Visiting Switzerland is a wonderful experience. Everyone from all around the world visit this beautiful country to enjoy the scenic beauty and various sights it has to offer. It is one of the most preferred tourist destinations for people. But, before traveling to foreign countries, you need to plan ahead by checking the visa requirements for travelling.

If you are going to visit or live in Switzerland, you need a valid travel document like a passport along with other travel documents for your visit. You must have a valid entry visa to enter Switzerland. To enter Switzerland, every visitor will require an Entry or Transit Visa. The foreigner visa application process is simple and straightforward, but it is important you apply well in advance before the planned arrival date, as it may take some time for submission and approval.

Do I Need Visa For Switzerland

Unlike many other Western European countries, Switzerland requires foreign visitors to hold a valid passport or ID card along with a valid visa except for citizens of the European Union, Schengen Agreement member states, and nationals of countries for which an exemption is applicable.

Do you need a visa?

Depending on your nationality, you need a visa to travel to Switzerland.
More information under: Nationality

General framework

• Only short-term visa applications (up to 90 days, Schengen visa) such as tourist, visit or business can be submitted online. A visa application can be submitted at the earliest six months before entering the Schengen area.
• Applications for long-term visas (over 90 days, National visa) must be filed directly with the responsible Swiss representation.
• Depending on the Swiss representation, appointments can be made for both, Schengen and National visas.
• Scheduling an appointment is free of charge.
• Before starting the application process, please consult the website of the responsible Swiss representation to determine if there is a waiting period to obtain an appointment.

Where to apply for a visa?

Depending on your place of residence, you can submit your visa application either:

• directly at a Swiss representation abroad;
• by filling out the visa application online;
• at an external visa service provider;
• at the representation of another Schengen State (Please note that this is not possible in every case due to the pandemic).

To assess your options, please enter where you have your legal residence (not your nationality):

Switzerland Visa Application & Entry Requirements

Situated in western, central and southern Europe, Switzerland is one of the most developed countries in the world. It is officially known as the Swiss Confederation and ranks at the top globally, in several metrics of national performance.

The country has an area of 41,285 km2 and a population of 8,508,898. It does not have an official capital, but the city of Bern is its de jure capital. Its two largest cities Zürich and Geneva are global cities and economic centres.

Switzerland is a founding member of the European Free Trade Association; however, it is not part of the European Union. It joined the Schengen Area in 2008 since when on, world travellers can enter its territory with a Schengen visa.

In 2017, Switzerland issued a total of 451,528 uniform Schengen visas from 517,010 visa applications received at Swiss consulates and embassies around the world. The visa rejection rate was 7.25%.

Fun fact: Switzerland has not been involved in any wars since 1815!

Switzerland Entry Restrictions in Response to Coronavirus

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, Switzerland, as well as the rest of the EU and Schengen Area members imposed an EU-wide entry ban on third-country nationals in mid-March 2020. With the improved epidemiological situation in the EU and abroad, Switzerland has lifted the entry ban for a few countries and several categories of travellers.

Read “Travel Restrictions: Who Can Enter Switzerland & What Are the Rules” to get the latest updates regarding Switzerland entry restrictions and other measures imposed by Swiss authorities.