which countries require a visa for switzerland

Visa requirements

Country	Visa requirement	Allowed stay	Notes (excluding departure fees)
Afghanistan	Visa required [6]
Albania	Visa not required [7]	90 days	ID card valid
Algeria	Visa required [8]
Andorra	Visa not required [9]

Aug 21 2022

Full Answer

Do I need a visa to visit Switzerland?

You do not need a Switzerland visa if you are: A national of a Schengen-area country. Schengen countries are 26 European countries who have established visa-free and border control-free travel amongst them. A national from a member state of the EU (European Union) or EEA (European Economic Area).

What documents do I need to travel to Switzerland?

If you require a visa, apply at your nearest Swiss consulate in your country of origin. Documents needed include two recent passport-size photographs and valid travel document (passport) with an expiry date at least three months longer than that of the visa requested.

Who can apply for a Switzerland short-stay visa?

In addition, you will be permitted to file a Switzerland short-stay visa application at a Swiss Embassy / Consulate / VAC only if you are a: A citizen of the country from where you are applying. A foreign citizen on a permanent/temporary residence permit in the country from where you are applying.

Do I need a visa to change planes in Switzerland?

If you are changing planes in a Swiss airport, you will generally not need a visa if you meet a set of conditions. Only nationals from a select list of countries will need a Swiss Airport Transit visa.

Do tourists need a visa for Switzerland?

Do US citizens need a visa for Switzerland? Citizens of the United States with a valid U.S. Tourist passport (blue passport) can travel to Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period without having to apply or obtain a Schengen visa.

How many countries are visa free to Switzerland?

190The Switzerland passport ranking is 7; the number of visa free destinations accessible with a Switzerland passport is 190. Please note, the list of visa-free countries is calculated to reflect the number of countries Switzerland passport holders can enter without a visa, through a visa on arrival, and through the eTA.

Is Switzerland a visa free country?

There are currently a total of 141 Switzerland passport visa-free countries, 37 Switzerland visa-on-arrival countries, and 12 eTA destinations. Altogether, Switzerland passport holders can enter a total of 190 destinations—either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA.

Do I need a visa for Switzerland with UK travel document?

UK citizens do not require an entry visa for Switzerland, neither for short stays (up to 90 days in any 180-day period in the whole Schengen Area) nor for long stays (over 90 days).

Which country has the most beautiful passport?

Top 5 most beautiful passportsAustralia passport. Each spread of the Australian passport contains a different aspect of its flora and fauna. ... Canada passport. The Canadian passport is a real shiner when it comeshidden images. ... Sweden passport. ... China passport.

How many countries can I go to without a visa?

Where can U.S. passport holders travel visa-free? As of October 1, 2021, US citizens can travel visa-free to 185 countries and territories (though a few require a visa on arrival).

Which passport is the strongest?

The World's Strongest Passports for Travel Freedom In 2022, the most powerful passport in the world in terms of travel freedom is the Japanese passport, according to the HPI. A passport issued by Japan allows the holder to enter 193 different countries and territories without having to get a visa in advance.

How long can you stay in Switzerland without a visa?

90 daysKeep track of your time in the Schengen area: You can travel up to 90 days visa free in Switzerland and the Schengen area. Currently, 26 European countries are members of the Schengen area.

Is Switzerland part of Schengen?

Germany, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland have all acceded to the Schengen Agreement and are thus ...

Can you go to Switzerland with a Schengen visa?

Switzerland belongs to the Schengen Area*. If you have a visa issued by a Schengen member state, you generally do not require an additional tourist visa to enter Switzerland or any other Schengen country. Your stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.

Can I enter Switzerland with UK residence permit?

No, having a UK residence permit (and a UK work permit) does not guarantee you the right to work in Switzerland. For this, you must obtain a Swiss work permit.

Do I need a visa for Switzerland from Germany?

Switzerland visa for citizens of Germany is required. For more information please contact the nearest Switzerland embassy.

Where can Swiss go without visa?

Visa-free travel for citizens of SwitzerlandAustria.Bulgaria.Cyprus.Czech Republic.Estonia.Hungary.Latvia.Liechtenstein.More items...

Can I travel to Europe with Swiss visa?

Yes. According to the Schengen rules, the Schengen visa is generally valid for all the countries in the Schengen area.

