European Travel Information and Authorization System

ETIAS Switzerland Application for American Citizens

The new ETIAS travel authorization system has not been activated yet. In 2025, the updated border security system is expected to go live. Before traveling to Switzerland, or any other country in the Schengen area, all American citizens will have to apply for an ETIAS Switzerland application online.

 

ETIAS Process Step - 1
STEP 1

Get notified when ETIAS is mandatory

ETIAS Process Step - 2
STEP 2

Start the application with us

ETIAS Process Step - 3
STEP 3

Receive ETIAS confirmation

ETIAS Process Step - 4
STEP 4

Welcome to Europe


What’s ETIAS Switzerland application?

The European Travel Information and Authorization System, or ETIAS Switzerland Application, is a new visa waiver program that allows for short-term travel within the Schengen area (plus Vatican City, San Marino, Croatia, Cyprus, Romania, and Bulgaria).The European Commission envisioned the ETIAS Switzerland program, a modernized travel authorization program, back in 2016. The ETIAS system will revolutionize the way that millions of Americans and international visitors travel to Switzerland and other European nations.The updated border security system will be available in 2025. Before entering any of the 26 Schengen countries, all US citizens will need to complete an electronic ETIAS application. It will be easy for international travelers to apply online in order to receive the ETIAS visa waiver program. It shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes. Many travelers may be curious as to why the ETIAS countries replaced the visa-free policy at their border. ETIAS is an international authorization system that allows residents and travelers to travel internationally. It was designed by the European Commission to increase border security and safety. It is part of a larger plan that aims to reduce travel-related risk and transnational crime, as well as combat illegal immigration and terrorism in the Schengen region. Foreign travelers who want to travel to the Schengen region will have to undergo mandatory pre-screening through the ETIAS authorization Switzerland program. It is easy to apply online for an electronic ETIAS Switzerland application if you are an American citizen and want to travel to Switzerland, France, or other Schengen nations.
ETIAS offers visa waivers for international travelers from the US and 59 additional nationalities.It is valid in all ETIAS nations (Schengen countries plus Romania, Bulgaria, Vatican City, San Marino, Crotia, and Cyprus).Visit our homepage to see a complete list of ETIAS countries and countries eligible for the ETIAS Visa Waiver. It is important to remember that not all member countries of the European Union have signed the Schengen Agreement.The original signing of the Schengen Agreement was in 1985 by Belgium and France, Luxembourg, West Germany, and the Netherlands.The treaty now covers 26 European countries.However, the Schengen Agreement does not apply to all EU members.Norway and Switzerland are both members of the Schengen region and will require an ETIAS visa waiver just like Switzerland. Switzerland, however, is not a member the European Union, just like Norway. Even though they are not members of the EU, they will require ETIAS because they are part of Schengen. On the other hand, Ireland is an integral member of EU but does not participate in Schengen Agreement. As such, Ireland will not require an ETIAS visa waiver in order to enter its borders. It will, however, maintain its travel regulations, Common Travel Area (CTA), and other agreements with the UK. Note that other countries not part of Schengen such as Vatican City, Romania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Croatia, and San Marino will also require ETIAS. Being that Switzerland borders five other European countries – France, Germany, Liechtenstein, Italy and Austria – it is multilingual and benefits from a wide array of rich cultural influences. The western parts of Switzerland, for example, have a distinct French flavour, and most of the residents speak French and enjoy French cuisine. The other languages spoken in Switzerland are German, Italian and Romansh, and there are a number of dialects spoken in different regions, where there are also vastly varying traditions and cultural practises. Switzerland is famous for its arts and crafts, the most notable and famous of which is watchmaking. One sight to behold is the International Clock Museum in La-Chaux-de-Fond, which houses over 700 wall clocks! Historical centres like Zurich and Geneva offer an array of cultural attractions, art galleries and museums, and the capital Bern is a medieval town of historic wonder. There are over 600 museums across Switzerland, the most well-known of which are the Olympic Museum in Lausanne, The Swiss Land Museum in Zurich, the Transport Museum in Lucerne, the Art Museum in Basel and the Red Cross Museum in Geneva. Trips to magnificent castles dating back hundreds of years like the Château de Chillon, reflected splendidly against the water, will be sure to imprint memories of a lifetime upon you and your family. It is also highly recommended that visitors seek out the musical and cultural activities that have been passed down through the generations in Switzerland and are still widely enjoyed today, like the Alpine folk music brought alive with traditional instruments such as the accordion, violin, bass violin, alphorn and clarinet dulcimer. While a visit to Switzerland is a must, it is important to remember that from 2025, the requirements for entry will change. Switzerland is not a member of the EU as it is a country that strongly values its independence, sovereignty and neutrality. However, since 2018 it has been part of the Schengen region, which means that anyone travelling to Switzerland from visa-free countries like the UK will soon require ETIAS approval to do so.

