Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

Publication

The dossier is intended for people who leave Switzerland to take up permanent residence in another country and work abroad.

Dossier: Living and working in the USA (PDF, Number of pages 37, 1.8 MB, French)

Other languages

Dossier: Leben und Arbeiten in den USA
Dossier: Vivere e Lavorare negli Stati Uniti

Given the current circumstances, the Swiss representations are operating at reduced capacity. Consular services will continue to be available for urgent and essential cases. In order to follow the recommended measures of social distancing, please limit your visits to the Embassy to appointments that have been scheduled in advance. Please contact your representation by e-mail and include your first name, name, date of birth and specify your situation and urgency.

Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland or the Consulate General of Switzerland which is in charge for your place of residence *) when you want to register or unregister as a resident, when you need a new Swiss passport or Swiss identity card, have moved or wish to apply for Swiss citizenship. The entire selection of services offered can be found in the dropdown list to the right.

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

*) You can find out which Swiss representation is in charge for your place of residence by clicking on the tab "Representations" in the grey ribbon above.

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.

Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Effective June 26, the Swiss representations in the USA have resumed their visa services and accept all types of visa visa applications. Please register your visa application online at www.swiss-visa.ch.

Attention: Before applying for a Schengen visa, please make sure that you hold a valid Green card or a valid US visa allowing you to fly back to the USA. You may check if your visa class is accepted by the US authorities to reenter the USA on the website of the US Embassy in Berne – chapter Travelers using Visa or ESTA. If this is not the case, you will either need to present an additional national interest exception visa issued by the US Embassy in Berne or risk to see your Schengen visa application refused.

For further information please visit: SEM