Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Services and visa

All consular services and visa issues are provided by the Regional Consular Centre in Bangkok/Thailand.

Consular services
Visa and entry to Switzerland

Services

Contact the responsible Swiss representation or consulate when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new passport, have moved or wish to apply for citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown menu to the right. The contact details of the responsible Swiss representation are shown on the corresponding page.

Swiss citizens who get into difficulties abroad, also can ask for advice and help from the Swiss representative.

The magazine for the Swiss Abroad appears six times a year and provides information about what is happening at home and the activities of Swiss associations abroad. It also answers administrative questions.

Online desk FDFA

Using the FDFA’s online consular services while abroad.

The relevant Swiss representation abroad can answer any questions concerning the FDFA’s online desk.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Swiss Federal Council decided to restrict entry into Switzerland.

Currently, travellers from Laos are not allowed to enter Switzerland, with the exception of the cases listed here, under the point “who has the right of free movement” & “who is not affected by the ban on entry to Switzerland”.

Holders of Schengen Visa C are not allowed to enter Switzerland. However, for persons holding already a visa or do not fall under the entry ban, the Regional consular center of the Embassy of Switzerland in Bangkok may be able to issue a Laissez-Passer to facilitate entry into Switzerland. Please contact the visa section by email.

Holders of a valid Swiss National Visa D (for family reunion, study, work, etc.) are allowed to enter.

Important: COVID-19-related, as per 08.02.2021

Negative PCR Test (Certificate in English)

All persons arriving in Switzerland by air must present a valid certificate stating a negative PCR test result on arrival. The certificate must be issued in English and not be older than 72 hours at the time of arrival. Without valid certificate, the boarding of airplanes to Switzerland will be denied.

Exceptions are listed here, however, each airline has its own rules for combatting the pandemic and therefore we strongly recommend to contact your airline in time, in order to confirm the exception.

Contact Tracing

All persons entering Switzerland by air, boat, bus or train, must complete an online form on arrival. This information helps to identify infected persons more easily, and to break transmission chains as soon as possible. More information and a download of the form are provided here.

Quarantine

Travelers entering Switzerland from Laos are currently not required to quarantine. Please click here for an updated list regularly published by the Federal Office of Public Health (BAG).

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.