The consular section mainly takes care of the concerns of the Swiss living abroad but also of the citizens of our host country. The main tasks in a Consular section are:

• Residence registration for Swiss citizens living abroad
• Passports and identity cards matters
• Civil status matters (births, marriages, divorces, deaths, adoptions)
• Helping Swiss tourists in trouble
• Consular protection (providing help and assistance in case of detention, accidents etc.) to Swiss Citizens
• Visa and asylum matters
• Confirmation and legalisation matters
• Swiss citizenship / naturalization
• Social welfare for Swiss living abroad
• Swiss maritime navigation matters

In addition to that, all the administrative work such as finance management, staff management and housing management are part of the duties of a head of the Consular section. Furthermore he/she is responsible for the safety of the Consulate and Residence (House of the Consul General) and for the crisis management.

Further information: Link to Consular services

Your contacts

Mr Ralph Steinegger, Head of Chancery
shanghai@eda.admin.ch

Mr Michel Wiedmer, Head of Visa section
shanghai.visa@eda.admin.ch