Applying for a Switzerland visa
The application process
How to apply and the national long-stay routes for Switzerland.
9 Swiss resources in this topic
Requirements & how-to guidance
- How to apply for a Switzerland visaGuidance
How a short-stay Schengen visa and a Switzerland national long-stay visa are applied for, with links to the official guidance.
- Switzerland national long-stay visas (Type D)Guidance
An overview of Switzerland's national long-stay (Type D) visas for stays over 90 days.
- The immigration authority for Switzerland: the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)Guidance
Switzerland's federal migration body is the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which sets entry and residence rules while cantons and embassies handle individual cases.
- Eligibility for a Switzerland national long-stay routeGuidance
Switzerland's national long-stay routes are purpose-based (work, study, family), and for non-EU/EFTA nationals admission depends on labour-market priority, qualifications and available quotas.
- Documents for a Switzerland national visa (type D) applicationGuidance
A national visa application is made on the type D form at a Swiss representation abroad, with a valid travel document, photos and evidence supporting your specific purpose of stay.
- Fees for a Switzerland national visa (type D)Guidance
National visa fees are set by federal law and the Visa Code, charged in the currency fixed by each Swiss representation, due when you apply and non-refundable.
- Processing times for a Switzerland national visa (type D)Guidance
National visa files are decided by the canton, so timelines run to one or several months; cases with prior cantonal or SEM authorisation are issued much faster.
- Appointments and biometrics for a Switzerland applicationGuidance
You lodge the national visa application at the Swiss representation abroad (by appointment), and biometric data for the residence-permit card is captured by the cantonal migration office after you arr
- After you arrive in Switzerland on a national (type D) visaGuidance
Once in Switzerland you register with your local commune and complete the residence-permit process at the cantonal migration office, which issues your biometric permit card.