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Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. A basic distinction is made between citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and those of other countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the responsible authority in Switzerland.

SEM

Since Switzerland’s adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements came into force (12 December 2008), Swiss representations abroad are able to issue certain categories of visa, depending on the length of stay and purpose of the journey in Switzerland. Please select one of the following options.

Important: The visa section is closed to the public from 10 to 12 March 2020. During these days, it will not be possible to submit visa applications

Online submission of application and online-appointment booking

Please note that you have to register your application for a Schengen visa - type C (stay of less than 90 days) online with the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah and book an online appointment for your visit at our counter in Ramallah. Please note that you will still need to come to the Representative Office in person in order to go through the visa-interview, lodge the printed online application form and all supporting documents, pay the visa-fee and register your biometric data (finger prints). 

Please visit www.swiss-visa.ch 

 

Introduction of the VIS

In 2011 the Schengen member states introduced the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is also used to store the biometric data (10 fingerprints and the facial image) of the visa applicants. The diplomatic representations of the Schengen member states are connected to the system.

Along with the VIS the biometric data of persons applying for a Schengen visa will have to be captured. Therefore, every visa client has to make an appointment prior to applying for a visa.

Click here for more information related to the introduction of the VIS and the capture of biometric data.

 

West Bank and East Jerusalem

Palestinians are required to apply for a visa to enter Switzerland / Schengen States. Applications for visas can be lodged at the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah during the public opening hours (Monday-Thursday, 09:00-12:00) upon prior appointment.

Please note that you are required to register your application for a Schengen visa - type C (stay of less than 90 days) online with the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah and book an online appointment for the visit at our counter in Ramallah. Please note that the applicant still needs to come to the Representative Office in person in order to go through the visa-interview, lodge the printed application form and all supporting documents, pay the visa-fee and register the biometric data (finger prints). 

Please visit www.swiss-visa.ch

 

If you do not have your permanent residence in the Occupied Palestinian Territory, the Representative Office in Ramallah is in principle not competent to issue a visa.


For foreigners living in the Occupied Palestinian Territory: If you want to find out if you need a visa to travel to or transit via Switzerland please consult the following link of the Federal Office for Migration:

 

Gaza Strip

Since 2012 Sweden is representing Switzerland for the purpose of examining applications and issuing visas for short stays in the Schengen area (visa types A and C, ex. Tourism, Visits, Business, Cultural Events)

If you reside in Gaza and want to visit Switzerland, your application must be filed with VFS Global’s offices in Gaza.

Holders of Palestinian VIP passports and participants at official conferences and meetings organized by International Organizations in Switzerland will either have to apply in person at the Swiss Representative Office in Ramallah or at the Embassy of Switzerland in Cairo, 10, Abdel Khalek Sarwat Street, 11511 Cairo.

 

Travelling to Estonia

Since 2011, the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah is representing Estonia for the issuance of Schengen visas for citizens living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (not including Gaza). Please note that the same application form, visa requirements and instructions apply as for Switzerland. Please submit supporting documents in English, French or German.

If the stay in Estonia exceeds 3 months and for the purpose of: gainful activities (employment), study, marriage or family reunification, the visa request must be lodged directly at the Embassy of Estonia in Tel Aviv:

Embassy of Estonia in Tel Aviv, (Ha Yovel Tower, 125 Menachem Begin Rd,
Tel Aviv 61071;Tel. + 972 (3) 710 39 10)

 

Travelling to Slovenia

Since 2013, the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah is representing Slovenia for the issuance of Schengen visas for citizens living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (not including Gaza). Please note that the same  application form,  requirements and instructions apply as for Switzerland. In addition, the original "Letter of Guarantee" must be submitted with the application form and all other supporting documents. Please submit supporting documents in English, French or German.

If the stay in Slovenia exceeds 3 months andfor the puropose of: gainful activities (employment), study, marriage or family reunification, the visa request must be lodged directly at the Embassy of Slovenia in Cairo/Egypt:

Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia in Egypt, 21, Soliman Abaza Street, 6th Floor, Mohandessin, Cairo/Egypt

 

Travelling to Latvia

Since 2014, the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah is representing Latvia for the issuance of Schengen visas for citizens living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (not including Gaza). Please note that the same application form, requirement and instructions apply as for Switzerland. In addition, the original "Invitation for Requesting a Visa" must be submitted with the application form and all other supporting documents. Please submit supporting documents in English, French or German.

If the stay in Latvia exceeds 3 months and for the purpose of: gainful activities (employment), study, marriage or family reunification, the visa request must be lodged directly at the Embassy of Latvia in Tel Aviv:

Embassy of the Republic of Latvia, 2, Rehov Weizman, Amot Investments Tower, 15th floor, Tel Aviv 64239

 

Travelling to Lithuania

Since 2015, the Representative Office of Switzerland in Ramallah is representing Lithuania for the issuance of Schengen visas for citizens living in the West Bank and East Jerusalem (not including Gaza). Please note that the same application form, requirements and instructions apply as for Switzerland . In addition, the original "Invitation" must be submitted with the visa request. Please submit supporting documents in English, French or German.

If the stay in Lithuania exceeds 3 months and for the purpose of pursuing gainful activities (employment), study, marriage or family reunification, the application must be lodged directly at the Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Arab Republic of Egypt.:

Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in the Arab Republic of Egypt, 23 Muhammad Mazhar Str., Zamalek, Cairo/Egypt,

 

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

National visa for a stay of more than 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Airport transit visa

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Labour / Work permits

Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.

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Last update 10.03.2020