Country
Passport Required?
Visa Required?
Return Ticket Required?
Passport valid for 3 months after intended period of stay
required by all except:
1. (a) nationals of Austria,
Belgium, Cyprus, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary,
Italy, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, The
Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia
and Spain holding a valid national ID card. (b) foreigners
holding national Identity Cards issued by the governments of
Belgium, France or Luxembourg, provided they are resident in
one of these countries;
Required by all except the following for a stay of up to 3
months:
(a) nationals of countries referred to in the chart
above;
(b) nationals of countries in South and Central
America, including nationals of Caribbean island states
(except nationals of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Cuba,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Haiti and Peru who do need
a visa);
(c) nationals of Andorra, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus,
Czech Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Hong Kong (SAR), Hungary,
Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Korea (Rep. of), Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New
Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak
Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tuvalu and
Vatican City;
(d) nationals of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman,
Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Taiwan (China, PR), Thailand and United
Arab Emirates, if in possession of valid multiple-entry
Schengen visa (valid for all Schengen states);
(e)
holders of a travel document issued to refugees by the EU with
a blue cover and two golden stripes in the top left hand
corner and mentioning the agreement of 28 July 1951.
If staying for longer than 3 months, or if total length of
time spent in Switzerland exceeds 6 months within a 12-month
period, a residence permit is required. Visitors holding visas
or residence permits must register with the police within 8
days of arrival in Switzerland.
Tourist; Visitor; Business; Transit; Airport
Transit. All visas cost $20 for passengers over 18 years
of age (children aged under 18 included in a parent’s passport
are not required to pay a separate visa fee); $13 for
unmarried passengers aged under 18. Fees can vary due to
exchange rates.
3 months. Transit visas are issued to nationals wishing to
pass through Switzerland or continuing on a connecting flight
to another country. Holders of transit visas must continue
their journey within 48 hours.
Nationals of Iraq, Somalia, and stateless persons require a
transit visa at all times. Nationals of the following
countries do not require a transit visa if they hold a visa or
residence permit for an EU country: Norway, Iceland, Canada or
the USA; Afghanistan, Angola, Bangladesh, Congo (Dem. Rep.
of), Ethiopia, Ghana, India, Iran, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan,
Sri Lanka and Turkey.
Consulate (or Consular section at Embassy). UK applicants should note that residents of Northern
Ireland, Scotland, Cheshire, Cleveland, Cumbria, Derbyshire,
Durham, Greater Manchester, Humberside, Isle of Man,
Lancashire, Leicestershire, Lincolnshire, Merseyside,
Northumberland, Nottinghamshire, Tyne & Wear and Yorkshire
must obtain their visas from the Swiss Consulate General in
Manchester. Visa applications
must be made in person; postal applications are not accepted.
Tourist/Transit visas: (a) Passport or travel
document valid for at least 3 months after intended visit.
(b)1 completed application form. (c) 1 recent, passport-size
photo. (d) Fee, payable in cash only. (e) Return/onward
ticket. (f) Proof of sufficient funds in the form of a recent
bank statement/travellers’ cheques (approximately equivalent
to £50 per day). (g) Hotel reservation. Visitor visas:
(a)-(f) and(g) Invitation letter from Swiss residents sent
directly to the Embassy, accompanied by a copy of the Swiss
resident’s Swiss Passport/ID card or Swiss Resident Permit. In
special cases a declaration of guarantee completed by the
applicant and the resident, may be required, which must then
be endorsed by the Aliens Police of the resident’s canton.
Business visas: (a)-(g) and(h) Proof of existing
business connections or an invitation from Swiss company or
business partner sent directly to the Embassy.
Generally 24 hours although travellers are advised to apply
at least one week prior to departure. Some applications may
need to be referred to the Swiss authorities, which can take
6-8 weeks for approval.
Nationals of most European and some other countries do not
require a visa if they intend to take up employment or
residence in Switzerland; however, before entry they must
obtain an Assurance of a Residence Permit from their
employer in Switzerland. Students who wish to attend school,
college or university for more than 3 months must apply for
a Residence Permit well in advance through their local
Embassy or Consulate.
Tadistrasse 7, 8027 Zuerich, Switzerland
Tel: (1) 288
1111. Fax: (1) 288 1205.
E-mail: [email protected]
Website:
http://www.myswitzerland.com/
Rabies is present. For those at high risk,
vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are
bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more
information see the Health appendix
Health insurance is essential. Medical facilities in
Switzerland are among the best in Europe, but treatment is
expensive. Various leaflets giving information on health spas
and clinics are available from Switzerland Tourism.
Jan 1-2 2002 New Year. Mar 29 Good Friday.
Apr 1 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May
9 Ascension Day. May 20 Whit Monday. Aug 1
National Day. Dec 25-26 Christmas. Jan 1-2 2003
New Year. Apr 18 Good Friday. Apr 21 Easter
Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 29 Ascension Day.
Jun 9 Whit Monday. Aug 1 National Day. Dec
25-26 Christmas.
Destination Guide – Switzerland
Passport and Visa Application
Health
Holidays
Passports
Visas
Note
Types of visa and cost
Validity
Note
Application to
Application requirements
Working days required
Temporary residence
Addresses
Other risks
Health care
Public Holidays
Note
| British | yes | no | no |
| Australian | yes | no | no |
| Canadian | yes | no | no |
| USA | yes | no | no |
| Other EU | 1 | no | no |
| Japanese | yes | no | no |
| Switzerland Tourism |
|
|
|
|
| Health Precaution | Special Precaution | Certificate |
|---|---|---|
| Yellow Fever | no | no |
| Cholera | no | no |
| Typhoid and Polio | no | n/a |
| Malaria | no | n/a |
| Food and Drink | no | n/a |
|
There are additional regional holidays which are observed in certain cantons only. |