Schengen /Dublin represents the coordinated efforts of the EU member states to extend the individual freedoms of its citizens whilst also making far-reaching improvements to security within Europe.
On Friday, 12 December 2008, the Schengen association agreement with Switzerland came into force. Since this time Schengen visas have been accepted for entry into Switzerland. 

You can find additional information concerning the conditions for the issuance of visas in the information given below and the documents listed on the right. In addition, information is provided by the Regional Consular Center Vienna, and can also be found at 

 Swiss representations abroad,  Cantonal immigration and labour market authorities or  the Federal Office for Migration.

A number of different regulations apply for entry into Switzerland (e.g. those for tourists, students, employed persons, and retired persons). It is worth clarifying these before you arrive. If you intend to travel to Switzerland, are expecting a visit from someone from abroad, or would like to invite someone to Switzerland, the information sheet for entry into Switzerland (listed on the right hand side of this page) could prove useful.

• For short-term stays of up to a maximum of 3 months as part of six months' stay in the wider Schengen area, you will need a visa. You can fill out the Schengen visa application form online.

• For long-term stays in Switzerland that are longer than three months and require an official permit, you will need a national visa D. The visa application form for a national visa D can likewise be filled out online.

 Bulletin "Entry in Switzerland" 
Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality
 FAQ – Frequently asked questions concerning the Entry

Anyone who wants to work in Switzerland during their stay or who wishes to stay in Switzerland for longer than three months will require a permit. This will be issued by the Cantonal Migration Offices. A distinction is made between a short-term residence permit (less than 1 year), a fixed-term residence permit and an open-ended residence permit.

You can find the various residence permits for nationals of the member states of EU/EFTA at the following link: 
 
 The various residence permits for nationals of EC and EFTA member states

You can find the various residence permits for other countries at the following link: 

 The various residence permits for nationals of other countries

Further information can be obtained from the website of the Federal Office for Migration (FOM).

 Federal office of Migration (FOM)

Entry into Switzerland for Austrian citizens: 
Austrian citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland without a visa on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid up until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland
• a passport that has not been expired for more than five years
• Children up until the age of 15 on the basis of their own passport or the child entry in the passport of the parent with whom the child is travelling

If you have any additional questions please contact the responsible customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid up until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland. 

Visa free entry to Switzerland for third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA citizens); 
Third-country nationals resident in Austria can travel to Switzerland without a visa if they are in possession of one of the following Austrian residence permits: 

 Entry from Austria (pdf, 19 Kb) (de)

together with a generally accepted and valid travel document. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Switzerland. 

Upon entry you must present your passport and residence permit. 

For other non-Austrian EU nationals, who are however nationals of other EU/EFTA countries, please consult the 'list of residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states' in the section below to see the documents that are accepted.

Entry into Switzerland for Slovakian citizens:  
Slovakian citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland without a visa on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid up until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland.
• Children up until the age of 15 on the basis of their own passport or the child entry in the passport of the parent with whom the child is travelling.

If you have any additional questions please contact the responsible customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid up until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland. 

Visa free entry to Switzerland for third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA citizens);  
Third-country nationals resident in Slovakia can travel to Switzerland without a visa if they are in possession of one of the following Austrian residence permits: 

 Entry from Slovakia (pdf, 22 Kb) (de)

together with a generally accepted and valid travel document. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Switzerland. 
Upon entry you must present your passport and residence permit. 
For other non-Austrian EU nationals, who are however nationals of other EU/EFTA countries, please consult the 'list of residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states' in the section below to see the documents that are accepted.

Entry into Switzerland for Czech citizens:  
Czech citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. at the time of leaving Switzerland

If you have any additional questions please contact the appropriate customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. at the time of leaving Switzerland.

Visa free entry to Switzerland for third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA citizens); 
Third-country nationals resident in the Czech Republic can travel to Switzerland without a visa if they are in possession of one of the following Austrian residence permits: 

 Entry from the Czech Republic (pdf, 24 Kb) (de) 


together with a generally accepted and valid travel document. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Switzerland. 
You must present your passport and residence permit upon entry. 
For other non-Austrian EU nationals, who are however nationals of other EU/EFTA countries, please consult the 'list of residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states' in the section below to see the documents that are accepted.

