To determine if you need a visa for entering or transiting Switzerland, please have a look at the lists in the following link:

 Informations for entry to Switzerland

Liechtenstein: The entry regulations are the same as for Switzerland.

A Schengen visa is valid for the member states of the Schengen agreement: A Schengen visa issued by an Embassy or a consulate of the below countries allows the holder to move freely in all these countries for a short term

maximum 90 days within 180 days

as

a tourist – for a private visit – for business purposes

• Austria
• Belgium
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• France
• Germany
• Greece
• Hungary
• Iceland
• Italy
• Latvia
• Liechtenstein
• Lithuania
• Luxemburg
• Malta
• Monaco
• The Czech Republic
• The Netherlands
• Norway
• Poland
• Portugal
• Slovakia
• Slovenia
• Spain
• Sweden
• Switzerland

Please note that holders of Schengen Visas are still subject to immigration procedure and are not guaranteed entry into any of the Schengen countries, even though they may hold a valid visa for these countries.

The Embassy would like to point out that the border authorities are obliged to examine whether, at the time of your entry, the prerequisites for entry continue to apply. This examination is international practice. If the prerequisites for entry or transit no longer apply, or if you are unable to provide the relevant evidence, you may be refused entry by the border authorities although you are in possession of a valid visa.

Therefore the Embassy recommends that you carry with you copies of the documents (e.g. letters of invitation, travel confirmations) which you enclosed with your visa application. This will help to make the border control procedure easier and avoid delays at the border.

If you wish to visit only one of the Schengen countries, you must apply at the Embassy to that country. If you wish to visit more than one of the Schengen countries, you must apply at the Embassy of the country which is your main destination. If you do not have a main desti-nation, you must apply at the Embassy of the country you will travel first. The visa shall be applied in the country where you reside legally.

As a main rule you have to apply in person at the Swiss Embassy.

It is essential to allow yourself sufficient time when applying for a visa. The process may take up to 2 weeks, sometimes even longer. Please remember to note your telephone number, fax number or e-mail address so the Embassy can contact you when a decision has been reached.

The following original documents are required in German, French, Italian or English:

• Application form, fully completed in capital letters dated and signed
• Two coloured passport photograph: must be less than 6 months old, length 47 mm, width 36 mm, with the head length 32-36 mm, taken with a plain light-coloured back-ground
• Passport (with a validity exceeding 3 months after your scheduled return to Japan. Please be aware that Visa sticker requires at least two blank visa pages and the sticker can not be attached in the added pages of the passport).
• Re-entry permit to Japan (with a validity exceeding 3 months after your scheduled return to Japan)
• Alien Registration Card
• Overseas travel insurance certificate which covers the entire stay in Schengen countries. Minimum insurance coverage of 30’000 EURO for medical expenses and repatriation expenses due to sickness or accident.
• Scheduled program
• Reservation for travel tickets
• Hotel reservation or invitation form the host with exact address and housing arrange-ments
• Employment certificate on the company's letterhead including annual salary and duration of the vacation. If self-employed bring registration of your company. Students must bring enrolment certificate.
• Sufficient funds to cover your stay in Switzerland, i.e. bank statement, bankbook or guarantee declaration
• For minors (up to 18 years) parents declaration of consent of travel, certified by notary public and a copy of their passports
• Visa for the final destination if the purpose of travel in Switzerland is a transit

In some cases further documents may be requested. 

The following original documents are required in German, French, Italian of English:

• Application form, fully completed in capital letters dated and signed
• Two coloured passport photograph: must be less than 6 months old, length 47 mm, width 36 mm, with the head length 32-36 mm, taken with a plain light-coloured back-ground
• Passport (with a validity exceeding 3 months after your scheduled return to Japan. Please be aware that Visa sticker requires at least two blank visa pages and the sticker can not be attached in the added pages of the passport).
• Re-entry permit to Japan (with a validity exceeding 3 months after your scheduled re-turn to Japan)
• Alien Registration Card
• Overseas travel insurance certificate which covers the entire stay in Schengen countries. Minimum insurance coverage of 30’000 EURO for medical expenses and repatriation expenses due to sickness or accident.
• Scheduled program
• Reservation for travel tickets
• Invitations letter from your partner company on the company's letterhead confirming the duration and purpose of the visit
• Statement of your employer on the company's letterhead certifying the purpose of the visit
• For minors (up to 18 years) parents declaration of consent of travel, certified by notary public and a copy of their passports
• Visa for the final destination if the purpose of travel in Switzerland is a transit

In some cases further documents may be requested.

• Same requirements except travel insurance is not required

In some cases further documents may be requested.

You will need to apply for a staying permit and need to hand in the following:

To study :
(three copies of each of the following items)

• Original application form which has to be signed by the applicant (same signature as in the passport) completed and readable. The application form can be downloaded.
• Recent photo (passport size).
• Letter of admission from the school or the professor
• Financial guarantees for at least one year’s expenses: i.e. scholarship confirmation, statement/confirmation from a bank in Switzerland (if a third party other than the applicant pays expenses, this person’s bank statement and a guarantee letter)
• Payment certificate/receipt for school/accommodation
• Motivation letter of the applicant mentioning personal history, purpose of the study in Switzerland and future plans.
• Diplomas and/or certificates from the last attended school

To work :
(three copies of each of the following items)

• Original application form which has to be signed by the applicant (same signature as in the passport), completed and readable. The application form can be downloaded.
• Recent photo (passport size)
• Employment contract (in case the expenses will be borne by a third party, the confirmation letter for expense payment from the person)

Other purposes :  
Please contact the Embassy of Switzerland for more information.

Procedure :
The applicant has to pay 60 EURO (processing fee) + 5 SFr (mailing cost to Switzerland) in JPY. The fees are subject to change according to the exchange rate. Please note that the fee is due when applying for a staying permit and will not be refunded in case of refusal. The application forms and additional documents will then be submitted to the competent authorities in Switzerland for decision. This procedure might take several months and the competent authorities in Switzerland might request additional documents. Please note that during the procedure of decision taking no information on the state of the procedure can be given by the Embassy.