Visas & Customs Requirements

General Requirements:

Entry requirements for Americans:
US passport holders require a valid passport, but a visa is not necessary for stays of up to three months.

All persons, including American citizens, who intend to stay in Switzerland for more than three consecutive months, will need authorization from the cantonal authorities and a visa from the responsible Swiss visa desk. The same rule applies for all persons who intend to engage in gainful activity in Switzerland. Special regulations apply for the citizens of EU/EFTA member countries.

Processing time
The time needed for a visa request to be processed may vary from case to case. It is therefore strongly recommended to take the necessary steps well in advance, so that the visa can be issued in the time required.

Short stay visas (tourists, visitors, business)
Complete applications are in general processed within 10 days

Long stay visas (work, study, residence) initiated at the visa desk abroad
At least six to eight weeks

Visa for persons who have already received an authorization from a Swiss cantonal authority (initiated by the employer in Switzerland)
One week

Visa fee
USD 85.00 must be paid in cash or money order (made out to the competent Consulate or the Swiss Embassy) when submitting the application. If the application is made by mail, a money order is required. The fee will not be refunded if the visa is denied or the application withdrawn.

An additional postage fee of USD 6.00 is required for a long stay visa application (work, residence), which has to be submitted to the responsible authorities in Switzerland.

Additional payment options at the Consulate General in New York: All major credit cards accepted (not for postal applications)

General Consulates of Switzerland:

Washington	www.eda.admin.ch/washington
New York	www.eda.admin.ch/missny
Atlanta	www.eda.admin.ch/atlanta
Boston	www.swissnexboston.org
Chicago	www.eda.admin.ch/chicago
Los Angeles	www.eda.admin.ch/la
San Francisco	www.eda.admin.ch/sf

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