Do I need a national visa?

My nationality Obligation to hold a visa (yes/no)
South Africa  yes (F: D, S, OP) 
Angola yes (F: D, S)
Botswana yes (V) (F: D, OP) 
Lesotho yes 
Malawi yes 
Mauritius yes (F: D, S)
Mozambique yes 
Namibia yes (F: D, S, OP) 
Eswatini yes 
Zambia yes
Zimbabwe yes 

(F: D, S) Holders of a diplomatic or service passport are exempt from visa requirements if they travel to Switzerland to take up their duties (prise de fonctions).

(F: D, S, OP) Holders of a diplomatic, service or an official passport are exempt from visa requirements if they travel to Switzerland to take up their duties (prise de fonctions).

Other nationalities

For other nationalities, please refer to the list on the webpage of the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).

SEM – Overview of ID and visa provisions according to the nationality (Annex 1, List 1: nationality)

If you are obliged to hold a visa, please submit your application in duplicate and refer to the information on the webpage:

Where to apply for a national visa?

If you are not obliged to hold a visa, you are allowed to enter Switzerland without visa. However you are obliged to register within 14 days on arrival in Switzerland at the competent cantonal authority of your place of residence.