Schengen entry and exit procedure

At a glance: Visa and entry procedures for Switzerland.

Do you want to travel to Switzerland yourself or are you expecting visitors from abroad?
You can find all the important information about visa and entry procedures here.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) provides all the key information on entering and exiting the Schengen Area and on the visa procedure. Below we have put together a clearly laid-out checklist giving you an overview of the extensive information so that you can find out which entry requirements apply in your specific case.

In a few steps you can get all the relevant facts relating to the following questions:

What entry requirements apply to Switzerland?
Do I need a visa to enter Switzerland and the Schengen Area?
Which documents do I need to submit?
What insurance cover do I need?

General regulations

The entry regulations for Switzerland depend on the purpose and length of stay and the nationality of the person entering the country.

Entry requirements

For citizens of the EU and the EFTA

Valid passport, ID card or personal identification.

For nationals of third countries

If required, you must have a valid visa. You are able to demonstrate the purpose and circumstances of your stay in Switzerland and/or the Schengen country(ies) to be visited.

Valid passport, ID card or personal identification that remains valid for at least three months after the intended date of departure from Switzerland and was issued less than ten years ago (the date of issue on the travel document shall be the determining factor).

You must not remain longer than the maximum period of time permitted for stays within the Schengen Area. This is 90 days per 180-day period. You can calculate your period of stay on the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website. This is particularly important in the case of multiple journeys to and from the Schengen Area.Dies ist besonders wichtig bei mehrmaligen Ein- und Ausreisen in den respektive aus dem Schengenraum.

You have sufficient financial resources to cover the entire duration of your intended stay as well as the return trip to your country of origin, the transit trip through a third country, or can obtain the necessary financial resources by some other lawful means.

Visa

You can find the visa requirements according to nationality on the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website.

Visa-free entry

Even if you don’t require a visa you must still meet the entry requirements. If you are visiting friends or relatives in Switzerland, it can be helpful to have a letter of invitation from your host which you can show if required.

Entry subject to a visa requirement

Read the visa requirements applicable to your nationality on the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website.
Download the application form from the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) or get it from the Swiss representation abroad in your place of residence. Documents to be enclosed with the application form:

Travel documents:
1. Evidence of sufficient financial resources to cover living costs as well as the return trip.
2. Evidence of travel health insurance.
You can take out these directly with us online.

Submit the application to the Swiss representation abroad in your place of residence.

Important note

Our instructions intended as guidance and does not claim to be exhaustive. Please consult the competent authorities of your home country and country of entry for additional entry and exit regulations.

Download

Do you want to print out this information to help you prepare for your trip? Then download the handy checklist here now: Checklist for your entry

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