Which passport is the strongest in the world?

the Japanese passportIn 2022, the most powerful passport in the world in terms of travel freedom is the Japanese passport, according to the HPI. A passport issued by Japan allows the holder to enter 193 different countries and territories without having to get a visa in advance. Singapore and South Korea are tied for 2nd place.

Can I enter the UK with a Swiss passport?

EU , EEA and Swiss citizens can travel to the UK for holidays or short trips without needing a visa. In other cases, find out if you need to apply for a visa to enter the UK . You can cross the UK border using a valid passport which should be valid for the whole time you are in the UK .

Where to apply for Swiss visa?

If you require a visa, apply at your nearest Swiss consulate in your country of origin. Documents needed include two recent passport-size photographs and valid travel document (passport) with an expiry date at least three months longer than that of the visa requested.

Do you need a passport to travel to Switzerland?

In Switzerland, carry your passport at all times. Swiss citizens are required to always carry ID, so you will also need to be able to identify yourself at any time.

Is Switzerland a member of the EU?

Though Switzerland is not in the European Union (EU), it is part of the Schengen area, which means that nationals from the 26 countries that fall within this border-free region, including Austria, France, Spain, Italy and Germany, do not require a visa to enter Switzerland. There is no time limit on how long visitors from Schengen countries may stay in Switzerland.

Do you need a visa to visit Switzerland?

Citizens of other EU countries outside the Schengen area, along with Norwegians and Icelanders, may also enter Switzerland without a visa. A maximum 90-day stay in a 180-day period applies.

What Documents Are Required for a Switzerland Visa Application?

As a traveller in need of a visa, you will have to meet several Switzerland visa requirements in order to complete your application. The statutory Switzerland visa requirements are as follows:

Where to apply for a visa for Switzerland?

If Switzerland is the only country you plan on visiting within the Schengen Area, you should apply to the Switzerland representative body responsible for visa admission, located in your country of residence.

How to Apply for a Swiss Short-Stay Visa?

In order to complete the application process to obtain a short-stay visa to Switzerland, you must follow these steps:

Can My Swiss Schengen Visa Be Revoked?

Yes, your Switzerland visa can be revoked, in case the competent Swiss authorities conclude that the conditions for issuing the visa are no longer met.

How long does it take to get a Swiss visa?

The processing time for a Switzerland short-stay visa may take up to 15 days. Still, according to your specific situation, this period may be extended up to 30 days. Exceptional cases may take up to 60 days, since the Swiss embassies may have to consult with other Schengen consulates.

Can a Swiss national come to Switzerland?

If you are the spouse (husband/wife) of a Swiss national, and you wish to come to Switzerland for a short-term visit, then you will need to apply for a special visa established solely for this category of visa applicants.

Do you need a visa to enter Switzerland?

You will need a short-stay visa to enter Switzerland and any other member country of the Schengen zone, if you belong to one of the following categories:

How many countries can Swiss citizens enter without a visa?

According to a study published in February by Henley & Partners. , Swiss can enter 172 countries without a visa or with a straightforward on-arrival visa stamp. In the classification of passports that open the most doors, the Swiss are in sixth place, with the Germans (177 countries) and Swedes (176) at the top.

Which countries send most refugees to Switzerland?

This link is hard to prove, says Kaenzig, though it is true that the countries that send most refugees to Switzerland – Eritrea and Syria, not forgetting Sri Lanka – are all subject to the visa requirement.

What is the dark side of Swiss life?

The much-lauded Swiss quality of life has a dark side – namely levels of consumerism and convenience that jack up the national carbon footprint.

Does Switzerland allow tourists?

Tourists may be welcome, but Swiss policy aims to minimise the risk of illegal immigration. This criterion was decisive in the case of North Africa, as Kaenzig explains. Faced with increasing immigration by Tunisians, Algerians and Moroccans, Switzerland decided in 1990 to impose visa requirements again after nearly thirty years of visa-free travel. The same happened with certain Latin American countries, notably Ecuador and Bolivia.

Can Swiss citizens travel to Peru?

External Content. However, visa-free privileges are not always reciprocal: The Swiss can go to Peru, Bolivia, Morocco and Egypt without a visa, but nationals from these countries need one to enter Switzerland. In some countries, getting a visa is just a formality which can be dealt with on arrival at the airport.

Can Switzerland require a visa?

