Consulate General of Switzerland in Sydney

The Consulate General premises in Sydney © FDFA

CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19)

The Embassy and the Consulate General strive to provide Swiss citizens with the most recent information. However, please note that regulations can change quickly and sometimes without prior notice. Of course such updated regulations prevail over the information stated below.

The Embassy and the Consulate General are aware of the difficult situation that many of our citizens currently encounter. We are making every effort to respond to your inquiries quickly. We are open Monday to Thursday, 09.00h to 12.00h. Please contact us for an appointment (by calling 02 8383 4000 or by writing an e-mail to sydney@eda.admin.ch). Please also consult this website for new information regularly.

We advise all Swiss citizens in Australia to comply with the recommendations and regulations of the competent local authorities, the Department of Health, the Department of Home Affairs or others. Please keep yourself updated. Be aware that Australian citizens (including dual-nationals) and permanent residents need to secure a travel exemption from the Australian Border Force (ABF) Commissioner before they can leave Australia.

Please note that entry to Australia is currently highly restricted. Entry is only possible for Australian nationals and for permanent residents, and their immediate family members, or if you have been granted a visa and an individual travel exemption, which is issued only to a very restricted number of categories of visitors and individuals. Furthermore, highly reduced caps on international arrivals are in place.

For more information about Australian border restrictions, please check the following website: covid19.homeaffairs.gov.au

Please also follow the travel advice "Focus novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)” of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA), the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health (FOPH) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

Thank you for your understanding in these extraordinary circumstances worldwide.

Health-related requirements for travels to Switzerland

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, there are special rules for people entering Switzerland. Depending on the type of travel, you might have to fill out an entry form, show proof of a negative test and/or go into quarantine.

These rules are implemented by the Federal Office of Public Health and you will find the most recent information here.

To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.

Contact details
Please also note, that all persons arriving from abroad have to fill out an entry form online with contact details before they enter Switzerland. You will find this form for incoming travelers at swissplf.admin.ch.

Please note however, depending on the airline, different rules may apply and therefore we strongly advise you to check with your airline to find out which requirements have to be fulfilled when checking in at the airport, which forms need to be presented, what kind of test or confirmation is accepted, in which form the confirmation has to be presented, etc. If you are unable to show all documents required by the airline, you may not be allowed to board the plane.

Important information "Visa for Switzerland"

Australian nationals, as well as permanent residents (as long as they have the necessary Schengen visa), are allowed to enter Switzerland for a short stay of up to 90 days.

Short-term visa applications for tourism, visits or business are accepted and processed (permanent residents only!). Please note, that visas for Hungary are not processed until further notice.

Long term National visas D (study, work or family reunion) are processed and applications are accepted.

All foreign nationals who are already holders of a Swiss residency permit can enter Switzerland upon presentation of their valid residency permit.

Swiss citizens and EU/EFTA citizens can enter Switzerland at any time.

Before you travel, please check the website of the State Secretariat for Migration SEM under the following link: Corona: Questions and answers on entry and stay in Switzerland, the exceptions and suspension of visas