Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Services and visa

All consular services and visa issues are provided by the Embassy of Switzerland in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Consular services
Visa and entry to Switzerland

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.

New Visa Application Center contract

Following a regular public procurement procedure conducted by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, a new contract has been awarded to VFS Global for the operation of Visa Application Centres, effective 1st July 2025.

You are permanent resident in Tajikistan:

Please note that from 1 October 2025, Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days are issued by the Embassy of Switzerland in Astana in cooperation with the VFS GLOBAL Visa Center in Dushanbe.

To book an appointment, please visit the website.

Important note: The total processing time for a visa application submitted in Dushanbe will take a minimum of 35 calendar days. This includes the transfer and processing of the visa application, and the return of the passport to Dushanbe.

To avoid any inconvenience, you can submit your visa application as early as six months before your planned travel date.

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.