GoSwitzerland Visa Requirements

Visa Entry

Chinese mainland residents need to apply for a visa to travel to Switzerland. Swiss visas are divided into Schengen visas and Swiss domestic visas.

Switzerland currently has no entry restrictions related to COVID-19. Starting from May 2, 2022, general rules have been applied to entry into Switzerland. Individuals coming to Switzerland can visit the website of the Swiss Federal Secretariat for Immigration https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/themen/einreise/faq.html Find more information.

Switzerland joined the Schengen Agreement on December 12, 2008. With a Schengen visa, one can enter Switzerland directly or through other Schengen countries. The maximum duration of stay is generally not more than three months. Short term Schengen visa holders can stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 consecutive days within any consecutive 180 day period. If they wish to stay longer, they must apply for a long-term visa.

Swiss domestic visas are issued to individuals who intend to stay in Switzerland for more than 90 days or have special requirements.

Switzerland has an embassy in Beijing and consulates general in Shanghai, Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Chengdu. At present, the Swiss Embassy in China is cooperating with VFS GLOBAL Swiss Visa Center, and has opened 15 visa agency centers in Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Wuhan, Shenyang, Xi'an, Hangzhou, Nanjing, Shenzhen, Kunming, Changsha, Jinan, Chongqing, and Fuzhou. Applicants need to make an appointment and submit their visa application through the visa agency centers. It is recommended that visa applicants start preparing for visa related matters six months in advance.

At present, not all visa centers are operating normally, so applicants need to first check on the official website of the visa agency center which ones can make appointments to apply for visas: https://visa.vfsglobal.com/chn/zh/che/

If you have more questions about visas, you can contact the Swiss Embassy in China by email to inquire: beijing.visa@eda.admin.ch

For more information, please visit the website of the Secretariat of the Swiss National Immigration Office: https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home.html

Special reminder: Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, and the Schengen Agreement only applies to personnel exchanges. Goods entering or passing through Switzerland still need to be inspected at the border.

Chinese citizens who come to Switzerland in the short term and have their visas expired due to accidents, illnesses, or other reasons must apply for a visa extension from the local immigration office. Please pay attention to your visa stay and validity period to avoid visa expiration due to negligence, otherwise you may be fined or detained by Swiss customs police when leaving the country.

Customs epidemic prevention and control

Carrying cash of over 10000 Swiss francs into the country will result in customs inquiries.

The items that can be carried into the country include:

Used personal belongings.

Food and non-alcoholic beverages required during the trip.

Smoking and alcohol: Each person is limited to carrying 200 cigarettes, 50 cigars, or 200 grams of controlled tobacco. 2 liters of alcohol with an alcohol content not exceeding 15% and 1 liter of alcohol with an alcohol content above 15% (note: passengers under the age of 17 are not allowed to carry cigarettes or alcohol).

Other personal belongings: with a total value not exceeding 300 Swiss francs.

Since July 1, 2007, Switzerland has prohibited non EU travelers from bringing animal products such as meat, eggs, fish, honey, dairy products, etc. into the country. This regulation is jointly formulated by EU countries. According to regulations, each passenger is only allowed to bring one day's worth of children's food or medicine into the country. If customs discovers prohibited items, they will be confiscated. Passengers who violate regulations may be fined.

No immunization certificate is required to enter Switzerland.

Switzerland has no endemic infectious diseases.

For detailed information, please refer to the Swiss Customs website:

https://www.bazg.admin.ch/bazg/de/home.html

For information and precautions about the COVID-19 epidemic, see the website of the Federal Health Administration: http://www.bag.admin.ch/

Residency and Naturalization

Chinese citizens who come to Switzerland for tourism and stay for no more than 90 days do not need to apply for residency. If the stay exceeds 90 days or if you come to Switzerland for work (note: regardless of the length of time), you must apply for residency.

The Swiss state immigration offices are responsible for the issuance, extension and cancellation of aliens' residence certificates. Please consult the immigration bureau of your state for specific matters.

