Swiss visa resources
The immigration authority for Switzerland: the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
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.
Important
Switzerland's national immigration authority is the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM, Staatssekretariat fuer Migration). It is part of the Federal Department of Justice and Police (FDJP) and is based in Bern. The SEM determines under what circumstances a person may enter Switzerland to live and work, decides who is granted protection from persecution, and coordinates integration and naturalisation at federal level.
The SEM sets the federal framework, but it is not the only body you deal with. For long-stay (national / type D) cases, a Swiss representation abroad (embassy or consulate) receives the visa application and the cantonal migration authority for your intended place of residence decides whether to authorise your stay. The SEM was created on 1 January 2005 (originally as the Federal Office for Migration) and was renamed the State Secretariat for Migration in 2015.
What the SEM does
- Sets the conditions under which foreign nationals may enter Switzerland to live and work
- Is responsible for all matters covered by legislation on foreign nationals and on asylum
- Coordinates integration of foreign nationals and handles naturalisation at federal level
- Works with the cantons on admission, accommodation and returns
Who does what
- SEM (federal): rules, policy, and federal-level approvals
- Cantonal migration authorities: decide on residence permits and authorise long-stay visas for their canton
- Swiss representations abroad (embassies/consulates): receive national visa applications and issue or refuse visas after cantonal approval
Next steps
Official sources
For the most accurate and up-to-date information, always refer to the official government sources.
Verified against official sources · last reviewed 2026-08-21. Information only — not legal advice.