Do you need a visa for Switzerland?
The official link goes to sem.admin.ch. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you pay or travel.
What your passport needs for Switzerland.
No visa for a short visit · 21
- American citizens
- Canadian citizens
- Mexican citizens
- Brazilian citizens
- British citizens
- Irish citizens
- German citizens
- French citizens
- Italian citizens
- Spanish citizens
- Dutch citizens
- Israeli citizens
- Emirati citizens
- Hong Kong citizens
- Taiwanese citizens
- Japanese citizens
- South Korean citizens
- Singaporean citizens
- Malaysian citizens
- Australian citizens
- New Zealand citizens
The None.
| Form | None |
|---|
Arrival forms are free or nearly so on the official site. Sites that charge to “process” one are private services.
What Switzerland checks.
- Before you go. Entry/Exit System (EES): rolled out from 12 Oct 2025 and fully operational at all Schengen external borders since 10 Apr 2026. Non-EU short-stay visitors (visa-exempt and visa holders) have passport data, a facial image and fingerprints recorded at their first crossing (registration booth or kiosk before passport control), then face/fingerprint checks on later entries and exits. Children aged 11 or younger are not fingerprinted but may be photographed. Free of charge. Replaces passport stamps; the record lasts 3 years and is used to count the 90/180 days. Long-term residents of a Schengen state are exempt (carry proof). Expect longer queues; allow extra time on departure. ETIAS (travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals): NOT yet required. The official EU site states ETIAS is not in operation and no applications are collected; the 'last quarter of 2026' target was removed in July 2026 and the EU will announce the start date several months in advance (press reports point to 2027). Fee when launched: EUR 20 (Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411, in force 18 Nov 2025; free under 18 and over 70); valid 3 years or until passport expiry; at least 6 months' transition (apply, not yet enforced) then 6 months' grace.
- Your passport. Passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area. EU/EFTA citizens can use a national ID card. The US State Dept says Switzerland strictly enforces at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry for U.S. passports.
- Onward ticket. Border guards may ask to see a return or onward ticket.
- Money for the stay. Border guards may ask for proof of funds of around CHF 100 per day.
- Travel insurance. Not required for visa-exempt visitors, though border guards may ask about cover. Schengen visa applicants must hold travel medical insurance covering emergency care, hospitalisation and repatriation (minimum EUR 30,000) valid for the whole Schengen area.
- At the border. Entry/Exit System (EES): rolled out from 12 Oct 2025 and fully operational at all Schengen external borders since 10 Apr 2026. Non-EU short-stay visitors (visa-exempt and visa holders) have passport data, a facial image and fingerprints recorded at their first crossing (registration booth or kiosk before passport control), then face/fingerprint checks on later entries and exits. Children aged 11 or younger are not fingerprinted but may be photographed. Free of charge. Replaces passport stamps; the record lasts 3 years and is used to count the 90/180 days. Long-term residents of a Schengen state are exempt (carry proof). Expect longer queues; allow extra time on departure.
The visitor visas for Switzerland.
| Visa | Who it’s for | Stay |
|---|---|---|
| Schengen short-stay visa (type C) EUR 90; children 6-11 EUR 45; under 6 free | Nationals on the EU visa-required list (of our passports: RU, TR, SA, IN, CN, TH, VN, PH, ID, NG, ZA) for tourism, family visits or business. | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen area; single, double or multiple entry. |
| Short business visit (visa-free or Schengen C visa) Visa-exempt: none; C visa EUR 90 | Visa-exempt nationals can attend meetings, conferences and negotiations without a visa; others need a Schengen C visa (business purpose). | Up to 90 days in any 180. |
| Non-EU work permits: L (short-term) and B (residence) | Highly qualified managers, specialists and other qualified workers from non-EU/EFTA states. | L: up to 1 year; B: 1 year, renewable |
| Young professionals (stagiaires) agreements - not a working holiday | Young professionals (usually 18-35) from partner countries with a job offer in their field; partner list on SEM site (unverified this check). | Up to 18 months |
| Student residence permit (B) | Students admitted to Swiss institutions. | Length of course |
Data the moment you land in Switzerland
A NUM eSIM on Sunrise, Salt: install on wifi before you go, switch it on when you land, keep your own number. Your NUM concierge comes with it.
Get my Switzerland eSIM All plans and networks
Prices on 4 Nov 2026; the shop shows today’s, and the price on the pay button is the price you pay. Full refund if we can’t issue it.
Recent and coming changes in Switzerland.
- 2026-09-07 — End of the legal window that let states partially suspend EES biometric registration at busy crossings (90 days after 10 Apr 2026 plus 60-day summer extension). Expect full registration everywhere.
- 2026-07 — Official ETIAS site dropped the 'last quarter of 2026' start target; now says ETIAS is not in operation and a date will be announced several months ahead.
- 2026-04-10 — EES fully operational: biometric registration for all non-EU short-stay travellers; passport stamping ended.
- 2025-12-30 — Revised EU visa suspension mechanism (Regulation (EU) 2025/2441) applies, making it easier to suspend visa-free travel for a country; no suspension affects any of our 33 passports as of 10 Oct 2026.
- 2025-11-18 — Delegated Regulation (EU) 2025/1411 on the ETIAS fee entered into force (fee raised from EUR 7 to EUR 20, applicable once ETIAS launches).
- 2025-10-12 — EU Entry/Exit System (EES) began a phased roll-out at Schengen external borders.
- Coming Not set (2027 expected) — ETIAS travel authorisation for visa-exempt nationals (EUR 20, 3 years). Start date to be announced several months ahead; at least 6 months' transition then 6 months' grace before refusal at the border.
How to spot a copycat visa site.
- Check the address. Switzerland’s official link on this page goes to sem.admin.ch. Look-alike sites use similar names and flags.
- Compare the fee. If the price is far above the government fee, you’re paying a private service. It should say so plainly.
- Ignore “fast-track” upsells. Nobody outside the government can speed up or promise a decision.
The short answers.
Do I need a visa for Switzerland?
It depends on your passport. Of the 32 passports NUM checks, 21 need no visa for a short visit and 11 need a visa before travelling. Pick your passport on this page for the exact rule, the fee and the stay.
Does Switzerland have an eVisa?
Not for most visitors: 21 of the 32 passports NUM checks need no visa for a short visit. The rest apply for a visa before they travel, and the official site, sem.admin.ch, says how.
Is there an arrival card for Switzerland?
Not one you have to fill in ahead: the None.
How long must my passport be valid for Switzerland?
Passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the date you arrive and be valid for at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area. EU/EFTA citizens can use a national ID card. The US State Dept says Switzerland strictly enforces at least 6 months of validity from the date of entry for U.S. passports.
Does NUM issue Switzerland visas?
No. Only the government issues them. NUM isn’t a government agency or a visa service: it explains the rule for your passport and links the official site, free.
Need the rest? The full Switzerland entry requirements cover customs, vaccines, travelling with children and every passport in one table.