The new visa waiver program for Europe’s Schengen Area will be arriving later than expected. The latest announcement from the European Union (EU) has stated that the ETIAS system will now be launched in 2025 instead of 2024. The European Travel Information and Authorisation System (ETIAS) has been in the works for several years. It
ETIAS Visa Waiver for Switzerland
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In November 2023, the European Union will introduce ETIAS, a new Travel Information and Authorisation System. ETIAS will become a requirement to travel to Switzerland and most European countries. Once available, you will be able to find more information on this website. The European Union official website is https://european-union.europa.eu/, and a specific ETIAS website will soon be launched.
ETIAS for Switzerland
The ETIAS for Switzerland, an electronic travel authorization, will allow eligible citizens to travel to Switzerland and all Schengen Area countries for short stays, and is expected to be implemented in 2025.
The European Commission is introducing the ETIAS Visa Waiver for Switzerland in order to protect and strengthen European borders by pre-screening travelers to Switzerland and other Schengen Area countries. ETIAS stands for European Travel Information and Authorization System.
The European Visa Waiver for Switzerland will allow multiple entries to Schengen Area countries, as it is a multiple-entry travel authorization valid for a total of 3 years. It is expected to allow a maximum stay of 90 days within each 180-day period.
Travelers who are eligible will be able to submit an ETIAS application for Switzerland online. The simple ETIAS Switzerland application form can be completed in just a few minutes with personal, passport, and travel information. Applicants are required to answer some basic security questions in order to submit the form and receive an approved ETIAS Switzerland via email.
The Swiss ETIAS visa waiver will allow holders to visit Switzerland and the Schengen Area for purposes of tourism, transit, business, or medical treatment.
Those who wish to study or work in Switzerland, or stay for longer periods, should contact a Swiss Embassy or Consulate for further information.
Highlights
Valid for 3 years
Grants multiple entries
Can be used to visit all Schengen member countries, including Switzerland
Permits visits of up to 90 consecutive days
ETIAS permits visits for tourism, business, transit, or medical treatment
What is Necessary?
Current email address
Passport that will be valid for a minimum of 3 months
Payment method, e.g. credit or debit card.
ETIAS Visa Waiver Requirements for Switzerland
Applicants will be required to meet the following Switzerland ETIAS visa waiver requirements for documents in order to submit an application:
- Have a passport valid for at least 3 months from the date of arrival in Switzerland and the Schengen Area.
Further requirements for an ETIAS for Switzerland involve the applicant:
- Providing valid credit or debit card details with which to pay the Swiss ETIAS fee
- Supplying a current email address at which to receive the approved ETIAS Switzerland, as well as any updates about the visa waiver status
- Printing a copy of the approved ETIAS visa waiver to present at border control alongside their passport.
ETIAS requirements for Switzerland also state that the applicant should use the same passport to travel to Switzerland and the Schengen Area as that used to complete the ETIAS form.
Travelers with dual nationality should ensure they bring the correct passport when preparing for their trip. This is essential as the approved ETIAS Switzerland is electronically linked to the same passport provided during the application.
ETIAS eligible countries for Switzerland
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Dominica
- El Salvador
- Federated States of Micronesia
- Georgia
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Honduras
- Hong Kong
- Israel
- Japan
- Kiribati
- Macau
- Macedonia
- Malaysia
- Marshall Islands
- Mauritius
- Mexico
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- New Zealand
- Nicaragua
- Palau
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Samoa
- Serbia
- Seychelles
- Singapore
- Solomon Islands
- South Korea
- Taiwan
- Timor Leste
- Tonga
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Tuvalu
- Ukraine
- United Arab Emirates
- United States
- Uruguay
- Vanuatu
- Venezuela
- United Kingdom
European ETIAS Countries
Country policy
Switzerland Visa Policy
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Check the visa policy for Switzerland to discover the travel requirements you need to meet.
Who Needs a Visa for Switzerland?
Although not a part of the EU, Switzerland is a Schengen country and shares a visa policy with the other 25 countries in the Schengen passport-free zone. Therefore, all foreign citizens visa-exempt for the Schengen Area can travel to Switzerland without a visa for short stays.
However, from 2025, it will be mandatory for these same foreign citizens to obtain an ETIAS visa waiver to travel to Switzerland and the Schengen Area. ETIAS Switzerland is an electronic visa authorization being introduced to pre-screen visa-exempt visitors to Europe in order to strengthen Schengen borders.
An approved ETIAS Switzerland visa waiver will be a multiple entry travel authorization and permit a total stay of 90 consecutive days with each entry to Schengen countries. It is valid for 3 years from the date of issue, or until the associated passport expires.
