We are happy that you would like to visit our country. Before doing so please ensure that you meet all the conditions for entry that currently apply. You will be able to find all the information you need on this page. If you still have any questions, then the staff of the regional consular center will be happy to provide you with the necessary information.

Protocol II on the Free Movement of Persons definitively came into force on 1 June 2009. These regulations concern Romania and Bulgaria. Following the entry into force of Protocol II, Romanian and Bulgarian nationals can now enter and remain in Switzerland without a visa for a period of up to 3 months. For any stay over 3 months it is always necessary to apply for a short-term residence permit or a residence permit from the relevant cantonal migration office. A valid passport or identity card is sufficient to enter Switzerland in all cases. Bulgarian and Romanian nationals who take up employment require a work and residence permit that are valid from the first day of employment onwards, this also applies even if the period of employment is less than three months. Entry into Switzerland for the purpose of taking up employment or providing services is subject to the transitional provisions foreseen in Protocol II.

On 12 December 2008 Switzerland joined the Schengen Association Agreement. Since then a Schengen visa has also entitled the holder to enter Switzerland, and Swiss visa authorities, i.e. also the regional consular center, issue Schengen visas. You are advised to note, however, that the territorial validity of a visa may be restricted by the issuing authority. This means that certain countries may be excluded from the validity of a Schengen visa. These restrictions will be indicated in the visa vignette.

When required foreigners with residence in Romania can be granted a visa by the regional consular center in Bucharest. You can use the links to find out if you are required to have such a visa. The issue of a visa can take between 24 hours and 10 days. 

The visa application must be submitted personally to the regional consular center. Once the visa has been issued the passport can be collected either by you or a third-party. Unfortunately, it is not possible to return passports by post.

You can also get additional information from the Federal Office for Migration (FOM):
Federal Office for Migration
Quellenweg 6
3003 Bern-Wabern
Tel.: +41 (0)31 325 11 11
Fax: +41 (0)31 325 93 79
 Federal Office for Migration (BFM)