General information about entering Switzerland and the general section of VBC instructions (Visa and Border control) can be found at the website of the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) - see link provided in the link box on the right side of this page.

On our website you find information how to obtain a visa at the Embassy of Switzerland in Moscow or the Consulate General in St. Petersburg for people living in the Russian Federation and in the Republic of Belarus.

On February 01, 2011, the Visa Facilitation Agreement between Switzerland and the Russian Federation entered into force. It only concerns Schengen Visa and brings several changes (enumeration not conclusive):

• Holders of Russian diplomatic passports are entitled to visa-fee travel
• The visa handling fee amounts to EUR 35.00 (only applicable to citizens of countries Switzerland concluded a respective agreement: Russian Federation, Moldova, Serbia, as well as Bosnia-Herzegovina)
• Visas are issued free of charge to certain categories of applicants
• Certain categories of applicants are entitled of multy entry-visas with a validity of up to 5 years
• Certain categories of applicants are entitled of multy entry-visas with a valdidity between 2 and 5 years, provided certain criterias are met.
• In case of loss or theft of a travel document with a visa while in Switzerland, a valid identity document or other authorization issued by the Embassy or a Consulate of the Russian Federation in Switzerland entitles to departure without the need of a (new) visa. Condition: the new document must entitle the holder to cross the borders

For the full agreement-text see the website of the Federal Office of Migration (FOM) - link provided in the link box on the right side of this page. 

People residing in the Russian Federation (except northwest region) apply for their visas at the Embassy of Switzerland in Moscow (see link).

Visa applications will be processed by appointment only.  

Call Center
To get your appointment and detailed information please call: +7 495 641 38 89 or +7 495 974 24 59. The services of the call center are available from Monday to Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. Please note that your call will be charged at RUR 115.00 per minute by the call center (minimum charge is RUR 230.00). This fee will be either charged to your credit card or can be settled at a so called Qiwi-Terminal (public payment stations in Russia).

Visa section
Applicants can also book an appointment directly with the visa section; either by applying in person at the counters, Monday - Friday, 11:15 a.m. - 11:45 a.m. (submission of documents at the same time not possible!) or by sending a fax to +7 495 225 88 36, indicating surname, first name, number of application(s) and phone number and e-mail address for confirming an appointment. Such appointments are subject to availability. Depending on the demand, a waiting period may result.

Processed visas will normally be handed out after three working days (not counting day of deposit) and after payment of the visa fee from 02:00 to 03:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday, except public holidays). Missing documents, the need for a personal interview or internal consultations delay the visa process. Applications should therefore be submitted early enough.

People intending to visit Switzerland on an invitation from an International Organization (please see the list following the link below) may submit their documents without prior appointment any working day from 02:00 to 03:00 p.m. (Monday - Friday, except public holidays).

Visa applications for a stay of up to 3 months (short stay, Schengen visa, type C: tourism, visit, business, medical treatment, studies less than 3 months) are to be submitted to the Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Minsk (Belarus, see link), which represents Switzerland there in visa matters in the mentioned categories:

Embassy of the Republic of Hungary
Consular & Visa department
Ul. Platonova 1/b
220034 Minsk

Tel.: +375 17 233 94 16
Fax: +375 17 233 94 17
E-mail:  visa.msk@kum.hu

 Embassy of the Republic of Hungary in Minsk

People living in the Republic of Belarus who intend to stay longer than 3 months in Switzerland (studies, taking up of residence, family reunion or marriage celebration in Switzerland with taking up of residence - visa category D) or intend do work (even for less than 3 months), have to apply for the respective visa at the Embassy of Switzerland in Moscow.

Persons residing in the northwest region of the Russian Federation (Republics of Karelia and Komi, Nenets autonomous district and regions of Arkhangelsk, Vologda, Kaliningrad, Leningrad, Murmansk, Novgorod, Pskov and the city of St. Petersburg) apply for their visas at the Consulate General of Switzerland in St. Petersburg (see link).

Visa applications will be processed by appointment only.

Call Center
To get an appointment and more information please call: +7 812 336 57 77. The services of the call center are available from Monday to Friday from 09:00 a.m. to 06:00 p.m. Please note that your call will be charged at RUR 115.00 per minute by the call center (minimum charge is RUR 230.00. This fee will be either charged to your credit card or can be settled at a so called Qiwi-Terminal (public payment stations in Russia).

Visa section
Applicants can also book an appointment directly with the Consulate General by coming in person at the counter, Monday - Thursday, 15:00 - 15:30 (submission of documents at the same time not possible!). 

The passports will normally be handed over three working days later.