The process of obtaining Swiss citizenship is divided into three categories: normal naturalization, simplified naturalization, and re naturalization. The normal naturalization process requires residing in Switzerland for a certain period of time, mastering the local language, integrating into Swiss society, respecting Swiss regulations, and not posing a threat to Switzerland's internal and external security. The simplified naturalization process is mainly aimed at foreign spouses of Swiss citizens or children whose parents are Swiss citizens. The naturalization process is mainly aimed at individuals who have lost their Swiss citizenship due to unforeseen circumstances. From January 1, 2018, the new Swiss Nationality Law came into force, which generally raised the requirements for the approval of foreigners' naturalization applications. Applicants must hold a Swiss permanent residence permit (Class C residence permit) in order to apply for Swiss citizenship. The C certificate is a permanent residence permit that can only be obtained by EU citizens who have resided in Switzerland for 5 years or citizens of other countries who have resided in Switzerland for 10 years, and needs to be extended every 5 years. The applicant must have resided in the state where the citizenship is obtained for at least 2 to 5 years. Minors can apply for simplified citizenship procedures, and the length of residence in Switzerland for minors aged 8-18 can be doubled.

In 2010, the Swiss federal government passed a law to combat the use of fake marriages to obtain Swiss citizenship. This law also applies to registered cohabitants.

For detailed information, please refer to the website of the Swiss Federal Office for Migration:

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home.html

Switzerland's risk level is blue (low risk)

public security

The overall social security in Switzerland is good. After joining the Schengen Agreement, there has been an increase in the number of fugitives and criminals, and the crime rate has risen rapidly in recent years. Cases such as theft, public robbery, knife violence, and vehicle theft and smashing have all occurred. Tourist attractions, parking lots, train stations, airports, hotels, and restaurants in cities such as Geneva, Zurich, Lausanne, Interlaken, Lucerne, Montreux, Vevey, and Bern are high-risk areas for crime, usually involving multiple people working together to commit the crime.

Special Reminder:

Chinese tourists are accustomed to carrying cash and leaving valuable items such as watches and computers unattended in their cars when taking photos, making them easy targets for theft gangs. Please be vigilant at all times. Please pay attention to any suspicious individuals when traveling or shopping. Be vigilant when approaching strangers or knocking on car windows. When helping others, one should also ensure the safety of their own luggage and belongings first. Passports and visas should be backed up with photocopies. Keep passports and valuable items such as cash separately and store them as close as possible. Do not place your carry on luggage on the overhead luggage rack when taking the train. When traveling by self driving, if there is any luggage in the vehicle, someone must be left to take care of it. In case of theft or robbery, please report to the police in a timely manner. The Swiss emergency hotline is 117. You can directly dial 0041-117 from your domestic mobile phone.

natural disaster

Switzerland is a world-renowned ski resort and also a place with frequent avalanches. After entering winter, the alarm system issues avalanche warnings to the public twice a day. Avalanche information consultation hotline: 187.

Sports Tips:

Most ski resorts in Switzerland are equipped with protective nets and ski slope monitoring systems. Chinese tourists are required to wear protective gear (which can be rented locally) when skiing, and choose suitable activities according to their physical condition and level of exercise, and do according to their abilities.

When skiing or hiking in the Swiss mountains, please stay within the area marked with safety signs and pay attention to your foot safety. Do not deviate from the normal path without authorization due to seeking excitement or "challenging the limits". Do not be careless, try to show off or take chances. Individuals with cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, as well as the elderly, should consult a doctor before climbing.

FDA

Swiss food and drinking water quality and safety.

Do not drink from faucets or springs with the words "Kein Trinkwasser" or "Eau non potable".

Urgent Help

Emergency rescue service hotline:

Medical emergency: 144

Report to (bandit) police: 117

Fire alarm: 118

Air and snow mountain rescue outside of Valais: 1414

Valais Air and Snow Mountain Rescue: 1415

Emergency road rescue: 140

Poisoning incident rescue: 145

Swiss Vehicle Rescue Company (TCS): 0800 140 140

Road traffic information: 163

Weather forecast: 162

Avalanche information: 187

24-hour insurance hotline of the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland: 0041-313501258

24-hour consular hotline of the Chinese Consulate General in Zurich and Liechtenstein: 0041-442091503

(Note: Within Switzerland, Chinese mobile phones can directly dial the Swiss emergency number.)

air traffic

Flight information often changes or is cancelled. Please check and confirm flight information before traveling to ensure smooth and safe travel.

