If you need a visa or not depends on your nationality, ID and duration of stay in Switzerland. Please use this links to find out whether you need a visa or not: 

 Overview of ID and visa provisions according to nationality

 ID and visa provisions – particularities regardless of nationality

Schengen/Dublin refers to the agreements signed following coordinated attempts by EU member states to enhance the personal freedoms of its citizens, while at the same time improving security within Europe’s borders to a significant degree. On Friday, December 12, 2008, the Swiss association agreement under Schengen entered into force.

Ever since this date, Schengen visas have been accepted for entry into Switzerland.

You can obtain further details on visa regulations through the information provided below, as well as in the documents listed on the right hand side of this page. In addition, the Regional Consular Center Nordic Countries in Stockholm can provide further information, as well as  Cantonal Migration Offices, and the Federal Office for Migration.

Anyone who wants to work in Switzerland during their stay or who wishes to stay in Switzerland for longer than three months will require a permit. This will be issued by the Cantonal Migration Offices. A distinction is made between a short-term residence permit (less than 1 year), a fixed-term residence permit and an open-ended residence permit.

• The various residence permits for citizens of EU/EFTA member states can be found via the following link:  Permits to stay for EU/EFTA citizens

As an EU citizen you can apply for your resident permit directly in Switzerland. Information regardind the application and documents to be presented can be found directly on the homepage of the Cantonal Migration Office of your canton of residence. Please find the respective homepage here:  Cantonal Migration Offices

Residents in the Nordic countries with valid resident permit (see the following information for each country) and national passports do not need a visa for short-term stays of up to 3 months as part of a six months' stay if they return to their country of residence in the Nordic countries after their stay in Switzerland. However, the registration with the competent  Cantonal Migration Office in Switzerland ist mandatory if you are working in Switzerland.

Special regulations apply for persons deployed by a company in the EU/EFTA. Please consult the homepage  www.entsendung.ch or check directly with the competent  Cantonal Migration Office in Switzerland.

Long-term stays (longer than three months) in Switzerland require an official permit and a national visa D (e.g. gainful employment, family reunification, erasmus programm, studies).

The following documents are generally required for long-term visa applications:

• 3 Application forms, duly filled in and signed (3 originals,  fill it in online here)
• 3 photographs
• 3 copies of the relevant pages of the passport (pages with photo, signature and validity)
• 3 copies of the resident permit
• 3 signed motivation letters (please also write about your future plans and what you intend to do when your studies or assignment in Switzerland are finished)
• 3 copies of the confirmation letter from the employer / school / university (in Switzerland)
• 3 copies of diplomas and university degrees
• 3 copies of proof of financial means (statement of bank accounts) 

In order to facilitate the application process, please arrange the documentation in three complete sets.

If you live in Stockholm and surroundings, you must present the application yourself and pay the visa fee of SEK 620.00 (including postage to Switzerland) in cash. Otherwise, please pay the visa fee of SEK 720.00 (including postage to Switzerland and passport return to you) into the following account of the Swiss Embassy in Stockholm. Please be aware that this fee will not be refunded in any case.

International payment
Bank: Nordea, 105 71 Stockholm
IBAN SE48 9500 0099 6042 0457 1527
BIC NDEASESS

Payment within Sweden:
Plusgiro 45 71 52-7

The amount must be transferred in Swedish Krona (SEK). You must choose the option “all fees paid by the sender” to avoid any additional fees for the consular center.

This Embassy will transmit the visa application to the competent authority in Switzerland. Please note that the process can take up to 8 weeks before the visa will be authorized (or refused). Once the visa is approved, you will have to submit the original passport to this Embassy. The visa will then be processed within 2 working days and the passport returned by registered mail.

Please do not hesitate to contact the Regional Consular Center Nordic Countries if you have any further questions. 

Visitors from outside of Schengen countries must apply for a Schengen or national long term visa in their country of residence before they enter the Schengen area. The Regional Consular Center Nordic Countries in Stockholm does not issue Schengen visa for tourists and visitors which are already in the Schengen area.

Third state members in possesion of both a valid passport as well as a valid Swedish residence permit or travel document as listed below are exempt from visa requirements for a maximum stay of 3 months within a 6 month period if they return to Sweden after the trip. However, if they work in Switzerland, the registration with the Cantonal Migration Office is required. 

