Print page

Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

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.

 

Entry on the traveler’s own responsibility

Applications for the Czech Republic will re-start on 01.04.2022.
Info sheet for the Czech Republic. 

Due to the ongoing pandemic, Schengen member states have varying entry regulations. It is the traveler’s sole responsibility to determine prior to travel whether they fulfill the entry conditions for the countries they intend to visit. Information on the individual represented destinations can be found here: Estonia (PDF, 1 Page, 382.1 kB), Finland (PDF, 1 Page, 410.3 kB), France (PDF, 1 Page, 450.1 kB), Latvia (PDF, 1 Page, 624.3 kB), Poland (PDF, 1 Page, 425.0 kB), Slovakia (PDF, 1 Page, 284.2 kB), Slovenia (PDF, 1 Page, 227.4 kB) (the information is given by the individual states; the Swiss Embassy is not responsible for the content). 

                                                                                                                     

 

Change of visa telephone times of the visa section:

Monday: 15.30 - 16.30

Tuesday-Friday: 15.00 - 16.00

                                                                                                      

 

Appointments

Appointments are no longer given by phone or email.

Starting December 8th, all appointments are done through our online booking system IVIS. Please follow this link or go to www.swiss-visa.ch to book an appointment.

Appointments and the visa application form are free of charge. However, due to strict sanitary protocols long waiting times are to be expected.

 

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.

Start of page
Last update 01.04.2022