Get notified when ETIAS becomes mandatory! Check the latest news about travel requirements in Europe

Learn more about ETIAS Switzerland application

This page provides all information about ETIAS requirements for American citizens who wish to travel to Switzerland or other Schengen countries. This page will cover all the information you need including which documents are required, possible reasons authorities may have to cancel or refuse your application, and everything in between. Travel requirements can change at any time. We will continue to make sure that our website has the most up-to-date information on travel. We are dedicated to providing international travelers with up-to-date information and you can trust our website.
It is important that US citizens planning to travel to Switzerland understand how to apply for the ETIAS Switzerland application. ETIAS for Switzerland will replace the

existing visa-free Schengen travel policy for Americans and the other 59 eligible countries. ETIAS will offer an online application similar to the ESTA visa waiver program. American citizens traveling to Switzerland won’t need to apply to a Schengen visa if their stay is 90 days or less. Pre-approved international travelers will be able to enter any Schengen country with the new ETIAS visa waiver system. For a complete list of countries which will require an ETIAS, please visit our homepage. You will also find the 60 countries exempted from visa requirements that are eligible for the ETIAS Visa Waiver Program. It is important to note that an ETIAS Switzerland application doesn’t guarantee entry into the country. Border officials will make the final decision in each case.

Information about the ETIAS Switzerland application request

American citizens who are planning to travel to Switzerland and other countries within the Schengen area can apply for the ETIAS Switzerland application to expedite their pre-screening.The electronic application takes about 10 minutes. ETIAS will send an approval/rejection email to most applicants within 24 hours of receiving their application.If there are no problems with the submitted application information, this usually means approval.

Nonetheless, after reviewing the application, officials may request additional information.If there are any inconsistencies or if they want to verify the information, they may request a face-to-face interview.

Most international travelers applying for ETIAS will find the process of obtaining travel authorization easy. To apply for ETIAS Switzerland application, you will only need an internet connection and a valid passport.

US citizens can apply online for travel approval and receive it in less than 24 hours in most cases. Additional information may be required by border officials, including hotel reservations, return flights or proof of sufficient funds. Americans will not need to apply for an additional ETIAS visa waiver within 3 years of the expiration date.

Information about the ETIAS Switzerland application request

Biometric information


  • First name
  • Last name
  • Last name at birth
  • Date of birth

NATIONALITY information


  • Place of birth
  • Information regarding your citizenship
  • Postal and physical addresses
  • Email address and phone number
  • Work experience and education
  • The first ETIAS country you intend to visit

BACKGROUND & Eligibility QUESTIONS


  • Medical history
  • Criminal history
  • Terrorism or drug use
  • Previous travel to warzones
  • History of travel
Get notified when ETIAS becomes mandatory!

Reasons for ETIAS Switzerland Applications to be Cancelled or Rejected

After an application has been submitted, there are several reasons why the ETIAS system could reject it. These reasons mostly stem from mistakes made when submitting an application online. Switzerland border officials might also be concerned about the applicant’s legal status or travel history. An ETIAS Switzerland application can be denied or cancelled for many reasons, including but certainly not limited to:

 

  • The applicant submitted a passport or other travel document that Schengen Information Systems had identified as invalid, stolen or misappropriated by Schengen.
  • The applicant appears to be a criminal threat to European citizens and other international visitors.
  • Because of their health, the applicant poses a threat to Schengen citizens and other international travelers.
  • It is possible that the applicant has a history of exceeding travel time limits or becoming an illegal immigrant.
  • The SIS has flagged the applicant before. They are not allowed to enter or stay in Schengen countries.
  • The deadline for applicants to provide additional information in their ETIAS Switzerland applications has expired.
  • The applicant was invited for an interview in person, but he didn’t show up.