2025 will bring together nearly 3,000 world leaders (including 50 Shapers) under the theme Collaboration for the Intelligent Age from 20 - 24 January 2025 in Davos.
From global cooperation to jobs, climate action and artificial intelligence, your hub is sure to find a livestreamed session that ignites dialogue or new hub project. We anticipate over 5 million online viewers. Be a part of it with us! Here's what not to miss:
- Generation Uncertain, the official Global Shapers Community session featuring 5 Shaper speakers, on Friday 24 January from 10:15-11:00 CET
- Levelling the Playing Field with Asha Makana (Nairobi Hub) on Tuesday 21 January from 18:30-19:45 CET
- Balancing the Scales with Anis Kallel (Tunis Hub) on Wednesday 22 January from 9:30-10:45 CET
- Powering Progress with Stefanie Ólives (Brasilia Hub) on Wednesday 22 January from 12:30-13:45 CET
- WASH-ing Away Inequities with Bat-Orgil Bat-Erdene (Ulaanbaatar Hub) on Wednesday 22 January from 18:30-19:45 CET
- Making the Case for Nature with Justin Langan (Winnipeg Hub) on Thursday 23 January from 9:30-10:45 CET
- Protecting LGBTQI+ Lives with Alexander Cheng (Sydney Hub) and Frida Daniela Ruíz (Mexico City Hub) on Thursday 23 January from 12:30-13:45 CET
- Gen Z Changes the Map with Hauwa Mufti (Yola Hub) on Thursday 23 January from 13:30-14:00 CET
- Leading Differently: The Neurodiverse Advantage with Natalie Montecino (Denver Hub) on Thursday 23 January from 17:30-18:15 CET
- Building Communities, Brick by Brick with Nicholas Moses Ngong (Cleveland Hub) and Yevhenii Brovchuk (Kyiv Hub) on Friday 24 January from 9:30-10:45 CET
- Tackling Exclusions with Catherine McDonald (Zurich Hub) on Friday 24 January from 12:30-13:45 CET
Credits:
Created with an image by angelonz - "passports with visa stamps for asia"