Appeal against refusal, annulment or revocation of visa

An appeal against a decision to refuse a visa must be lodged in writing (German, French, Italian) within 30 days of the decision being issued, stating the grounds for the appeal (Art. 6 Abs. 2bis of the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals and Integration; AIG, SR 142.20).

The requirements for entry into Switzerland vary depending on the purpose of stay (e.g. tourism, visit, gainful employment, family reunification or study) and depends on the nationality of the traveler. In principle, foreign nationals need a valid travel document recognized by Switzerland in order to enter Switzerland, in addition to the requirements to be fulfilled according to the Ordinance on Entry and the Issuance of Visas (VEV, SR 142.204). In addition, a visa is required in certain cases.

Switzerland is an associate member of the Schengen Agreement and therefore part of the Schengen area countries. The provisions of the Schengen Agreement therefore apply to entry and a stay of up to three months that does not require a visa. Foreigners may stay in Switzerland or in the Schengen countries for a maximum of 90 days within a period of 180 days. For persons requiring a visa, Switzerland issues Schengen visas for a stay of up to three months, which are generally valid for the entire Schengen area.

The Schengen member states include: Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, the Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.

Declaration of commitment

The Swiss representations abroad may stipulate that the issuance of a visa is dependent on the submission of a declaration of commitment if the applicant does not have sufficient financial means or if there are doubts about this. In this way, the guarantor undertakes to bear the uncovered costs (including accident, illness, return journey) which the state or private renderers of medical services might incur as a result of the foreign person’s stay, up to an amount of CHF 30,000.00.