Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Publication

The dossier is intended for people who leave Switzerland to take up permanent residence in another country and work abroad.

Dossier: Living and working in the USA (PDF, Number of pages 37, 887.4 kB, French)

Other languages

Dossier: Leben und Arbeiten in den USA
Dossier: Vivere e Lavorare negli Stati Uniti

Given the current circumstances, the Swiss representations are operating at reduced capacity. Consular services will continue to be available for urgent and essential cases. In order to follow the recommended measures of social distancing, please limit your visits to the Embassy to appointments that have been scheduled in advance. Please contact your representation by e-mail and include your first name, name, date of birth and specify your situation and urgency.

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland or the Consulate General of Switzerland which is in charge for your place of residence *) when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new Swiss passport or Swiss identity card, have moved or wish to apply for Swiss citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown list to the right.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from their Swiss representation.

*) You can find out which Swiss representation is in charge for your place of residence by clicking on the tab "Representations" in the grey ribbon above.

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.

Information about travel to Switzerland related to COVID-19

Until further notice, entry to Switzerland has been restricted.

Exemptions are granted for the following travelers:

You are a Swiss citizen

For further exemptions visit the following website: SEM FAQ border closure

If you are eligible for an exemption but do not have documentation to prove this to the airline company and immigration officer at the Swiss border, please contact your Swiss representation by e-mail (NO phone calls please), provide your first name, last name, date of birth and nationality, and specify your situation and needs.

If your trip to Switzerland includes transit through another foreign country, you must also check the entry restrictions of that country.

For further information please consult the COVID-19-Ordinance or the website of the State Secretariat of Migration.

Starting July 6, 2020, travelers from the USA will have to go into quarantine when entering Switzerland. For further information, please see the website of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Starting March 19, 2020, Switzerland temporarily stopped accepting visa applications and issuing Schengen and national visas.

The visa services will resume and/or have resumed as follows:

Beginning May 11, 2020:

National type D visas for family reunification for family members of Swiss, EU and EFTA citizens
Work visas

Beginning June 8, 2020:

National type D visas for studies (over 90 days) and family reunification for family members of all nationalities

No Schengen visa applications type C are accepted for short-term stays of up to 90 days in the Schengen area for tourism, business or visit. It is at the moment unfortunately unclear when the situation will allow the issuance of Schengen visas again. As soon as the acceptance of visa applications is possible, it will be published on this website.

For further information please visit: SEM

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.