Embassy of Switzerland in New Zealand
As the official representation of Switzerland, the Embassy covers all matters concerning diplomatic relations between the two countries. It represents Swiss interests in the areas of political, economic and financial affairs, legal arrangements, science, education and culture.
The Embassy in Wellington is also responsible for diplomatic and consular relations with the Republic of Fiji, the Cook Islands, Samoa, the Kingdom of Tonga and Tuvalu as well as for consular relations with Niue and American Samoa.
CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)
The Embassy strives to provide the Swiss citizens with the most recent information. However, please note that regulations can change quickly and sometimes without prior notice.
The Swiss government recommends that Swiss travellers abroad return home as soon as possible. There are different commercial flights available from New Zealand (Qatar, Emirates, Singapore Airlines). Please check with the airline directly or get in touch with your travel agent.
Please consult the following websites for information concerning the situation in Switzerland:
Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH)
Focus novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA)
We advise all Swiss citizens in New Zealand to comply with the recommendations and regulations of local authorities and the Department of Health. Please keep yourself updated.
New Zealand’s border is closed to most travellers and entry is strictly controlled. All arrivals are tested for COVID-19 and a 14-day managed quarantine or isolation is mandatory. Please consult the Website of Immigration NZ Covid-19 regularly for updates and current information.
New Zealand Ministry of Health
Healthline – 0800 611 116
Temporary Accommodation Service
New Zealand Tourism: Travel Alerts 100% New Zealand
New Zealand: Alert Level
Please refer to New Zealands official website Unite Against Covid-19 for current information on the Alert Levels in effect.
Quarantine requirements in Switzerland
Please note that people arriving from certain countries are required to self-isolate.
For further information and a list of the relevant countries, please consult the website of the Federal Office of Public Health: www.bag.admin.ch.
Important information "Visa for Switzerland"
It is no longer possible to enter Switzerland from a high-risk country. However, passengers travelling from a non-high-risk country will be able to enter Switzerland even if they have a stopover in a high-risk country, provided they do not leave the transit area of the airport.
In principle, the country of direct entry into Switzerland is determining. However, if entry by air is via one or more transit airports (without leaving the international transit zone of the airport), the country of entry is not the transit country but the country of the original departure. Persons travelling from high-risk countries wil be denied entry to Switzerland.
A current list of high-risk countries can be obtained here
Please note that visas for Hungary are not processed until further notice.
All foreign nationals who are holders of a valid Swiss residency permit / D-Visa / "Assurance of residence permit" (NZ citizens only, see here) can enter Switzerland.
Swiss citizens, citizens of EU/EFTA countries as well as British citizens can enter Switzerland at any time.
For updates on high-risk countries and the general
situation please refer to the website of the State Secretariat for Migration , in particular the Covid-19 FAQ on entry and stay in Switzerland, the exceptions and suspension of visas.
Updates on the Novel Coronavirus in Switzerland can be found on the websites of the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (newsfeed of the FOPH) and the Department of Foreign Affairs, travel advice, "Focus Corona Virus".
Immigration NZ / Transiting through NZ
Swiss Citizens transiting through New Zealand to retun home do not require a transit visa as long as they have a confirmed flight out of New Zealand within 24 hours to a port which wil accept them. In most cases transit passengers must hold an Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) before travel. Please see Information about NZeTA for further detail.
Please consult the website of Immigration NZ before travelling as requirements can change without prior notice.
Links
FAQ – Visa
Please visit this page as the Embassy is not in a position to reply to e-mails or phone calls regarding visa matters.
Offers for young people
The Organisation of the Swiss Abroad gives the opportunity to young Swiss living abroad to get to know their home country.
The Foundation for Young Swiss Abroad also has similar offers.
Warning against Ticket Resellers
The Embassy advices to be careful when purchasing online. There are Swiss based operators through which event tickets are being resold, not all of them are serious. However, it is up to the commercial courts to decide whether these business practices are unfair.
If you have any doubt about an online seller, please do an online research.
Press statement by SECO of 3.10.2017
The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs SECO publishes has published a guide regarding online dealing with goods (in German, French, Italian only).
