Please note: for each applicant a complete file is required (including children). If necessary, copies of the relevant documents like copy/copies of passport(s) and residence permit(s) of family member(s) already in Switzerland are to be made for each file.

Swiss citizens whose foreign spouses and/or foreign children would like to move to Switzerland and to settle down there with him/her, should contact the Swiss Embassy/the Swiss Consulate General. Among other things, it needs to be clarified if all relevant changes of civil status (e.g. marriage abroad) have already been registered in Switzerland.

General documents for residence and family reunion:

1. 3 application forms "Antrag auf Erteilung eines Visums für den langfristigen Aufenthalt (Visum D)" (Application for long term-stay visa, visa D) duly completed (in German, French, Italian or English) and signed by the applicant in person (consult "Visa forms / Photo requirements" on this website)
2. Passport which must be valid for at least three months after the date of the first departure from Switzerland and containing at least two empty pages
3. 2 copies of the applicant's passport (pages with photo, personal data and signature)
4. 2 copies of the last two Schengen visas (if applicable) 
5. 4 identical, recent passport photographs, meeting Schengen requirements (three glued on the application form, the fourth attached ) (consult "Visa forms / Photo requirements" on this website)

Additional documents for residence:

• Proof of solvency (bank statement showing the account-movements during the last 3 months or letter of the bank confirming the balance of the account)
• Police clearance, with "Apostille", legalized and translated (into German, French or Italian - original and copy)
• Motivation letter (reason for intention to settle in Switzerland; indication of future address in Switzerland, etc.) in German, French or Italian - original and copy

Additional documents for family reunion:

• 2 copies of passport of family member already residing in Switzerland (spouse, father/mother)
• 2 copies of residence permit (B or C) of family member already residing in Switzerland (spouse, father/mother)
• Marriage certificate (Duplicata) with "Apostille", legalized and translated (into German, French or Italian - original and copy)
• letter of spouse that he/she is awaiting his/her spouse and - if applicable - the child/children in Switzerland (in German, French or Italian - original and copy)
• Police clearance with "Apostille", legalized and translated (into German, French or Italian - original and copy). For minor applicants until the age of 16 no police clearance is required

For children under 18 years of age (in addition to the general documents and the documents for family reunion):

• Birth certificate (Duplicata) with "Apostille", legalized and translated (into German, French or Italian - original and copy)
• If a child wants to live with one of his/her parents, while the second parent remains in Russia or Belarus: an authorisation signed by the one parent remaining in Russia or Belarus in front of a notary public, translated (into German, French, Italian or English; original and copy). 

The responsible authorities in Switzerland may request further documents.

The applicant's file will be forwarded to the responsible migration authority in Switzerland, therefore the Embassy/the Consulate General will charge additionally CHF 5.00 for postage (equivalent amount in RUB). The Swiss Embassy/the Swiss Consulate can only issue a residence or family reunion visa upon receipt of the authorisation. Please note that the procedure takes approximately 6 - 12 weeks.

People wishing to settle in Switzerland (residence or family reunion) must apply for their visa in person.

The Swiss Embassy/the Swiss Consulate General reserves the right to:

• request addtional documents

Please note:

• The purchase of property in Switzeland does not automatically give the right to a residence permit.
• Authorisations for residence (without employment) are issued only in a very limited number.