Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong
- Anyone over the age of 16 must present a negative test result (rapid antigen or PCR test) not older than 72 hours when entering Switzerland. This also applies to vaccinated and recovered persons.
- Everyone (also children) must complete the entry form before embarking to the plane and quarantine for 10 days upon arrival in Switzerland. This also applies to vaccinated and recovered persons.
- Those entering Switzerland must report to the cantonal authority immediately: Contact details for the cantonal authorities.
- In addition, a PCR or rapid antigen test must be conducted between day 4 and 7 after entry. The cantonal authority must be informed of the result of the second test and the number of the entry form must be sent.
- Further details on quarantine are published on the website of the Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Entry to Switzerland
To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.
Tightening of entry rules from Hong Kong
On 26 November 2021, Switzerland included Hong Kong to the list of countries with a COVID-19 variant of concern. Following rules must be considered when travelling from Hong Kong to Switzerland:
Who is allowed to enter Switzerland?
Swiss citizens, EU/EFTA citizens or persons with a Swiss or EU/EFTA residents permit and their family members (persons with rights of free movement), foreign students with a D visa are entitled to enter Switzerland. For all other cases, kindly check the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration .
Transit on the way to Switzerland
If your trip to Switzerland includes transit through another foreign country, you must also check the entry restrictions of that country. Each airline has its own rules for combatting the pandemic. It is therefore strongly recommended to contact your airline in time, in order to confirm the boarding requirements.
Everyone entering Switzerland must present a completed entry form (rare exceptions may apply, please refer to art. 3 of the COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport). It is important to fill out the electronic entry form on a computer or smartphone at the earliest 48 hours before the travel in order to receive a QR code by email. This code needs to be kept at hand for inspection upon arrival in Switzerland. The controlling authority can impose a fine if the entry form is not completed or if the information provided is false.
Should you need the vaccination certificate issued in Hong Kong during your stay in Switzerland, it can under certain conditions be transferred into the Swiss COVID-19 certificate and SwissCovid App (EU compatible). To apply for a certificate, please refer to the national COVID certificate application platform.
If you have further questions regarding visa matters please contact us via: hongkong.visa@eda.admin.ch
In case of emergency, Consular services (not for visas) remain also available outside office hours:
Helpline FDFA: +41 800 247 365 or +41 58 465 33 33
helpline@eda.admin.ch
- Recognized vaccination record - If you have been vaccinated in Switzerland, the Swiss COVID-19 certificate (on paper and on the COVID-19 App) is accepted in Hong Kong. If your certificate is the earlier version without QR-code, you might transfer it to the new format. For more information, please check with the cantonal health authorities: canton’s website and the website of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health
- Negative result proof of a PCR-based nucleic acid test for COVID-19 within 72 hours in English or Chinese issued and signed by the laboratory that performed the test. The spelling of the name of the tested person must be the same as the spelling in the travel document/passport.
- A printout of the letter of the Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong under the following Link (This letter confirms that all test laboratories listed on the website of Swissmedic are approved by the Swiss Authorities).
- It is recommended to print the page of the list by Swissmedic (see point 2) which shows the laboratory that performed the actual PCR test: Microbiological laboratories Microbiological laboratories - according to new law
- Confirmation of room reservation in a designated quarantine hotel (DQH) in English or Chinese for not less than 21 days from the day of arrival in Hong Kong. (Hotel List)
- All persons entering Hong Kong are also required to complete the Health & Quarantine Information Declaration form provided by the Department of Health online (online declaration form). The form can be filled out and submitted online by smartphone or mobile device before boarding. After the submission, you will receive a QR code, which should be saved and presented upon entry. The QR code is valid for 48 hours.
Entry to Hong Kong
As of 20 August 2021, Hong Kong authorities tighten the entry and quarantine regulations for persons coming from Switzerland, listing Switzerland as a High-Risk country (Group A).
[Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified place(s) during the relevant period (the day of boarding for/arrival at Hong Kong or during the 21 days before that day) and who have been fully vaccinated and hold recognised vaccination record.]
This means that only Hong Kong residents who are fully vaccinated are allowed to enter Hong Kong coming from Switzerland. Hong Kong residents who have stayed in Group A specified place(s) at any time during 21 days before arriving in Hong Kong are considered coming from a Group A specified place. This includes also transit at Zurich or Geneva Airport, with the only exception if the traveler did not leave the aircraft during the stopover in Switzerland (for details please refer to the Hong Kong Government Q&A page). Fully vaccinated means the last dosage has been administered at least 14 days prior to arrival at Hong Kong and the persons must hold a recognized vaccination record (for details please refer to the Hong Kong Government Q&A page).
Accompanied children of Hong Kong residents who are below the age of 12 are allowed to enter Hong Kong if all the accompanied adults fulfilled the conditions stated above.
The following documents are to be presented before boarding the aircraft and when entering Hong Kong coming from Switzerland:
The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong
This Consulate General is Switzerland’s official representation in the Special Administrative Regions of Hong Kong and Macau. Its activities are based on the five foreign-policy objectives defined in the Swiss Federal Constitution. The Consulate General namely undertakes endeavours in order to:
- safeguard the interest of the Swiss economy
- relieve need and poverty
- create respect for human rights and promote democracy
- promote a peaceful coexistence among people
- preserve the natural environment
The Consulate General of Switzerland acts as general mediator between this consular district and Switzerland and spreads information about Switzerland to the Chinese public and authorities. It is furthermore an important link between Swiss nationals in Hong Kong or Macau and the authorities at home in Switzerland. Functions that are carried out in Switzerland by local authorities (issuing passports, determining voting rights, registration of its citizens and more) are in this Consulate’s responsibility – as is the protection of the rights and interests of Swiss nationals in the event of an accident, arrest or other emergency situation.
The Consulate General of Switzerland in Hong Kong currently employs a staff of 10 persons. It is headed by Mr Rolf Frei.
Typhoon Warnings
Please note that once the typhoon signal #8 (or higher) is hoisted, the Consulate General of Switzerland remains closed.
For further information on tropical cyclones please visit:
Links
Article 54
of the Swiss Federal Constitution defines the Foreign Affairs policy of Switzerland.
approved Laboratories by the Swiss Government to conduct SARS-CoV-2 nucleic acid tests:
