Switzerland Visa Policy Info For a traveler

IMMIGRATION AND VISAS

Passport Requirements: –

A passport is required to all travelers by except the following:

1. Citizens of Italy, Belgium, and Luxembourg with an identity card which is issued for children aged less than 15 years old.

2. ‘Kinderausweis’ passengers, a German identification document given to children below the age of 16 years. For children younger than ten years of age, there is no need to include a picture of the child in the record.

3. Children aged less than 15 years old (citizens of the Netherlands or the United Kingdom under 16 years of age), traveling with parents or legal guardians, and included on the adult’s travel documents.

4. Travelers with a residence permit that is issued to citizens of Belgium, France, or Luxembourg by the governments of these countries as long as they reside in one of them.

5. Citizens of Liechtenstein and Switzerland with any official document proving the nationality of the bearer.

6. Citizens of Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Finland, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden with a national identity card.

7. German citizens with a national identity card.

8. Austrian citizens with an identity card for children.

9. Travelers with a Seaman Book that is issued to citizens of Bahamas, Belgium, Brunei, Dominica, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Italy, Kiribati, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Solomon Islands, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent & the Grenadines, Tuvalu, and the United Kingdom as long as they are traveling on duty.

10. Travelers with travel papers that are issued by a European Economic Area member country or Switzerland to recognized people without nationality or citizenship, refugees, and other persons who do not have the nationality of any country and reside in the country that has issued the travel documents.

11. People without nationality or citizenship and refugees holding ‘Titre de Voyage,’ which are travel documents issued according to the Geneva Convention of 1951 or London Convention of 1946 by the government of the country of residence.

12. Travelers with a ‘Laissez-Passer,’ which is issued by the United Nations.

13. Travelers with travel documents issued by the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo to permanent inhabitants of Kosovo.

14. Citizens of Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Monaco with a Swiss Residence permit that is issued to foreigners.

15. Portuguese children with Portuguese birth certificates.

16. Travelers with official documents such as ‘Laissez-Passer,’ which is issued by the European Union.

Document Validity: –

• Passports and alternative papers, or either of them, must be valid on arrival.
• Expired travel papers for no more than one year, which are issued to German citizens, are accepted.
• Expired passports or alternative papers without limits that are issued to Swiss citizens are accepted.
• Expired normal passports for no more than five years issued to citizens of Austria, Belgium, France, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Netherlands, Portugal, San Marino, and Spain are accepted.

Visa Issuance based on Switzerland Visa Policy: –

Before arrival: Travelers are kindly requested to contact the nearest representation of Switzerland.

Visa Exemptions based on Switzerland Visa Policy: –

All travelers must hold a visa except the following:

1. Swiss citizens.

2. Travelers are staying for no more than three months provided they are citizens of Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Andorra, Barbados, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, El Salvador, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary.

Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Republic of Korea, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Denmark, Malta, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Seychelles, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Norway, Spain, Saint Kitts-Nevis, Sweden, Uruguay, USA, Holy See and Venezuela.

3. Citizens of Moldova and Algeria with diplomatic or service passports staying for no more than three months.

4. Liechtenstein citizens.

5. Citizens of the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Macedonia, Morocco, Namibia, Peru, Thailand, and Turkey is having diplomatic, service, or special passports staying for no more than three months.

6. Tunisian citizens with special or diplomatic passports, staying for no more than three months.

7. China citizens, as long as they are with passports that are issued by Hong Kong or Macao, staying for no more than three months.

8. Travelers are staying for no more than three months provided they have British passports endorsed ‘British National (Overseas)’ or ‘British Citizen.’

9. Travelers staying for no more than three months provided they are travelers with British passports that are endorsed:

• ‘British Overseas Territories Citizen’ that contain the label ‘right of residence’ issued by Great Britain; or ‘British Subject,’ which also contain the label ‘right of residence’ issued by Great Britain;

10. Travelers with a ‘Laissez-Passer’ issued by the United Nations or special organizations of the International Court of Justice of the United Nations if they have a passport issued by the Swiss Foreign Office at the same time.

