Visa – Entry to and residence in Switzerland

Appointments for Schengen Visas (Short-Term)

The Embassy does not accept any walk-ins. An appointment has to be booked prior to your visit at the Embassy.

For Schengen visa, such as tourism, family/friends visit, business and conferences or official visit, check on our webpage if you are eligible to apply for a Schengen visa and on how to book an appointment and check our availability.

 

New regulation for Schengen Visas (Short-Term) for Ethiopian citizens from 01.06.2024

Schengen member states have enacted the provisions of Article 25 a) of the Visa Code, waiving certain privileges that were until now granted to Ethiopian visa applicants. Switzerland as a Schengen associate state is subject to the same adopted provisions. This include:

a) The full set of supporting documents proving fulfilment of the entry conditions as set out in the Schengen Borders Code will have to be submitted at every application by all applicants.

b) The standard visa fee will apply to all applicants.

c ) The standard processing time of 15 days will now be 45 days.

d) In principle, only single-entry visas will be issued.

Appointments for National Visas (Long-Term)

The Embassy does not accept any walk-ins. An appointment has to be booked prior to your visit at the Embassy.

Family Reunification

For an appointment for family reunification send copies in one email of the following documents to addisababa.visa@eda.admin.ch 

  • Resident permit from Switzerland and/or Swiss passport, from the person living in Switzerland
  • Phone number and email address, from the person(s) living in Ethiopia
  • Copy of valid passport and/or emergency travel document issued by the Ethiopian Authorities, from the person(s) living in Ethiopia
  • Certificate of Residence (valid ID-card)
  • Marriage certificate**
  • Birth certificate**

** The original Ethiopian civil status and court documents must be issued by the Vital Events Registrations Agency (VERA) and legalised by the Ethiopian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

All documents only written in Amharic, Oromia or Tigrinya need to be translated into German, French, Italian or English by one of the Embassy’s officially recognized translation offices.

Entry Authorization Granted

If you have been authorised for an entry visa to Switzerland and would like to collect it, please send an email to addisababa.visa@eda.admin.ch:

  • Copy of your valid passport or Emergency Travel Document (ETD)
  • Copy of the authorization issued by the Swiss authorities

Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days within a 180-day period: for example, in a context of tourism, a visit to relatives or friends, short-term language studies, participating in a conference or in sporting/cultural events, etc.

National visa for a stay of more than 90 days

For persons wishing to enter Switzerland for a stay of more than 90 days within a 180-day period. It is subject to the authorisation of the cantonal migration authority competent for the intended place of residence. For example: long-term student, family reunification, marriage in Switzerland, etc.

Various regulations apply for entering Switzerland. A basic distinction is made between citizens of the European Union (EU) and European Free Trade Association (EFTA) countries and those of other countries. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is the responsible authority in Switzerland.

SEM

Since Switzerland’s adherence to the Schengen and Dublin agreements came into force (12 December 2008), Swiss representations abroad are able to issue certain categories of visa, depending on the length of stay and purpose of the journey in Switzerland. Please select one of the following options.

Airport transit visa

For citizens of certain countries who need a transit visa even if they are staying in the international transit area of the airport and do not enter the Schengen territory.

Labour / Work permits

Admission of foreign workers to an employer in Switzerland is subject to the authorisation of the competent cantonal authority. The entry visa is granted only when the requested authorisations have been delivered.