Switzerland
Visa Switzerland
Europe · Europe de l’Ouest
In Switzerland, entry falls under the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). The SEM states that it does not issue visas: it is the Swiss representations abroad that issue or refuse them. A Schengen visa (type C) application is filed online through the official visa portal or directly with the Swiss representation responsible for the place of residence; the national visa (type D) is applied for in writing or with that representation.
The information on this page helps prepare a case. Only the competent authority decides; always check the official source before filing an application.
Machine-assisted draft, reviewed by a person on 23 September 2026. Only the authority cited is authoritative.
Published on 23 September 2026 · Reviewed by vg_admin on 23 September 2026 · Sources consulted on 17 September 2026
At a glance
- Authority
- State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), Federal Department of Justice and Police
- Submission channel
- Official online visa portal (swiss-visa.ch) or the Swiss representation responsible for the place of residence, as read
- Electronic visa
- Not stated on the portal consulted; the SEM refers to an online application portal, which is distinct from an electronic visa
- Portal language
- German, French, Italian and English; pages read in English
Do you need a visa?
Choose a nationality to see the recorded entry rule. No answer is shown until reviewed data exists.
Documented visa types
- Schengen visa (type C)
- The SEM describes it as the visa for short stays in the Schengen area, up to three months in a six-month period; the FAQ states up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Official page (new tab)
- National visa (type D)
- The SEM describes it as the visa for long stays in Switzerland, of more than three months, subject to authorization. Official page (new tab)
Where and how to apply
The SEM states: "The SEM does not issue visas. Swiss representations abroad are responsible for issuing and refusing visas." The "Entry" section refers to the official visa portal www.swiss-visa.ch for where and how to file an application.
According to the SEM's FAQ, a category C visa application must be filed online using the form provided, or directly with the Swiss representation responsible for the place of residence. A category D visa application is filed in writing using the form, or directly with that same representation.
Steps in the procedure
- Determine the visa category: type C for a short stay, type D for a stay of more than three months subject to authorization.
- Complete the corresponding form: "Schengen visa application form" or "National (type D) visa application form".
- File the application online or with the Swiss representation responsible for the place of residence.
- File the application within the window indicated by the SEM: at the earliest six months before the planned trip and, ideally, at least two months before departure.
- Pay the fee corresponding to the visa category applied for.
- Wait for the decision of the Swiss representation, which alone is competent to issue or refuse the visa.
Documents mentioned by the authority
- A valid visa or a valid residence permit.
- A recognized travel document, issued less than ten years earlier and valid for at least three months.
- Evidence substantiating the purpose and the conditions of the stay.
- Proof of sufficient financial means.
- No alert in the Schengen Information System.
- No threat to public order or security.
- No expulsion order in force.
The exact list depends on the visa type and on the situation; only the official page is authoritative. The items above are the entry conditions listed by the SEM on the "Entry with visa" page, and not a list of documents to attach to the form.
Stated fees and processing times
According to the portal consulted on 2026-09-17, the category C visa fee is 90 EUR for adults and 45 EUR for children aged 6 to 12. For the national visa, the FAQ mentions a supplement of up to 50% of the fee.
According to that same FAQ, a decision on a category C application is as a rule taken within 15 days, a period that may exceptionally reach 30 or 60 days. For category D, the SEM states that the processing time varies with the canton and the purpose of the stay and that, as a rule, one should allow from one to several months.
After the decision
According to the SEM's FAQ, an appeal against a visa refusal is filed with the competent Swiss representation abroad, within 30 days of receiving the refusal.
The SEM confirms receipt of the appeal and requests payment of an advance on costs of 200 CHF within 30 days. The authority decides whether to grant or refuse.
Published procedures
No reviewed and published procedure for Switzerland to date. We prefer an empty page to an invented requirement.
Explore proceduresFrequently asked questions
Is a visa required for Switzerland?
It depends on nationality and on the purpose of travel; the rule reviewed by VisaGuideline is shown with the nationality selector on this page. Always check with the authority.
Where is the application filed?
Online through the official visa portal, or directly with the Swiss representation responsible for the place of residence. The SEM states that it does not itself issue visas.
What is the difference between the C visa and the D visa?
The SEM presents the category C visa for short stays in the Schengen area and the category D visa for stays of more than three months in Switzerland, subject to authorization.
How much does the Schengen visa cost?
According to the FAQ consulted on 2026-09-17, the fee is 90 EUR for adults and 45 EUR for children aged 6 to 12.
What can be done in the event of a refusal?
The SEM states that an appeal is filed with the competent Swiss representation within 30 days of receiving the refusal, with an advance on costs of 200 CHF requested thereafter.
Official sources
Consulted sources
Official pages read to write this guide, with the date they were read. A page may have changed since: check it before taking any step.
- Entry (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
- Entry with visa (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
- Visa Application Form (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
- FAQ – Entry (new tab) read on 17 September 2026
What this guide does not know yet
Points the official source does not specify and which this guide therefore left blank. Ask the competent authority about them before filing an application.
- Only two visa categories (C and D) are named on the pages read; the existence of an airport transit visa (type A) has not been verified on an SEM page.
- The online application portal www.swiss-visa.ch was not opened: how it works, the list of documents to upload and the payment arrangements remain to be documented.
- The exact amount of the national visa (type D) fee is not stated on the pages read: only the mention of a supplement of up to 50% appears in the FAQ.
- The pages read were in English; the French equivalents on the SEM site must be checked and substituted before publication.
Prepare my case
This method is the same for every destination. It does not list any document as an official requirement: only the authority’s source is authoritative.
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Describe your situation
Nationality, residence, purpose and dates. The checker tells covered routes apart from situations that are still unknown.
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Check at the source
Open the destination’s official source and compare it with your situation before starting a procedure.
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Track what is left to do
Your space keeps your answers and your declared checklist. A complete checklist does not announce a favorable decision.
The information on this page helps prepare a case. Only the competent authority decides; always check the official source before filing an application.