Visa Waiver for Switzerland under ETIAS
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Visa Waiver for Switzerland under ETIAS
With the implementation of the ETIAS for Switzerland in 2024, qualifying citizens will be able to visit Switzerland and all other Schengen Area countries for brief visits.
To safeguard and fortify European borders by pre-screening visitors visiting Switzerland and the additional countries of the Schengen Area, the European Commission is establishing the ETIAS Visa Waiver for Switzerland. The European System for Travel Authorization and Information is referred to as ETIAS.
This travel authorization allows for multiple entries and is valid for three years; the European Visa Waiver for Switzerland permits numerous entrances to countries in the Schengen Area. A stay of 90 days is anticipated for each 180 days.
Travelers who qualify may submit an online ETIAS application for Switzerland. You can quickly fill out the short ETIAS Switzerland application form with information about yourself, your passport, and your trip plans. Applicants must respond to simple security questions to submit the application and receive an authorized ETIAS Switzerland by email.
Holders of the Swiss ETIAS visa waiver can travel to Switzerland and the Schengen Area for leisure, business, transit, or health treatment.
For more information, contact a Swiss Embassy/Consulate if you want to study, work, or stay longer in Switzerland.
Switzerland's Requirements for the ETIAS Visa Waiver
To apply, applicants must complete the following documentation requirements for the Switzerland ETIAS visa waiver:
- A passport valid for at least three months from arrival in Switzerland and the Schengen Zone.
- Additional conditions for a Swiss ETIAS concern the applicant.
- A valid credit/debit card number so that the Swiss ETIAS fee can be paid.
- Provide a current email address to get the approved ETIAS Switzerland and any updates regarding the visa waiver status.
- Obtaining a printed copy of the authorized ETIAS visa waiver, bring with them as identification at border control.
According to the ETIAS rules for Switzerland, the applicant must use the same passport to enter Switzerland and the Schengen Zone.
Travelers with dual citizenship should ensure they have the appropriate passport when packing for their vacation. This is crucial because the approved ETIAS Switzerland is electronically connected to the applicant’s passport.
Who Needs a Visa for Switzerland?
Switzerland does not require a visa for transitory stays for any foreign citizens who are Schengen Area visa-exempt.
These same foreign citizens must apply for an ETIAS visa waiver in 2024 to visit Switzerland and the Schengen Area. To fortify the Schengen frontiers, ETIAS Switzerland, an electronic visa permission, is being used to pre-screen visa-exempt travelers to Europe.
A valid ETIAS Switzerland visa waiver will allow multiple entries into Schengen countries and a maximum stay of 90 straight days per entrance. From the date of issuance, it is valid for three years or until the accompanying passport expires.
Visas are required for Switzerland and the Schengen Area for persons ineligible to apply for ETIAS or who desire to stay consecutively for extended periods. A Schengen visa is often issued for one specific country, unlike the ETIAS, which allows travel within the whole Schengen Area.
Make an appointment at the closest Swiss diplomatic mission to apply for a Schengen visa to enter Switzerland. An application for a Switzerland Schengen visa must be downloaded, printed, and completed before being brought to the appointment.
The applicant for a visa from Switzerland must also present a passport of at least three months, valid from the desired date of arrival into the Schengen area. Extra supporting documents may also be required based on the applicant’s Swiss Schengen visa type needs.
The length of stay granted by a Schengen Switzerland visa might be multiple, single, or double entries, depending on the granting embassy and the reason for the traveler’s intended stay in Switzerland.
Countries Eligible for Switzerland
- Albania
- Andorra
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Australia
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Brazil
- Brunei Darussalam
- Canada
- Chile
- Colombia
ETIAS Information
What is Switzerland's ETIAS?
Eligible citizens will be able to travel to all Schengen Area nations, including Switzerland, for brief visits thanks to the ETIAS for Switzerland. A visa is not an ETIAS: The introduction of this computerized travel permission is anticipated for 2024.
How long may I stay in Switzerland at a time with the ETIAS?
Switzerland’s and the Schengen Area’s maximum stay will be 90 days throughout 180 days with the help of the multiple entry ETIAS Switzerland travel permission.
How much does an ETIAS Switzerland cost to obtain?
The ETIAS Switzerland is available from the government for €7. A legitimate credit/debit card is required to cover the cost. All qualifying nationalities pay the same price for the ETIAS.
If I already have a Schengen visa, do I need an ETIAS Switzerland?
No, holders of Schengen visas are ineligible to apply for Switzerland’s ETIAS. For nationalities exempt from obtaining a visa, ETIAS is an electronic travel permission to enter the Schengen Area. Those not qualified for ETIAS must apply for a Schengen visa for the nation they intend to visit.
ETIAS Application
Where do I go to apply for a Swiss ETIAS, and how?
Anywhere outside the Schengen Area can submit an online application for a Swiss ETIAS by qualified travelers. To receive an authorized ETIAS by email, applicants must complete the online ETIAS application form.
What is required to apply for a Swiss ETIAS visa waiver?
The following documents are needed to submit an ETIAS visa waiver application for Switzerland:
- A passport that qualifies for ETIAS and is valid for at least three months after the scheduled arrival date in Switzerland and the Schengen Area.
- The approved ETIAS for Switzerland and any notices and updates will be sent to the traveler’s current email account at this address.
- A valid credit card/debit card.
What is the processing time for an ETIAS visa waiver to Switzerland?
When made available by the government, the ETIAS processing time for Switzerland will be posted on this website.
Do my kids also need a visa to enter Europe to visit Switzerland?
Children must file a separate ETIAS for Switzerland application. For short stays in Switzerland and the Schengen Area, all visitors from qualified nations, including minors under 18, must obtain an ETIAS.
How far in advance should I submit my ETIAS application before I travel to Switzerland?
It is anticipated that applicants will need to apply at least a few working days before the projected arrival date in the Schengen Area. The specific processing time for the ETIAS for Switzerland has not yet been disclosed.
Is a hotel reservation required to apply for a Swiss ETIAS visa waiver?
No, a hotel reservation is not required to apply for a Swiss ETIAS visa waiver.
ETIAS Questions
If my ETIAS to Switzerland is rejected, what can I do?
It is anticipated that candidates will be able to file a fresh ETIAS application if the one for Switzerland is rejected. As even a minor inaccuracy is anticipated to lead to the application being rejected, applicants must ensure that all the information they enter on the form matches the specifics of their passport.
When will I have to submit a new Swiss ETIAS application?
When the Swiss ETIAS expires, a new application must be made to continue entering the Schengen Zone. It is not essential to apply for a new ETIAS for each trip because the Swiss ETIAS has been acceptable for three years and permits repeated entries.
What kind of passport should I use to visit Switzerland if I have dual citizenship?
Dual nationals must follow the same application procedures as other applicants to get an ETIAS for Switzerland. However, people with dual citizenship should make sure they travel to Switzerland using the same passport they used to submit their ETIAS application, as they will need to do so in addition to the approved ETIAS. The traveler won’t need to submit an ETIAS application if they hold dual citizenship in an EU and a non-EU nation.
Does ETIAS ensure entry into Switzerland?
No, the ETIAS only authorizes travel to the borders of the Schengen Area; it does not guarantee admission into Switzerland. The applicant’s first choice of a Schengen country will determine whether or not they are allowed access in the end.