Visa Requirements

US Citizens

For stays of up to 3 months, US citizens do not need a visa for tourist or business travel to this country, but a valid US Passport is required.

Any US citizen who wishes to travel to Switzerland for any purpose other than tourism or business negotiations (e.g. work, study, adoption, immigration, or stays longer than stipulated in the entry requirements) should contact the embassy or nearest consulate directly.

Non-US Citizens

PERSONS 12 YEARS OF AGE AND OVER , MUST APPLY IN PERSON AT THE  EMBASSY OR CONSULATE IN THEIR JURISDICTION FOR FINGER PRINTING

Permanent residents of the United States who are in possession of an actual green card, (not I-551 stamped in passport) who hold a national passport (not a refugee travel document or reentry permit) do not need a visa to enter Switzerland for a stay not to exceed 90 days. Both the green card and national passport must have at least 3 months validity remaining beyond your departure from Switzerland.

Tourist Visa

Only residents of the United States who are not US citizens and have an F1 (I-20) or H1B visa may apply for a Swiss visa. If you have a B1 and/or B2 visa, you must apply in your country of residence.

You must provide an original and a copy of each of the following documents.

  1. A valid passport or travel document. Must be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of the Swiss visa.
  2. An application form which is fully completed and signed by the applicant
  3. Passport photograph
  4. Proof of residency in the USA (i.e., a valid F1 or H1B multiple-entry visa together with a valid “I” form or another appropriate form). Only original or notarized copies are accepted.
  5. A confirmed round-trip ticket to your home country or country of residence or proof of purchase of such a ticket (i.e., a ticket or written confirmation from a travel agency or airline indicating all flight itineraries, dates and payments). Open tickets are not accepted.
  6. If requested, a valid visa in your travel document for the country you are visiting after Switzerland.
  7. Proof of sufficient financial resources: a recent bank statement or a letter from your bank stating your current balance. A minimum of $100 per day in Switzerland is required to cover expenses.

Business Visa

PLEASE NOTE: Only residents of the United States who are not US citizens and have an F1 (I-20) or H1B visa may apply for a Swiss visa. If you have a B1 and/or B2 visa, you must apply in your country of residence.

You must provide an original and a copy of each of the following documents.

  1. A valid passport or travel document. Must be valid for at least three months beyond the expiration date of the Swiss visa.
  2. An application form which is fully completed and signed by the applicant: Applications which are not duly completed, dated and signed will not be accepted.
  3. Passport photograph
  4. Proof of residency in the USA (i.e., a valid F1 or H1B multiple-entry visa together with a valid “I” form or another appropriate form). Only original or notarized copies are accepted.
  5. A confirmed round-trip ticket to your home country or country of residence or proof of purchase of such a ticket (i.e., a ticket or written confirmation from a travel agency or airline indicating all flight itineraries, dates and payments). Open tickets are not accepted.
  6. If requested, a valid visa in your travel document for the country you are visiting after Switzerland.
  7. A letter of invitation from the company in Switzerland and/or a letter from your company stating that you are going to Switzerland for business meetings and that they will pay for all your expenses.

Fees

The visa fees must be paid when you apply. If the visa is denied or you decide to withdraw the application, a non-refundable processing fee of $44.00 will be retained from your payment. An additional charge of 50% of the regular visa fee will be required if the visa is issued on the same day.

1-12 Months Validity$44.00 per visa
12-24 Months Validity$88.00 per visa
24-36 Months Validity$132.00 per visa

Regarding The Schengen Area

Please click here for more information regarding the Schengen area.

Travelers to Europe on business or tourism purposes may receive a visa for a short stay of one to ninety days, valid for all of the Schengen area countries. A Schengen visa issued by an embassy or consulate allows the holder to travel freely to all of these countries.

If you wish to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply through the embassy or consulate of that particular country.

If you wish to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa through the embassy or consulate of the country which is your main destination.

If you wish to visit several countries but do not have a main destination, you should apply for a visa at the embassy or consulate of the country which is your first point of entry.

If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country which is your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries you wish to visit. You should then apply through the embassy or consulate of the first country which does require a visa.