Those not eligible for apply for ETIAS, or those who wish to spend longer consecutive periods will need a visa for Switzerland and the Schengen Area. Unlike the ETIAS, which permits travel to all of the Schengen Area, a Schengen visa is normally issued for one individual country.
In order to apply for a Schengen visa for Switzerland, it is necessary to make an appointment at the nearest Swiss diplomatic mission. Applicants must then download, print and complete a Switzerland Schengen visa application to bring along to the appointment.
Switzerland visa requirements state that the applicant must also bring their passport, which must be valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of entry to the Schengen zone. It is also necessary to supply additional supporting documentation depending on the type of Swiss Schengen visa the applicant requires.
A Schengen Switzerland visa can be issued as a multiple, single, or double-entry visa, and the period of stay granted depends both on the issuing embassy and the intended purpose of the stay in Switzerland.
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▾FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Switzerland Visa FAQ
What is the ETIAS for Switzerland?
The ETIAS for Switzerland will permit eligible citizens to travel to all Schengen Area countries, including Switzerland, for short stays. ETIAS is not a visa: It is an electronic travel authorization expected to be introduced in 2025.
What is the maximum I can stay in Switzerland with the ETIAS?
ETIAS Switzerland will be a multiple entry travel authorization and allow a maximum stay in Switzerland and the Schengen Area of 90 days within a 180 day period.
How much does it cost to obtain an ETIAS Switzerland?
The government price of the ETIAS Switzerland is €7. The fee must be paid with a valid credit or debit card. The cost of the ETIAS is the same for all eligible nationalities.
Do I need an ETIAS Switzerland if I have a Schengen Visa?
No, those who have a Schengen Visa are not eligible to apply for the ETIAS for Switzerland. ETIAS is not a visa, but an electronic travel authorization for visa waiver nationalities to travel to the Schengen Area. Those not eligible for ETIAS are required to apply for a Schengen visa for the specific country they wish to visit.
Where and how can I apply for a Swiss ETIAS?
Eligible travelers will be able to apply online for a Swiss ETIAS from anywhere outside of the Schengen Area countries. Applicants will be required to complete the ETIAS online application form to receive an approved ETIAS by email.
What do I need to apply for an ETIAS Visa Waiver for Switzerland?
The following documents are required to apply for an ETIAS visa waiver for Switzerland:
- An ETIAS-eligible passport valid for at least 3 months from the intended date of arrival in Switzerland and the Schengen Area
- The traveler’s current email address, to which the approved ETIAS for Switzerland will be sent, as well as any updates and notifications
- A valid credit or debit card to pay the Swiss ETIAS fee.
How long does it take to process an ETIAS visa Waiver to Switzerland?
The ETIAS for Switzerland processing time has not yet been announced and will be published on this site when available by the government.
Do my children also need a European travel authorization for Switzerland?
Yes, will be necessary to submit a separate kids ETIAS for Switzerland application for children. All travelers from eligible countries, including minors under 18, will be required to obtain an ETIAS to travel to Switzerland and Schengen Area for short stays.
How soon before my arrival in Switzerland should I apply for the ETIAS?
The exact processing time for the ETIAS for Switzerland has not yet been announced, but it is expected that applicants will need to submit an application at least a few working days before the intended date of arrival in the Schengen Area.
Do I need to have an accommodation booking to apply for a Swiss ETIAS visa waiver?
No, it is not necessary to have an accommodation booking to apply for a Swiss ETIAS visa waiver.
What can I do if my ETIAS to Switzerland is denied?
If the ETIAS to Switzerland is denied, it is expected that applicants will be able to submit a new ETIAS application. Applicants will need to ensure that all the information provided on the form matches the details of their passport, as even a small error is expected to result in the rejection of the application.
When will I have to re-apply for the Swiss ETIAS?
It will be necessary to re-apply for the Swiss ETIAS when it expires to continue to travel to the Schengen Area. The ETIAS for Switzerland is valid for 3 years and allows multiple entries during its validity, so it is not necessary to apply for a new ETIAS for every trip.
If I have dual citizenship, which passport do I use to travel to Switzerland?
The process of applying for an ETIAS for Switzerland for dual nationals is the same as for other applicants. However, those with dual citizenship should ensure they use the same passport to travel to Switzerland as that used to complete the ETIAS application, as it is necessary to present the same passport alongside the approved ETIAS. If the traveler is a dual citizen of an EU country as well as a non-EU country, they will not be required to apply for an ETIAS.
Does ETIAS guarantee admission into Switzerland?
No, the ETIAS does not guarantee entry to Switzerland, it only grants permission to travel to the Schengen Area’s borders. The final decision for entry will be made by border officials in the first Schengen state the applicant chooses to visit.
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