Starting from February 2023, Air China has resumed direct flights between Beijing and Geneva. Please refer to the official website of Air China for flight information www.airchina.com.cn

Ruihang will resume direct flights between Shanghai and Zurich from March 2023. For flight information, please refer to Ruihang's official website: www.swiss.com

Ruihang and Cathay Pacific have opened direct flights between Hong Kong and Zurich. Please refer to Ruihang's official website for flight information http://www.swiss.com/ On the official website of Cathay Pacific Airways: https://www.cathaypacific.com/cx/sc_CN.html

Zurich Airport is approximately 11 kilometers away from the city center. Geneva Airport is approximately 8 kilometers away from the city center. It is very convenient to take the train back and forth between the airport and the city center. Passengers can also take buses or taxis to the city center.

Airports in other Swiss cities such as Bern, Basel, and Lugano have flights to and from other European countries.

land transport

The Swiss railway system is well-developed. The Federal Railway Bureau (SBB in German, CFF in French, and FFS in Italian) is a state-owned company with a dense and well connected train schedule, providing timely and comfortable services. Tourists can check the train number and arrange their itinerary through the website (www.sbb. ch) or download the app. Free entry and exit at the station, no one checks tickets when boarding, but train attendants check tickets while the train is in motion. If you bring pets such as dogs or bicycles while riding, you need to purchase additional tickets. Swiss trains are divided into first-class and second-class carriages, please pay attention to distinguishing when boarding. For detailed information, please refer to: www.sbb.ch。

The road conditions in Switzerland are good, and most towns can be reached by car. But Switzerland has many mountain roads, steep slopes, and slippery roads on snowy days. Some sections of the road are closed in winter, and winter tires need to be replaced when driving in winter.

When traveling by car in Switzerland, it is important to drive on the right side; All drivers and passengers must fasten their seat belts; Children under 12 years old must sit in the back seat, and children under 7 years old must use child specific seats; The speed limit is 120 kilometers per hour on highways, 80 kilometers per hour on national highways, and 50 kilometers per hour in residential or urban areas; Some road sections have speed limits of 40 kilometers per hour, 30 kilometers per hour, or 20 kilometers per hour; Even during the day, turn on the daytime running lights while driving. Please refer to the Swiss traffic regulations for details and drive according to local road conditions and signs.

If the stay in Switzerland does not exceed one year, you can drive within Switzerland with a Chinese driver's license (which needs to be notarized in advance with the original and translated documents). If the stay period exceeds one year, the Swiss driver's license should be replaced. The driver should be at least 18 years old. Chinese tourists who wish to rent a car for self driving tours in Switzerland also need to have their driver's license translated and notarized in advance in China. The translation and notarization of Chinese driver's licenses can only be processed domestically, and the Chinese Embassy in Switzerland does not have the authority to handle them

There are no toll stations on Swiss highways. Using highways incurs taxes. The tax invoice "Vignette" can be purchased at post offices, gas stations, and other places, and posted on the front window of the car. Driving on the highway without buying a tax invoice will result in a fine.

water communication

Switzerland has numerous lakes. You can take small and medium-sized passenger ships or ferry boats to travel to lakeside towns or visit the lake for sightseeing.

Boarding a border area ship can lead to France and Germany.

Urban transportation

Public buses, trolleybus, and trams are the main modes of transportation in the urban area. Except for Lausanne, there is no subway in other cities.

In Switzerland, it is generally not allowed to stop a taxi on the street. It is easy to find taxis at taxi stands, train stations, airports, hotel entrances, and other places, and appointments can also be made by phone. Taxi prices are relatively expensive. In some places, an additional 15% tip will be charged in addition to the fare.

major city

Bern is the capital of Switzerland, the capital of the Canton of Bern, the political and cultural center of Switzerland, and the fourth largest city. Bern is located in central western Switzerland, with an altitude of 550 meters and an area of 51.62 square kilometers. The Ale River divides the city into two halves, with the old city on the west bank and the new city on the east bank. The residents mainly speak German. The embassies of various countries in Switzerland, the Universal Postal Union, the International Railway Transport Authority and other institutions are located in the city.

Zurich is the largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the Canton of Zurich, covering an area of 91.88 square kilometers. Located at the northwest end of Lake Zurich, on both sides of the Limmat River. In the Middle Ages, it was a commercial and guild center, established as a city-state in 1218, and joined the Swiss Confederation in 1351. Zurich is the economic center, transportation hub, important international financial center, and gold market of Switzerland. The famous University of Zurich and Swiss Federal Institute of Technology are also located in Zurich.