11. Travelers, irrespective of their nationality, residing for a time not exceeding five days in Liechtenstein and carrying evidence of their residency, provided that they are in transit through the Schengen Area and begin their journey to a country outside the Schengen Area other than the means of transport.

12. Travelers with travel papers that are issued by Switzerland to recognized people without nationality or citizenship, refugees, and other persons who do not hold the nationality of any country and reside in the country that has issued the travel documents.

13. Travelers with travel papers that are issued by a European Economic Area member country to recognized people without nationality or citizenship, refugees, and other persons who do not hold the nationality of any country and reside in the country that has issued the travel documents, staying for no more than three months.

14. Travelers with a ‘Laissez-Passer,’ which is issued by the Commission of European Communities.

15. Citizens of Cuba and Ukraine with official, diplomatic, or service passports, staying for no more than three months.

16. Travelers staying for no more than three months provided they are citizens of Bolivia, Colombia, the Philippines holding diplomatic or official passports.

17. Travelers with a valid permanent Residence permit that is issued by Switzerland.

18. Travelers, regardless of nationality, with a residence permit that is issued by Monaco or one of the Schengen States staying for no more than three months.

TWOV (Transit without Visa): –

TWOV is permissible for travelers continuing their trip towards a third country within 48-hours provided they do not leave the transit area and:

• have tickets with confirmed reservations and other papers required for their next trip; and
• arrival and departure to a non-Schengen country.

a. Citizens of Bangladesh, Cameroon, Congo, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea, India, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Angola, Lebanon, Nigeria, Pakistan, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sri Lanka, and Turkey, with normal passports or Seaman Books, require a transit visa at all times.

Travelers with normal passports may use the TWOV facility that is mentioned above if they have a residence permit for Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Ireland, Andorra, Romania, San Marino, Japan, USA or the UK.

b. Citizens of Cameroon, Guinea, India, Lebanon, Sierra Leone, Angola, and Turkey with Seaman Books or normal passports may use the TWOV facility that is mentioned above if:

• they have a visa for; or
• they are on their return journey after they have used a visa for: Bulgaria, Canada, Cyprus, Republic of Ireland, Japan, Andorra, Liechtenstein, Monaco, Romania, San Marino, USA, or the UK.

Additional Information: –

1. Members of armed forces who are not citizens of Switzerland must have a special permit (green card) that is issued by the Swiss military authorities, or they are not allowed to leave the transit area.

2. It is not allowed for the traveler to change the onward reservations at the transit point; that is, once the traveler has arrived in Switzerland.

3. All travelers entering Switzerland on a one-way ticket can be considered persons entering the country with the purpose of working and therefore require a visa or evidence that they will be granted a residence permit upon arrival.

Travelers entering on a one-way ticket without enough money to buy a return or onward ticket or to cover the expenses of their stay in Switzerland, or unable to provide a sponsor’s address in Switz (which will be checked by the immigration authorities), will be deported to their home country by the first available flight, at the expense of the carrier which brought them into Switz;

• This does not apply to citizens of European Economic Area member states-(EEA).

4. Travelers must have all necessary documents for their next trip;

• This does not apply to citizens of European Economic Area member states-(EEA).

Information to know:

If travelers do not abide by entry or transit rules, the transporting carrier may be fined up to CHF-1,000,000.

CUSTOMS AND FOREIGN EXCHANGE

Import regulations: –

1. Travelers aged more than 17 years old are allowed free import of the following:

• Alcoholic drinks: 2 liters up to 15% volume and one liter over 15% volume, and
• Tobacco products: 250 grams of tobacco or 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars. For quantities imported in excess of this limit, a tax of CHF 4.60 is imposed on every 0.1 liters. No more than 20 liters of wine can be imported, and this quantity is subject to import duty. For a higher quantity of wine, it is possible that very high import duties will be applied. Import by crew members is not free-of-duty.

2. Import of goods not included in the free list as above but excluding categories of foods for stocking, alcoholic drinks, and tobacco products, and intended for personal use only is allowed up to CHF-50.

