Visa – Entry to and residence in 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.

COVID-19 - Regulations for air travellers entering Switzerland as of 26 June 2021:

On June 23 2021, the Federal Council decided to lift the entry restrictions for persons from third countries who are fully vaccinated.

For vaccinated third-country nationals, the regular entry requirements have been applied since June 26 2021.

Entry restrictions continue to apply to foreign nationals who are not vaccinated and are without rights of free movement, entering from risk countries or regions and who do not belong to any of the exceptional categories of the COVID-19 Regulation 3.

The following vaccines are accepted for entering Switzerland:

Vaccines recognized from Switzerland
Vaccines recognized by the European Medicines Agency
Vaccines recognized by the World Health Organization

To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck (this does not include the rules for visa).

For additional information, please consult the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Please refer to the information of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH).

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.