Geneva is the second largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the Canton of Geneva, covering an area of 15.93 square kilometers. More than 20 international organizations, including the United Nations Office at Geneva, over 170 non-governmental organizations, and over 150 United Nations agencies are located in Geneva. More than 40% of the population are foreign residents, also known as "UN City". Geneva is also the world clock capital.

Basel (BASEL) is the third largest city in Switzerland and the capital of the canton of Basel, covering an area of 22.75 square kilometers. Basel is a developed region for the Swiss chemical and pharmaceutical industries, with the headquarters of Switzerland's largest pharmaceutical companies such as Novartis and Hoffmann La Roche located in Basel.

Commodity prices

Switzerland has abundant goods and expensive prices.

The circulating currency is Swiss Franc (abbreviation: CHF）， 1 Swiss franc equals 100 sheng ding.

1 Swiss franc=8.11 yuan (RMB)=1.13 US dollars (July 2024).

In Switzerland, you can freely exchange dollars and euros, use VISA, Master, Diners, American Express and other bank cards, and some stores accept China UnionPay, Alipay and WeChat payment. UBS is the largest bank in Switzerland.

Insurance Medical

The Swiss healthcare system is well-established, and the quality of medical services is world-class. Hospitals and family doctors implement an outpatient appointment system. Major hospitals in major cities have emergency departments and sufficient supply of drugs. There are emergency clinics and doctors near train stations in major cities, and large pharmacies also have pharmacy doctors. Medical expenses in Switzerland are expensive, so it is recommended that tourists purchase insurance before traveling to Switzerland to prepare for emergencies.

Common diseases:

Switzerland has a lot of rainfall in summer, please bring rain gear and keep warm.

Switzerland is located in a high-altitude area, and if there is insufficient sun protection, it is prone to sunburn.

Climbing high mountains above 3000 meters above sea level may result in high-altitude hypoxia, such as headaches, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Rest immediately and move to a relatively lower altitude area. If it still cannot be relieved, seek medical attention as soon as possible.

Customs taboos

38.6% of Swiss residents are Catholic, 28.0% are Protestant, 11.3% are of other religions, and 20.1% are non believers (data)

The main public holidays in Switzerland include: New Year's Day (January 1), Berchtold's Day (January 2), Good Friday, Easter (the first Sunday encountered after seeing the full moon on March 21 or the first full moon after the vernal equinox), Ascension (the 40th day from Easter), Pentecost (the 50th day after Easter each year), National Day (August 1), and Christmas (December 25th and 26th).

Swiss people have a strong sense of time. When dating Swiss people, it is important to arrive on time. Being early or late is considered impolite. It is customary to shake hands when meeting for the first time. Disgusted from loud noise and littering in public places. Drying clothes in public places (including balconies facing the street in self occupied apartments) may result in fines.

Communications Power

The voltage in Switzerland is 220V AC, 50Hz.

The plug is a flat triangle type, divided into two hole and three hole types. The 2-pole plug has a concealed type and a flat type. Please confirm as' Ruishi Standard 'when purchasing. German standard, European standard, and commonly used Chinese standard sockets cannot be used in Switzerland. Most Swiss hotels offer the service of borrowing adapter plugs.

The mobile phone standard is WCDMA. SIM cards sold locally can be directly used by inserting them into most Chinese smartphones. Swisscom, Sunrise, and Orange are three major communication companies.

Switzerland has a high level of internet penetration. Airports, hotels, inns, and other places all have Wi Fi services.

contact information

Swiss Federal Police:

https://polizei.ch/

Swiss Federal Office for Migration:

https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/de/home.html

Swiss Federal Railways (train information):

https://www.sbb.ch/de

Zurich Airport (flight information):

https://www.flughafen-zuerich.ch/de/passagiere

Geneva Airport (flight information): http://www.gva.ch/en

General information inquiry (such as doctors, theaters, etc.): 1811

Medical emergency: 144

Report to (bandit) police: 117

Weather forecast: 162

Avalanche information: 187

Emergency road rescue: 140

Swiss Vehicle Rescue Company (TCS): 0800140140

Road traffic information: 163

Chinese Embassy in Switzerland:

http://ch.china-embassy.gov.cn/

Chinese Consulate General in Zurich and Liechtenstein:

http://zurich.china-consulate.gov.cn/