Coronavirus (COVID-19)
Update 8 June 2021
Visa
Switzerland and Schengen have suspended the processing of most types of Schengen visas (visa type C, short stay up to 90 days, for example for tourists, business purposes, visits of friends or family and visas to attend events). The Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal is therefore not handling Schengen visa applications until further notice.
In certain exceptions (i.e. hardship cases under the COVID-19 Ordinance, foreign spouses of Swiss citizens, non-married couples, medical emergencies, official missions, visits to family and close acquaintances in case of an absolute necessity), an application for a Schengen visa can be submitted if conditions are met and documented. For additional information please consult the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM or contact the Embassy.
Visa applications on behalf of Poland, Slovakia and Latvia are completely suspended until further notice.
National visas (for stay of more than 90 days, visa type D) are processed. A prior appointment to submit the visa application is necessary (for both type C and D visas). To make an appointment please send an e-mail to kathmandu@eda.admin.ch. Please note that visitors are subject to a strict hygiene protocol and will have to wear a mask when entering the Embassy compound.
At its meeting on 27 January, the Federal Council took a range of decisions to further contain and overcome the coronavirus pandemic. The following rules will apply from 8 February 2021:
PCR Test
All persons arriving by air - even from a country that is not considered high risk like Nepal today - must be able to show a negative PCR test result that is no more than 72 hours old. Boarding will only be allowed for travelers who hold a negative PCR test result.
Contact Tracing
Until now, only the contact details of people arriving in Switzerland from a high-risk country or region have been recorded. From now on, all persons arriving from abroad by air, boat, bus or train must complete an online form on arrival. With this information, cases of infection can be identified more easily and transmission chains broken more rapidly. Please consult the website of the Federal Office for Public Health for the complete information regarding the changes.
Mandatory Quarantine
People arriving in Switzerland from countries and areas with an increased risk of infection are required to go into quarantine. As of 18.00h on 3 May, Nepal is on the FOPH list of risk countries. Travelers entering Switzerland from Nepal need to undergo a 10-day-quarantine upon arrival in Switzerland.
The Federal Office of Public Health defines a list of countries and areas with an increased risk of infection. Anyone entering Switzerland from a country or area on this list must go into quarantine. You will find all the relevant information on the page Mandatory quarantine for persons arriving in Switzerland.
Information regarding Nepali visa and visa extension
The current arrival and visa requirements for foreign visitors are published on the website of the Department of Immigration.
According to the latest notice regarding arrival/departure facilitation, travellers entering Nepal by air have to present a negative PCR/COVID-test not older than 72 hours and proof of hotel booking for a 10-days- hotel-quarantine.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has provisioned measures for foreigners currently residing in Nepal who are unable to regulate their visa situation due to the prohibitory orders by local administrations, and tourists stranded in Nepal due to the shutdown of international flights in its “Notice regarding temporary suspension” from 19 May 2021.
Situation related to Covid-19
For information on the situation related to Covid-19 in Nepal, please refer to the official website of the World Health Organization. Please also follow the recommendations of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) travel advice "Focus Corona Virus":
Federal Office of Public Health (Switzerland)
FDFA Travel Advice, Focus Coronavirus (COVID-19)
We ask all Swiss travelers abroad to register their details and place of stay on the “Travel Admin App”. This will enable the FDFA to provide you with better support and to contact you in an emergency.
Movement Restrictions (lockdown)
Effective from 29 April 2021
Due to the alarming increase of COVID-19 infections, the Government of Nepal and the Kathmandu valley District Administration Offices issued a prohibitory order effective from 29 April. Other main cities outside Kathmandu have also introduced similar restrictions. The prohibitory orders may be extended both in duration and scope depending on the epidemiological situation.
As per the order, amongst other, mobility of public and private transportation is restricted. Essential services, such as food, medicine, health equipment and service providers, financial institutions, etc. will be allowed to open with restricted opening hours. The Chief District Officers in Kathmandu valley have extended the ongoing lockdown until 14 June 2021.
As per Government of Nepal’s notice of 14 May 2021, the suspension of domestic flights has been extended until further notice. The Civil Aviation of Nepal CAAN has approved a special flight schedule effective from 1 until 30 June 2021 for international flights. All other international flights remain suspended until further notice.
Further Information
If you are sick and show symptoms such as fever, cough and difficulty breathing, please call the Covid-19 hotline under +977-9851255839; +977 9851255837 or +977 9851255834. After consultation with a medical staff per phone/hotline, visit the nearest hospital has been designated by the Government of Nepal to treat cases of Covid-19 infection. Here is a non-exhaustive list of hospitals:
- In Kathmandu: Sukraraj Infectious and Tropical Disease Hospital (STIDH), Patan Hospital, Bir Hospital, Grande International Hospital, Star Hospital, HAMS Hospital
- In Dhulikhel: Kathmandu University Hospital in Dulikhel
- In Pokhara: Pokhara Academy of Health Science
For Covid-19 PCR testing: Every Province is now equipped to perform Covid-19 PCR tests. Please contact the Provincial Hospital for more information.
Note
All information is subject to change and the Embassy of Switzerland cannot take any guarantee of completeness and correctness of the above mentioned information.
