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Schengen: transit visa
Since July 10, 2006 Citizens from other countries (in possession of a B, C or Ci residence permit or a legitimation card of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs) who live in Switzerland or in Liechtenstein no longer need a transit visa. The transit through the Schengen area, however, has to be completed within five days.
For further information, please contact the consulates of these countries.
For further information, please contact the consulates of these countries.
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Entering and staying in Switzerland
Switzerland’s migration policy makes a clear distinction: On the one hand, the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons (FAZ) greatly facilitates entering and staying in Switzerland for EU and EFTA citizens, on the other hand, conditions are more restrictive for third-country nationals.The Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons has been in force since 1 June 2002 between Switzerland and the European Community as well as its member states. This gives citizens of the European Union (and EFTA) the right to enter and stay in Switzerland, provided they satisfy the requirements provided for in the Agreement.
The free movement of persons between Switzerland and the ten new member states that joined the EU in 2004 has been introduced according to separate transitional provisions since 2006. These are regulated in a supplementary protocol to the existing Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons. A second supplementary protocol regulates the free movement of persons with Romania and Bulgaria, which joined the EU in 2007. The transitional provisions for these two countries came into force on 1 June 2009.
EU/EFTA citizens still require a residence permit and a work permit. The procedure for granting these permits has, however, been significantly simplified and is exclusively the cantons’ responsibility. For more detailed information about the procedure for obtaining these permits, please contact the Immigration Office of your canton. You can also contact the Residents’ Registration Office of your new commune for information.
The Federal Office for Migration (FOM) and the Integration Office DFA / DEA provide information and contact information for all questions regarding immigration of EU and EFTA nationals. They also publish the brochure "European Nationals in Switzerland", which provides information on conditions for entering and staying in Switzerland. "EuresInfo Switzerland" provides specific information on its website for persons interested in living and working in Switzerland.
Third-country nationals remain subject to the Foreign Nationals’ Residence and Settlement Act and its regulatory statutes, particularly the Ordinance on the Limitation on the Number of Foreign Nationals. Residence regulations for non-EU member states are restrictive and residence permits are granted at the sole discretion of the authorities.
To submit an application for a residence permit, you usually need to show proof of potential employment in Switzerland. Applications are normally submitted by the future employer to the cantonal immigration or labour authorities. Entry to Switzerland is only possible once the cantonal agency issues a confirmation of the residence permit.
The FOM provides extensive information about the existing provisions on access to the labour market for third-country nationals. To apply for a residence permit in Switzerland, please contact the cantonal partner authorities of the FOM. Third-country nationals interested in immigrating to Switzerland can obtain information on the conditions for immigration to Switzerland at the Swiss representation in their country.
