Visa

Visa Affairs

Switzerland is a member state of the Schengen area. Unless otherwise stated on the visa sticker, a visa issued by Switzerland is also valid for the other Schengen states and vice versa.

The following states are currently issuing Schengen visas: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and Principality of Liechtenstein.

Note: Principality of Liechtenstein becomes Schengen country members from 19 Dec. 2011

Visa-free entry for Taiwanese Nationals
As of 11 January 2011, holders of a Republic of China or Republic of China (Taiwan) passport do not need a visa to enter the countries of the Schengen Agreement as a tourist or for business purposes, provided that no employment is taken. The maximum length of stay is 90 days within six months. Taiwan passport holders have to be in the possession of a valid passport including an identity number. For update entry reminder, please see the press release at the right corner.

Visa obligation
Other Nationals please check if you need a visa to enter Switzerland and/or the Schengen Area by clicking on the Swiss Federal Office of Migration webpage.

Holders of a valid national passport (of a country requiring a visa to enter Schengen) in conjunction with a valid Swiss permanent residence card are permitted to enter the whole Schengen area without a visa.

Travel medical insurance
Nationals who require a visa must have a travel medical insurance policy for their period of stay in Switzerland respectively in the Schengen States when applying for a visa.
For Nationals who do not require a visa, it is highly recommended that they purchase a travel medical insurance for the duration of their stay, even if they are insured abroad under their statutory health insurance system.

Application
Please be aware that the application has to be made at the Schengen representation of the country of your main destination. Tourists who spend equal time in several Schengen states are required to apply for the visa at the representation of the country where they enter the Schengen area.

Visa applicants whose main destination is Switzerland are asked to come in person to the TOSI from Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 11:30 am and bring all required documents along (see different visa requirement sheets on this page). Visa applicants who plans to study in Switzerland need to make appointment for interview and test if necessary. Additional documents may be requested by the visa officer in order to assess the applicant’s personal, financial or professional situation or in order to determine the purpose of his/her travel. Incomplete applications cannot be accepted.

Processing time
The decision of granting or refusing a visa request is usually taken within 3 working days but might take longer for certain nationals or specific reasons. There are no express visas available. It is recommended to apply about 3 to 4 weeks before your planned departure date. Applicants for sponsored visitor visas as well as applicants for long stay visas (more than 90 days) for studies or employment have to apply at least 3 months prior to traveling to Switzerland.

Visa refusals
In case of a visa refusal the applicant will be informally notified of the decision. The applicant may request a contestable written decision by the Swiss Federal Office for Migration which is subject to a charge.

Please do not hesitate to contact the TOSI in case of uncertainties: