Entry requirements
General information about entry requirements
As entry requirements can vary from country to country, it is imperative that you check the entry requirements applicable for your destination country well ahead of time. The relevant information is available from your travel agent or the embassy of your destination country. If you do require an entry permit, we strongly recommend that you apply for the permit exclusively via the official website. The links listed under the country-specific entry requirements will take you directly to the official website. Once you have your visa, make sure to check it is valid for the entire duration of your stay.
Children and travel
If a child will be travelling alone (“unaccompanied minor”) or, as the case may be, with only one parent, travel permission of the parents or, as the case may be, of the parent who will not be accompanying the child is often required. Under the following link you will find further information:
Country-specific entry requirements
Below you will find the current country-specific entry regulations for people who are resident in Switzerland and/or have Swiss citizenship.
This list contains special provisions. For the countries not listed, no specific entry regulations currently apply.
Further below you will find additional information on general entry issues.
Visa-free entry to Canada
Provided you meet the four conditions listed below, you can travel to and in Canada without a visa.
- You are a citizen of a country with visa-free entry to Canada.
- You hold a valid passport.
- You have an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).*
- You provided the required “Advance Passenger Information” (API) during check-in or when booking your flight.**
* Electronic Travel Authorization; please make sure you apply for an eTA at the latest 72 hours before your departure.
** Airlines are obliged to transfer the “Advance Passenger Information” (API) to the Canadian authorities immediately following departure. The required API consists of the following personal passenger data: surname, first name, biometric data, date of birth, nationality, passport number and gender.
Please note that Canadian authorities still recommend registering via ArriveCAN prior to arrival to expedite procedures upon arrival.
You require a visa?
Please contact your country’s Canadian embassy to apply for an adequate visa.
Travelling to Canada with children
The Canadian border services officers are on alert for missing children. Therefore, if you are travelling to Canada with a minor, you may be asked detailed questions about the minor. Please make sure you have all the required documents in English or French with you.
Information as to which documents children under the age of 18 entering Canada need to have and travel with is available at the following link:
Important links to further information
Please note the current entry requirements for Cabo Verde:
The following online form must be completed five days before entry.
Please note the current entry requirements for Colombia:
The following online form must be completed for entry and exit.
Cuban Tourist card
All non-Cuban citizens – whether adult, child or infant – need a tourist card if they are spending less than 30 days in Cuba. You can extend this tourist card yourself in Cuba for a fee; the extension is usually confirmed with your hotel booking. The Cuban authorities check the tourist card when you enter Cuba.
In order to obtain the tourist card, your passport must be valid for at least six months after your return date. The card is obtainable against presentation of your passport and payment of a fee of CHF 50.–, for instance at the gate at Zurich airport just before departure. Travel agents and the Cuban embassy also sell these cards.
Visa for Cuba
Would you like to spend more than 60 days in Cuba or are you visiting the Caribbean island for non-tourist reasons? Then you will need a visa.
Insurance is obligatory
If you do not live in Cuba and are entering the country as a tourist, you must provide evidence of health or travel insurance, which the Cuban authorities recognize. This confirms that any medical attention you may require while you are visiting Cuba will be covered. Insurance policies, insurance cards or travel insurance receipts are satisfactory as confirmation.
Be sure to establish in advance that your insurance company will meet the costs in Cuba. If you do not have this confirmation, you must arrange for it through the Cuban state assistance company "Asistur".
Digital entry form
From January 23, 2023, all passengers must fill out the digital form D'Viajeros up to 48 hours before their departure and present the QR code upon arrival. The QR code is generated at the end of the process and can be printed or carried on a mobile device.
Cash in Cuba
As there are restrictions on the import and export of the national currency CUP (Peso Cubano), CUP can only be withdrawn within the country. Certain payments or cash withdrawals with travellers' cheques, bank and credit cards are only possible to a limited extent or not at all. It is therefore advisable to carry sufficient cash in euros, Canadian dollars or other currencies accepted by the Cuban Central Bank. USD are not accepted. Also check with your bank or credit card company well in advance.
Important links to further information
Please note the current entry requirements for the Dominican Republic:
All travellers must complete the following online form before departure.
Online form Dominican Republic
We advise you to confirm the information with the official Ministry of Tourism website.
Please note the current entry regulations for Egypt:
Travellers with Swiss nationality must present their passport (no ID) upon entry.
Biarritz
Please note the current entry regulations for Biarritz:
For entry into Biarritz, it is mandatory for all travellers to show their ID or passport.
Please note the current entry requirements for Jamaica:
The following online form must be completed before departure.
Please note the current entry regulations for Jordan:
Travellers with Swiss nationality must present their passport (no ID) upon entry.
Please note the current entry requirements for the Maldives:
All travellers must fill out the online form below within 96 hours prior to arrival in the Maldives.
We advise you to confirm the information with official government websites.
Please note the current entry requirements for Mauritius:
The "Mauritius All-in-one Travel Form" must be filled out online (see link below). The form can be filled either before departure or at the latest after arrival (before customs). At the end of the process, please print out the PDF document, sign it properly and carry it with you during your flight.
Mauritius All-in-one Travel Form
We recommend that you additionally check the information on the official government website.
Please note the current entry regulations for Morocco:
Travellers with Swiss nationality must present their passport (no ID) upon entry.
