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Do I need an airport transit visa?

Transit visa rules

  • Travellers resident in the UK should be in possession of a ‘share code’ when passing through a Swiss airport. 
  • If you hold a valid UK visa, this does not exempt you from visa requirements for transit through Switzerland.
  • If you hold a UK residence permit (eVisa) you do not need an Airport Transit Visa to transit via a Swiss airport. But your eVisa must be valid for more than one month after the end of your trip.
  • If you normally need a Schengen visa and you are travelling to a third country via more than one airport within the Schengen Area, for example from London to Accra via Zurich and Brussels, you will require a Schengen Tourist Visa. This is because you will cross the Schengen Border. You will need to start the visa application with VFS Global. The Embassy will then review and process the application within the standard processing time (up to 15 working days).

My nationality Obligation to hold a visa (yes/no)
Great Britain (UK)  No 

Other nationalities

For other nationalities, please refer to the list on the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). 

SEM – Visa Instructions – Annex 1, list 2 – Special Provisions regardless of nationality

If you are obliged to hold an airport transit visa, please apply for it and refer to the information on the webpage:

Where to apply for an airport transit visa?

If you are not obliged to hold an airport transit visa, you are allowed to transit through Switzerland and stay in the airport international transit area without any visa.

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Last update 08.07.2025