Switzerland can even require financial guarantees from people applying for visas, and for Bolivians, requesting a visa means going to the nearest embassy - in Peru.

Does Switzerland allow Turkish citizens to travel?

Switzerland will likely join the EU in granting visa-free access to Turkish citizens as part of a controversial agreement on migration with Turkey. But travellers from many other countries need a visa to enter the Alpine nation. swissinfo.ch took a closer look at how Switzerland divides up the world when it comes to visas.

How many countries need a Swiss visa?

According to Swiss visa rules, nationals of around 150 selected countries need a Schengen consular visa to enter the country.

What is the visa policy in Switzerland?

The visa policy of Switzerland is a set of regulations established for foreign citizens who intend to travel to the country. The requirements are determined depending on the traveler’s nationality.

How long do you have to stay in Switzerland for a Schengen visa?

ETIAS-eligible citizens who wish to visit Switzerland for more than 90 consecutive days are required to apply for a Schengen visa from the nearest Swiss consulate or embassy.

How to apply for ETIAS in Switzerland?

ETIAS for Switzerland will be available through a simple application form online, which can be completed in minutes, and electronically linked to the traveler’s passport online approved. It will be valid for multiple tourist entries to Switzerland during its validity.

How long is the ETIAS visa valid?

It permits travel for reasons of business, tourism, transit, or medical treatment and is valid for 3 years from the date of approval. In order to pre-register for ETIAS, the applicant will be required to fill out a simple online form with biographic and passport information, as well as to answer some security questions.

How long does it take to get a visa for Switzerland?

An embassy visa application for Switzerland should be submitted well in advance, as it may take several weeks for the travel document to be correctly processed and approved. Switzerland does not offer visas on arrival at Swiss ports of entry, nor does it currently issue any entry bans against any foreign nationality.

Do Swiss citizens need a visa to enter Switzerland?

According to Swiss visa rules, nationals of around 150 selected countries need a Schengen consular visa to enter the country. Travelers who need this type of document have to make an appointment at a Swiss embassy or consulate.

Swiss Visa Draft Itinerary

You will have to provide details about your stay in Switzerland such as hotel accommodation, a copy of round trip flight tickets, and a rough schedule of planned activities. Use the Atlys tools to get them for free!

Swiss Visa Invitation Letter

If you are invited by someone or a company to Switzerland or visiting friends, family, and relatives, then you will have to show a letter of invitation with the details of the host and guest.

Switzerland Schengen Visa For Minors

Children require a Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland. In addition to all the standard documents, you’ve to provide the following.

Letter of Employment for Swiss Visa

A letter of employment is required to prove that you have an incentive to return to your home country. For students, this is a letter from the university confirming your full-time admission. The letter should consist of:

Frequently Asked Questions

Proof of accommodation is a tentative itinerary showing your flight tickets & hotel stay but not yet purchased.

Which countries require a transit visa for Swiss flights?

The only countries whose nationals require an airport transit visa for switching planes at a Swiss airport are: Afghanistan. Ghana. Bangladesh. Nigeria.

What is a transit visa in Switzerland?

A Switzerland airport transit visa, also known as an A-visa, allows the carrier to transit through a Swiss airport in order to catch a connecting flight to a non-Schengen country. It falls under the short stay visa category of Switzerland. If you have an airport transit visa for Switzerland, you are not allowed to leave ...

How Long is a Swiss Airport Transit Visa Valid for?

The Swiss airport transit visa is valid for 24 hours. It is also only valid within the transit area of a Swiss airport.

What if there is no Swiss embassy in your country?

If there is no Swiss embassy/consulate in your country, you must submit your application to the Schengen country that Switzerland has outsourced visa submissions to.

Do you have to book a connecting flight to Switzerland?

You must have booked your connecting flight before you entered the Swiss airport. The Schengen Information System (SIS) or national databases do not have an alert against you which refuses you entry. You are not a threat to Switzerland’s internal security, public policy, public health or international relations.

Can you leave Switzerland at the airport?

Though, they are still not allowed to leave the airport.

Do you need a visa to enter the Schengen area?

You must wait for your connecting flight in the airport transit area, even if that means waiting in the airport overnight. The Schengen states have a list of countries whose nationals require a transit visa to enter the Schengen area. However, it is a relatively narrow list and most countries can transit through Switzerland ...