Do I need a national visa?

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Online desk FDFA

Using the FDFA’s online consular services while abroad.

The relevant Swiss representation abroad can answer any questions concerning the FDFA’s online desk.

My nationality	Obligation to hold a visa (yes/no)
Japan	no

For Japanese citizens – Stay for more than 90 days consecutive

Japanese citizens do not need any visa to enter Switzerland due to the treaty of Establishment and Commerce concluded between Switzerland and Japan (only available in German, French and Italian).

However, you will need to apply for an “Assurance of authorization of staying permit” directly with the competent Office of Migration of the Canton of your future place of domicile before you enter Switzerland.

If you are married to Swiss citizens, the procedures for obtaining a staying permit should be started after you enter Switzerland. Even so, the Embassy is recommending you, to contact the competent Office of Migration of the Canton to get detailed information before you leave for Switzerland.

Some cantons inform about necessary documents on their website where the application form can be downloaded.

Office of Migration of the Canton

Study in Switzerland:

The future University in Switzerland has to submit the application for the assurance of a residence permit, to take up studies, directly with the Office of Migration of the Canton of the future study place in Switzerland. The Embassy is not involved in this process.

Other nationalities

For other nationalities, please refer to the list on the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

SEM – Overview of ID and visa provisions according to the nationality (Annex 1, List 1: nationality)

If you are obliged to hold a visa, please submit your application in duplicate and refer to the information on the webpage:

Where to apply for a national visa?

If you are not obliged to hold a visa, you are allowed to enter Switzerland without visa. However you are obliged to register within 14 days on arrival in Switzerland at the competent cantonal authority of your place of residence.