All travellers (exception: persons with a Seychelles passport) must apply for the electronic travel authorisation (eTA) via the link below before departure.
Please note the current entry requirements for Cape Town:
The following online form must be completed for entry. It can also be filled in on arrival.
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA) is required for short visits to Sri Lanka of up to 30 days. Make sure you obtain ETA electronically beforehand. On presentation of your ETA when entering Sri Lanka, you will be granted a Short Stay visa valid for 30 days. If the credit card payment should fail during the process, the ETA can still be applied for by Swiss tourists upon arrival.
For additional information on ETA, and to access the application form, see the link below:
Electronic Travel Authority (ETA)
Visa
Do you intend to spend more than 30 days in Sri Lanka for non-tourist purposes? Then please contact the consulate in Geneva to apply for a visa.
Contact the consulate in Geneva
Important links for further information
Most travellers need to have a visa to enter Tanzania. Travellers can apply for a eVisa before departing. Furthermore a visa can be issued on arrival. However this only applies for selected nationals.
Zanzibar
When entering Zanzibar, all travellers must take out local travel insurance from 1st October 2024.
Please note the current entry regulations for Tunisia:
Travellers with Swiss nationality must present their passport (no ID) upon entry.
Please note the current entry regulations for the United Kingdom:
Travellers with Swiss nationality must present their passport (no ID) upon entry.
Visa-free entry
Provided you comply with all of the criteria listed below, you can enter the United States without a visa.
- You are a citizen of a country covered by the Visa Waiver Program.
- You hold a passport that adheres to the criteria required by the USA.
- You have an Electronic System Travel Authorization (ESTA).
- You provided the required API details during check-in or when booking your flight.*
*Airlines are obliged to transfer the Advance Passenger Information (API) to the US authorities immediately following departure of the respective flight. The required API consists of the following personal passenger data: surname, name, biometric data, date of birth, nationality, passport number and gender.
Which passport do I need for the United States?
Please check first to see whether your passport meets the requirements of the US authorities and is valid for a sufficient length of time. You will need a biometric passport to travel to the United States.
Visa-Waiver-Program (VWP)
38 countries –including Switzerland- are currently included in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). Citizens from these countries are eligible for visa-free entry to the United States for stays of up to maximum ninety (90) days.
Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
ESTA travel authorisation is a requirement for entry without a visa. Please make sure you apply for it at the latest 72 hours before departure.
ESTA travel authorisations that have already been issued will become invalid if you were in Iraq, Iran, Syria or Sudan on or after 1st March 2011, or if you are a citizen of one of the aforementioned countries.
ESTA form (open with Internet Explorer)
Visum für die USA beantragen
Please get in touch with the US embassy in your country to apply for a US visa. Important links regarding visa:
U.S.Embassy in Switzerland and Liechtenstein
Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check
Edelweiss is part of the TSA Pre-Check programme. For TSA Pre-Check registered passengers, this means easier departures from more than 200 US airports. Additionally, as a member of this programme, you benefit from expedited security screening with shorter queues and without having to remove shoes, light jackets, belts, liquids and laptops. No separate approval is needed for children under the age of 12 if they are travelling with a parent or guardian who has TSA Pre-Check.
After being registered, you will receive a “known traveler number” (KTN) which you will need to provide at every check-in. If you are member of the Global Entry programme, you will automatically be registered for TSA PreCheck.
Restricted entry to the United States
The Executive Order restricting the entry of foreign nationals into the United States from six countries (Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, and Yemen) has been in effect since 16th March 2017. If you are a citizen of one of these six countries, you may enter the United States provided you meet the following conditions:
- If you are in possession of a valid US visa that is not physically marked as revoked or cancelled
- If you have dual citizenship and are entering the United States with a passport for which no restrictions apply
- If you are a holder of a valid US permanent residence card (Green Card)
Please note that individual citizens from these six countries might not be accepted on board US bound flights. The passengers concerned are requested to contact the nearest US consulate or embassy for further information and advice.
Fact sheet "Protecting the Nation From Foreign Terrorist Entry To The United States"
Things to know about the topic of entry
Below you will find information on the topic of entry.
Free movement of persons within the Schengen Area
The Schengen Agreement supports the free movement of persons within the EU member states. This means that regular border controls have been eliminated. Having said that, pursuant to applicable law, travellers (including children and infants) must have identification and carry the accordant travel documents (ID card, passport, emergency passport) with them at all times.
Driving licences, bank and credit cards or similar documents are not recognised as valid travel documents, nor will such be accepted as a means to prove one’s identity.
The Schengen Area encompasses the following member states:
| Member states (A-G) | Member states (H-N) | Member states (N-S) |
|---|---|---|
| Austria | Hungary | Norway |
| Belgium | Iceland | Poland |
| Czech Republic | Italy | Portugal |
| Denmark | Latvia | Slovakia |
| Estonia | Liechtenstein | Slovenia |
| Finland | Lithuania | Spain |
| France | Luxemburg | Sweden |
| Germany | Malta | Switzerland |
| Greece | Netherlands |
Under the following link you will find information on how to apply for a new Swiss passport/ID: Fedpol
Under the following link you will find information on the travel advice of the FDFA: FDFA
Under the following link you will find information on foreign representations in Switzerland: Foreign representations
Under the following link you will find the IATA travel advice: IATA
Under the following link you will find information from the Federal Customs Administration: EZV
Please note:
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