Relocation of our consular services 

Since 1st May 2012, the consular services of this embassy have been transferred to the Regional Consular Centre in London: 

• Inscription / announcement of departure at the Swiss representation
• Applications for passports and identity cards
• Civil status affairs (birth, marriage, divorce, etc.)
• Change of address
• Naturalizations
• Visas, etc.

 Regional Consular Centre in London

The purpose of relocating the consular services to the regional consular centres is to ensure the high quality and efficiency of our service and that it is adapted to meet the needs of Swiss citizens living or on temporary stays abroad.

The reorganisation takes into account that nowadays most consular matters can be dealt with by post or e-mail. An increasing number of Swiss citizens communicate with the representations in this way. Only a few matters, such as recording biometric data for identity documents, require the applicant to be present in person. 

The relocation of consular services will be combined with the following services:

• Creation of a helpline that is operational 365 days a year, 24 hours a day as of 1 May 2012.
  Tel : +41 800 24 7 365
   The FDFA Helpline and its services
• Possibility to record biometric data for identity documents at each representation (embassy) including the regional consular centres (identity papers themselves have to be applied for at an representation, that offers consular services)
• In the context of events abroad bringing together a large number of the Swiss community, possibility to use mobile devices to record biometric data
• Co-operation with other member states of the Schengen area on visa matters