• Permanent and temporary residence permit (blue/pink sticker in the passport called “uppehållstillstånd”)
• Permanent residence permit (card)
• Residence permit from the Swedish Foreign Ministry for diplomats, technical/administrative/service staff incl. their
  family members and private servants
• Aliens passport (Främlingspass) with a valid residence permit

Third state members in possesion of both a valid passport as well as a valid Danish residence permit or travel document as listed below are exempt from visa requirements for a maximum stay of 3 months within a 6 month period if they return to Denmark after the trip. However, if they work in Switzerland, the registration with the Cantonal Migrationf Office is required.

• Residence permit on an individual card (opholdskort or opholdstilladelse):
  A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, J, K and L
• Residence permit on a sticker in the passport (opholdstilladelse or arbejdstilladelse):
  B, C, D and H
• Stickers issued by the Royal Danish Ministry of Foreign Affairs (for Diplomats and their family members):
  E (Diplomatisk visering)
  F (Opholdstilladelse)
  S (in combination with sticker E or F)

Please note that the stickers are only valid as long as the assignment in Denmark lasts!
 
The alien’s passport (Fremmedpas), issued by the Danish authorities, is considered as a travel document.
A Fremmedpas in combination with a valid residence permit (see above) allows the holder to enter Switzerland without a visa for a maximum stay of 3 month (90 days) for tourism, business or visit purposes.

Third state members in possesion of both a valid passport as well as a valid Norwegian or Icelandic residence permit or travel document as listed below are exempt from visa requirements for a maximum stay of 3 months within a 6 month period if they return to Norway or Iceland after the trip. However, if they work in Switzerland, the registration with the Cantonal Migration Office is required. 

• Oppholdstillatelse (Norway)
• Arbeidstillatelse (Norway)
• Bosettingstillatelse (Norway)
• Dvalarleyfi (Iceland)

The Utlendingspass (blue) and the Reisebevis (green), issued by the Norwegian authorities, are considered as travel documents. In combination with a valid residence permit (see above), they entitle the holder to enter Switzerland without a visa for a maximum stay of 3 month (90 days) for tourism, business or visit purposes.

Third state members in possesion of both a valid passport as well as a valid Finnish residence permit or travel document as listed below are exempt from visa requirements for a maximum stay of 3 months within a 6 month period  if they return to Finland after the trip. However, if they work in Switzerland, the registration with the Cantonal Migration Office is required.

• Pysyvä oleskelulupa (Permanent residence permit) in the form of a sticker
• Oleskelulupa tai oleskelulupa ja työlupa (Temporary residence permit or temporary residence and work permit) in the form of a sticker clearly indicating the expiry date and bearing one of the following codes:
  A.1, A.2, A.3, A.4, A.5
  E.A.1, E.A.2, E.A.4, E.A.5 or
  B.1, B.2, B.3, B.4
  E.B.1, E.B.2, E.B.3, E.B.4, or
  D.1 and D.2
• Oleskelulupa uppehållstillstånd (Residence permit) in the form of a card issued to nationals of the Member States of the EU or the EEA and to members of their families 
• Henkilökortti A, B, C and D (Identity card) issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to diplomatic, administrative and technical staff, including members of their families
• Oleskelulupa diplomaattileimaus tai olekelulupa virkaleimaus (Residence permit) in the form of a sticker issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, bearing the indication "diplomatic" (diplomaattileimaus) or "service" (virkaleimaus)
• List of persons participating in a school trip within the European Union

When do I require a visa for entry into the United States?
Anyone who stays in the United States for more than 90 days requires a visa. Information on visas for the US can be found at the following website: 
 U.S. Department of State

What is the Visa Waiver Program (VWP)?
International travellers who want to travel to the US without a visa (as part of the Visa Waiver Program) have been subject to more rigorous security requirements since 12 January 2009, and must also pay an application fee. All eligible travellers who would like to enter the US as part of the Visa Waiver Program must submit an application for the issuance of a travel permit and pay a fee once the process is complete.

Who is required to fill out the ESTA form?
If you hold one of the following passports and do not intend to stay longer than 90 days in the United States (e.g. you are travelling on holiday, you can fill out the application online at the following website:
You can find the form, together with information on how to fill out the application, among the documentation listed on the right hand side of this page.

Important:
Register as early as possible before your trip to the United States, as it may take up to 72 hours (3 days) for the travel authorisation to come through. 

• Passport model "03": If your passport was issued prior to 2 October 2006, you can travel to the US without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Programdf
• Passport model "06": Holders of this passport can likewise travel to the US without a visa as part of the Visa Waiver Program.

 Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)
 Informationen zum Ausfüllen des Antrages
 Staaten mit Visa Waiver Programm
 Amerikanische Botschaft in der Schweiz

 Federal Office for Migration
 Cantonal naturalisation authorities 
 Swiss representations abroad