Entry into Switzerland for Hungarian citizens:
Hungarian citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland without a visa on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland
• Children up until the age of 15 on the basis of their own passport or the child entry in the passport of the parent with whom the child is travelling;

If you have any additional questions please contact the appropriate customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland.

Visa free entry into Switzerland for third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA citizens); 
Third-country nationals who are resident in Hungary can enter Switzerland without a visa if they are in possession of one of the following Austrian residence permits: 

 Entry from Hungary (pdf, 27 Kb) (de)

together with a generally accepted and valid travel document. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Switzerland. 
You must present your passport and residence permit upon entry. 
For other non-Austrian EU nationals, who are however nationals of other EU/EFTA countries, please consult the 'list of residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states' in the section below to see the documents that are accepted.

Entry into Switzerland for Slovenian citizens: 
Slovenian citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland without a visa on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland

If you have any additional questions please contact the appropriate customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland. 

Visa free entry into Switzerland for third-country nationals (non EU/EFTA citizens); 
Third-country nationals who are resident in Slovenia can enter Switzerland without a visa if they are in possession of one of the following Austrian residence permits: 

 Entry from Slovenia (pdf, 15 Kb) (de)

together with a generally accepted and valid travel document. The passport must be valid for a period of at least 3 months beyond the intended stay in Switzerland.
You must present your passport and residence permit upon entry.
For other non-Austrian EU nationals, who are however nationals of other EU/EFTA countries, please consult the 'list of residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states' in the section below to see the documents that are accepted.

Entry into Switzerland for Croatian citizens: 
Croatian citizens are entitled to enter Switzerland without a visa on the basis of the following travel documents:

• identity card; this travel document must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland

If you have any additional questions please contact the appropriate customs authorities:

 Customs directorates

The passport or identity card must be valid until the end of the stay, i.e. must be valid at the time of leaving Switzerland.

Please note: 

Croatian citizens who wish to stay in Switzerland for longer than 3 months (study, residence, family reunion or marriage in Switzerland with subsequent residence - visa category D) or intend to take up employment (including chauffeurs and journalists) ( even if for a period of less than 3 months) must apply for a visa at the Swiss Regional Consular Center in Vienna.

Entry for non-Croatian citizens living in Croatia:  
Visa applications for a stay of up to 3 months (short stay, Schengen visa, Type C: tourism, visitor, business, medical treatment, study for a period of less than 3 months) must be submitted to the Austrian Embassy in Zagreb (Republic of Austria) (see below), which locally represents Switzerland in visa matters for the categories mentioned: 

Embassy of Republic of Austria
Radnicka cesta 80/IX
HR-10000 Zagreb / Croatia
E-Mail:  agram-ob@bmeia.gv.at
Internet:  www.bmeia.gv.at/botschaft/agram/die-botschaft.html
Phone:+385 (1) 48 81 050
Fax: + 385 (1) 48 34 461 

Please note: 

People with residence in Croatia who wish to stay in Switzerland for longer than 3 months (study, residence, family reunion or marriage in Switzerland with subsequent residence - visa category D) or intend to take up employment (including chauffeurs and journalists) or visit Switzerland for medical reasons (even if for a period of less than 3 months) must apply for a visa at the Swiss Regional Consular Center in Vienna. Visa applications from holders of diplomatic, service/official or special passports who are not citizens of the country in which the relevant Austrian representative authorities are situated, must also submit their applications directly to the Regional Consular Center Vienna for processing.

 List of the residence documents issued by EU/EFTA member states (pdf, 249 Kb) (de)

 Visa regulations (de)

As previously, all non EU/EEA citizens require a visa.
For a stay of more than 90 days (3 months) for the purpose of study or schooling (e.g. attendance at a hotel management school, study at a state or cantonal college or university, etc.) 

 Student visa (pdf, 77 Kb)

As previously, all non EU/EEA citizens who intend to move in together with a relative living in Switzerland require a visa.

 Family reunion visa (pdf, 19 Kb) (de)

As previously, all non EU/EEA citizens who intend to work in Switzerland require a visa.

 Work visa (pdf, 23 Kb)

you can find all the necessary information here. 

 Posting of workers (de)

Please read the instructions provided in the link below very carefully and where necessary complete the online registration form. 

 Registration procedure for short-term employment