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Visas – 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

As of 1st April 2023 onwards, the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal represents Belgium for Schengen visa (short stay up to 90 days) applications. For more information on requirement and documentation to submit, please click here.

Due to increasing number of visa applications, some delays in the visa appointment and application process can be expected. We therefore request applicants to organise their travel plan and visa application accordingly.

Online application and appointment system

Appointment through email are no longer accepted. For Schengen - C - visa applications, applicants will have to book their appointment and fill in an online visa application form through www.swiss-visa.ch. Bear in mind that the Schengen visa application processing takes up to 14 days from your application date.

However, for long stay - D - visa applications, appointment through email will remain possible.

Schengen visas (Type C) for Switzerland, Belgium, Poland, Slovakia, Latvia and Liechtenstein

The Embassy of Switzerland in Kathmandu accepts Schengen visa applications for travellers whose main destination is Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Belgium, Poland, Latvia, and Slovakia. More information here.

Long stay visa (type D) for Switzerland

The Embassy of Switzerland in Kathmandu accepts long stay - D - visa applications for taking residence to Switzerland only. More information here.

Booking of a prior appointment is mandatory for all applications types (Schengen C visa and long stay D visa).  

Please contact our visa section to make an appointment if you wish to apply.

It is the travellers’ sole responsibility to determine prior to travel whether they fulfil the entry conditions for the countries they intend to visit.

Information on the individual represented destinations can be found here: 

Latvia

Poland

Slovakia

Belgium

The information is given by the individual states; the Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal is not responsible for the content. 

Schengen visa and fraudulent practices

The Embassy of Switzerland in Nepal would like to alert you to the existence of fraudulent practices and offers in connection with the granting of visas and strongly advises you not to follow them.

Indeed, it happens that companies fraudulently offer their services on websites claiming to be able to help you to obtain an appointment or a visa. In return for information, they demand a fee. Please note that only the information on the official website of the Embassy is valid.

Please note: the visa application form is free of charge.

Further information :

If you have any doubts, please contact immediately the visa section of the Swiss Embassy in Nepal.

Note:

All information is subject to change and the Embassy of Switzerland cannot take any guarantee of completeness and correctness of the above mentioned information.

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 13.03.2023