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Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Information about travel to Switzerland related to COVID-19

For travelers from Japan the general entry conditions for Switzerland apply as of 21st of June 2021. For detailed information on how to apply for a visa at the Swiss Embassy in Tokyo, please scroll down on this page to "Schengen visa application" and "Long stay Type D visa application". 

To see what rules apply to your own particular situation, when entering Switzerland, please consult the online FOPH - Travelcheck.

Following measures apply, when entering Switzerland, if you are not fully vaccinated or unable to prove that you have recovered from COVID-19 in the last 6 months: 

  • Negative PCR Test (Certificate in English)

All persons arriving in Switzerland by air must present valid proof of a negative PCR test result. Children under the age of 16 are exempt from the test requirement. The certificate must be issued in English and not be older than 72 hours at the time of arrival. Without valid certificate, the boarding of airplanes to Switzerland will be denied. The FDFA has no authority to give instructions to air carriers on matters concerning passenger access to the aircraft.

Exceptions are listed on the website of Federal Office of Public Health - FOPH. However, each airline has its own rules for combatting the pandemic. We therefore strongly recommend contacting your airline in time, in order to confirm the exception and boarding requirements.

  • Contact Tracing

All persons entering Switzerland by air, boat, bus or train, must complete an online form on arrival. This information helps to identify infected persons more easily, and to break transmission chains as soon as possible. More information and a download of the form are provided here: swissplf.admin.ch.

  • Quarantine

Travelers entering Switzerland from Japan are for the time being not required to quarantine. However, this can change anytime. Please consult the FOPH list of risk countries before you travel.

Further important information on the entry requirements can be found on the website of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

Other countries might be on the list of risk countries of the SEM. Entry restrictions continue to apply for entry from these states. The list will be adjusted as necessary. We therefore recommend that you consult the website of the SEM regularly for more information.

 

Re-entry into Japan for foreign nationals with status of residence who are returning from specific countries can still be denied. Please consult the following webpage for details: MOFA - Border enforcement measures to prevent the spread of COVID19

Following further links might be useful: 

Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. A basic distinction is made between citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and those of other countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the responsible authority in Switzerland.

SEM

Since Switzerland’s adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements came into force (12 December 2008), Swiss representations abroad are able to issue certain categories of visa, depending on the length of stay and purpose of the journey in Switzerland. Please select one of the following options.

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

National visa for a stay of more than 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Airport transit visa

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Labour / Work permits

Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.

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Last update 02.07.2021