Switzerland Reciprocity Schedule


Visa Classification Fee Number of Applications Validity Period
A-1 None Multiple 60 Months
A-2 None Multiple 60 Months
A-3 [1] None Multiple 24 Months
B-1 None Multiple 120 Months
B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
B-1/B-2 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1 None Multiple 120 Months
C-1/D None Multiple 120 Months
C-2 None Multiple 12 Months
C-3 None Multiple 60 Months
D None Multiple 120 Months
E-1 [2] None Multiple 48 Months
E-2 [2] None Multiple 48 Months
F-1 None Multiple 60 Months
F-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-1 None Multiple 60 Months
G-2 None Multiple 60 Months
G-3 None Multiple 60 Months
G-4 None Multiple 60 Months
G-5 [1] None Multiple 24 Months
H-1B None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-1C None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-2A None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-2B None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-2R None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-3 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
H-4 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
I None Multiple 60 Months
J-1 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
J-2 [4] None Multiple 60 Months
K-1 None One 6 Months
K-2 None One 6 Months
K-3 None Multiple 24 Months
K-4 None Multiple 24 Months
L-1 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
L-2 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
M-1 None Multiple 60 Months
M-2 None Multiple 60 Months
N-8 None Multiple 36 Months
N-9 None Multiple 36 Months
NATO 1-7 N/A N/A N/A
O-1 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
O-2 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
O-3 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
P-1 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
P-2 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
P-3 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
P-4 None Multiple 48 Months [3]
Q-1 [6] None Multiple 15 Months [3]
R-1 None Multiple 36 Months
R-2 None Multiple 36 Months
S-5 [7] None One 1 Month
S-6 [7] None One 1 Month
S-7 [7] None One 1 Month
T-1 [9] N/A N/A N/A
T-2 None One 6 Months
T-3 None One 6 Months
T-4 None One 6 Months
T-5 None One 6 Months
TD [5] N/A N/A N/A
U-1 None One 1 Month
U-2 None One 1 Month
U-3 None One 1 Month
U-4 None One 1 Month
U-5 None One 1 Month
V-1 None Multiple 120 Months
V-2 None Multiple 120 Months [8]
V-3 None Multiple 120 Months [8]

Documents

Birth Certificates

Available. Birth certificates available to persons born in Switzerland are known and issued by local cantonal officials as listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Geburtsschein; Zivilstandsbeamter.
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Acte de naissance; Officier de l'Etat Civil.
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Atto di nascita; Ufficiale dello Stato Civile.

Records are complete since 1876. Prior to 1876, records were kept by church authorities and are available for all living persons.

Marriage Certificates

Available. Marriage certificates available to persons married in Switzerland are issued by the same officials as birth certificates, and known as listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Eheschein.
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Acte de mariage.
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Atto di matrimonio.

Divorce Certificates

Available. Divorce certificates are available to persons divorced in Switzerland, and issued by the Courthouse where the divorce took place. Divorce certificates are issued under the names listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Scheidungsurteil.
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Acte de divorce.
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Atto di divorzio.

Death Certificates

Available. See birth certificates. Death certificates are issued under the names listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Todesschein.
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Acte de deces.
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Atto di morte.

Note: The "Family Book or Family Certificate" (Familienbuechlein/Livret de famille/Libretto di famiglia or Familienschein/Acte de famille/Atto di famiglia) are also available, but only accepted as secondary evidence of birth, marriage and divorce, since formal certificates are readily obtainable.

Police and Prison Records

Available. There is, upon demand, an extract from the Swiss central police records, known as "Auszug aus dem Schweizerischen Zentralstrafregister/Extrait du casier judiciaire/Estratto del Casellario Giudiziario," which shows whether any person, of Swiss or other nationality, has been convicted of a crime in Switzerland. The document is issued by the Schweizerisches Zentralpolizeibuero/Bureau Central Suisse de police/Ufficio Centrale Svizzero di Polizia at 3003 Bern (Bundesrain 20). The fee for this service is 20 Swiss Francs for each copy.

Information is also available on the following website: www.ofj.admin.ch.

Court Records

Available. Issued upon request by the Clerk of the Court where the conviction occurred. Court records are issued under the names listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Gerichtsurteil.
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Jugement du Tribunal.
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Sentenza del Tribunale.

Military Records

Available. Every male Swiss citizen from his 20th until his 50th year is liable for military service, or, in case of physical inability, to a military exemption tax. Military records are issued under the names and by the officials listed below:

  1. German speaking Switzerland: Militaeramtliche Bescheinigung;Eidgenoessisches Departement fuer Verteidigung, Bevoelkerungsschutz, und Sport, Fuehrungsstab der Armee, Personelles der Armee (J1), Wehrpflicht, Rodtmattstrasse 110, CH-3003 Bern (tel: +41 31 322 5171, email hanspeter.althaus@vtg.admin.ch).
  2. French speaking Switzerland: Certificat Militaire; Departement federal de la defense, de la protection de la population et des sports, Etat-major de conduite de l’armee (J1), Obligations militaries, Rodtmattstrasse 110, CH-3003 Bern (tel +41 31 322 5171, email hanspeter.althaus@vtg.admin.ch).
  3. Italian speaking Switzerland: Certificato di Posizione Militare; Dipartimento federale della difesa, della protezione della populazione e dello sport, Stato maggiore di condotta dell’esercito, Personale dell’esercito (J1), Obblighi militari, Rodtmattstrasse 110, CH-3003 Bern (tel +41 31 322 5171, email hanspeter.althaus@vtg.admin.ch).

Records are complete since 1876. They commence for citizens at the age of 20 and are available for every male citizen who has reached that age. Military records do not reflect the individual's conduct during active service; however, sentences passed during military service are recorded in the central police register.

Passport and Other Travel Documents

A blue Travel Document/Titre de voyage is issued to refugees in accordance with the International Treaty on Refugees of July 28, 1951. This document is normally valid for three years, and entitles the bearer to return to Switzerland.

A blue Passport for Foreigners/Passeport pour Etrangers is issued to undocumented aliens who have a residence permit for Switzerland. This document is normally issued for three years and guarantees the bearer readmittance to Switzerland as long as it is valid.

A gray Identity Certificate for aliens without documents /Certificat d’identité pour étrangers sans papiers is issued to undocumented aliens who are not refugees, and who do not have a residence permit for Switzerland. It is valid for one year and the bearer must obtain a visa for Switzerland in order to return.

All three travel documents contain the following: "This document is issued solely with a view to providing the holder with a travel document which can serve in lieu of a national passport. It is without prejudice to and in no way affects the holder's nationality."

Information on Swiss travel documents can be found at: http://www.schweizerpass.admin.ch/pass/de/home/ausweise/allgemeines.html

Special Clearance and Issuance Procedures

None.

Visa Issuing Post

Bern, Switzerland (Embassy)

Sulgeneckstrasse 19
CH-3007 Bern, Switzerland

Tel: (41) (31) 357-7280
(41) (31) 357-7777 - 24-hour emergencies only

Fax: (41) (31) 357-7280

E-mail: bernacs@state.gov

Visa Services

All categories for all of Switzerland. Note: The Geneva and Zurich Consular Agencies handle ONLY limited ACS matters; they do not handle visas.