The disclosure is directed towards systems and methods for performing service tag switching. A device intermediary to a client and a server receives a packet including a virtual network device identifier tag that identifies a list of functions to be performed on the packet. The device tags the packet with a first service tag identifying a first functional entity of the device to which to route the packet. The device routes the packet to the first functional entity to perform a first function. Responsive to the first function being performed, the device selects a subsequent service tag identifying a subsequent functional entity to route the packet. The device tags the packet with the subsequent service tag and routes the packet to the subsequent functional entity. Once the list of functions to be performed on the packet have been performed, the device forwards the packet to its destination.