3. Import of food from European Union member states is permitted as long as it is for personal use; yet, it is forbidden to import any foodstuff from non-European Union member states such as honey, milk, meat, eggs, or other products of animal origin.

4. Personal objects (2 cameras and two amateur cinema cameras, a small quantity of film material for the respective cameras, musical instruments, sports gear, underwear, toilet items, clothing, and other articles of general use that are required during a temporary stay or a trip in Switzerland. Only used personal objects are duty exempt. Goods that are not for personal use may be subject to import duty (the sum paid is given back upon re-export if import documents are presented).

5. Import of gift articles (including perfume) only for personal use as souvenirs or as gifts for a third person is allowed for residents of Switzerland so long as they have stayed abroad for at least 24 hours, and they can import goods up to CHF-200; however, the allowance for children aged less than 17 years old is CHF-100. Yet, goods or foodstuffs for stocking up are prohibited.

Simultaneously imported pieces or parts of a whole (for example, of a dish) are regarded as one item. Items exceeding the worth of CHF-300 are subject to taxes in total, even if imported by more than one person. Other travelers are allowed to import objects up to CHF 100 that are not for personal use only as gifts for a third person. However, the allowance for children aged less than 17 years old is CHF-50.

Export regulations: –

There are no restrictions on export with the exception of gold, number of watches, and cheese more than 15 kilograms that must be declared.

Pets: –

• The import of dogs and cats is subject to the special rule (EC number. 998/2003) of the Parliament of Europe and of the Council of Europe. Importing pets from European Union countries does not require a health certificate; however, it is required only when entering from a rabies-infected country via a Swiss airport.
• All dogs and cats must be identified correctly with a microchip.
• For Further Information on import procedures and allowances, including vaccinations and blood tests, please refer to the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office: Schwarzenburgstrasse 155 CH -3003 Berne; Telephone number: +41-58/463 30 33.
• Please note that it is banned to import dogs with docked ears and cropped tail, or either of them, except those accompanying their owners who live out of Switzerland and are coming for holidays or short stays or those moving to Switzerland.
• Please consult the website of the Swiss Federal Veterinary Office: www.bvet.admin.ch for detailed information on the import of birds.

Baggage Clearance regulations: –

A traveler’s luggage should be cleared at the final destination airport in Switzerland.

a. Exception:

Luggage of transit travelers whose destination is outside Switzerland and luggage of travelers departing from a European Union country.

Airport tax: –

When leaving the airport, all travelers are not allowed to pay any airport fees.

Currency Import regulations: –

There are no restrictions on importing local currency (CHF-Swiss Franc) and foreign currencies.

Currency Export regulations: –

There are no restrictions on exporting local currency (CHF-Swiss Franc) and foreign currencies.

Additional Information on regulations: –

Absinthe and its imitations and anesthetic drugs coming from all countries are prohibited.

Arms and Ammunition regulations: –

Import of Firearms:

Firearms up to two only for hunting and up to two for sporting may be imported without a permit if the bearer proves that they will be used in a sports competition or a hunting event.

Import of Ammunitions:

If in conditions such as those described above, the following ammunition is allowed to be imported:

• 250 cartridges (per rifled sporting gun);
• 250 cartridges (per handgun);
• 500 cartridges (per smooth bore sporting gun);
• 50 cartridges (for hunting).

Notes:

If travelers do not abide by the above rules, an authorization from regional police departments must be obtained before arrival.

For need information: please refer to this Central Office for Weapons, Federal Office of Police, 3003-Berne, Switz. (‘Bundesamt fur Polizei, Zentralstelle Waffen (ZSW).’ Telephone number: +41-58-463 11 23, e-mail: info@bap.admin.ch. It is necessary to declare ammunitions and firearms upon arrival at all times.

Wild Fauna and Flora: –

There are many restrictions on importing soil, plants, plant material, and fruits. For further information, please apply to the Federal Office of Agriculture, Plant Health Service (‘Bundesamt fur Landwirtschaft, Pflanzenschutzdienst’) CH-3003 Bern. Telephone number: +41 58 462 25 11.