Practical aspects for Swiss permits and visas during the COVID 19
March 31, 2020
Introduction
In its ordinance, the Federal Council has taken various measures to fight the spread of the coronavirus. One of these measures is to refuse entry to persons who do not have a residence permit or confirmation of their announcement of arrival from the competent authorities.
Below is some useful information regarding the permits and visas during the COVID-19:
VISAS or VISA FREE ENTRY
From 13rd March 2020, Switzerland closed its borders to Italy.
From 17th March 2020, Switzerland closed its borders to France, Germany and Austria.
From 19th March 2020, Switzerland closed its borders to Spain and all other European countries in particular UK, Ireland, Bulgaria, Romania and Cyprus.
From 25th March 2020, Switzerland closed its borders to all other European countries except Liechtenstein.
If you already have a Schengen visa and cannot enter Switzerland because of the COVID-19 measures, you can request an extension of your visa if it covers the period between 15th March 2020 and 30th September 2020.
If you are in Switzerland and have exceeded your 90-day period of stay within the 180 days because you could not leave the country because of the cancellation of your flights or the closing of the borders, please contact the immigration authorities of the canton where you are staying for an extension as soon as possible. Your impossibility to leave the country will in principle not be penalized and will not be considered as an “overstay”
Switzerland will refuse tourist and other visas (work, medical treatment, services, exhibitions) to enter Switzerland from 15th March 2020 until 15th June 2020. Exceptions can be granted for extreme cases or for cases of public interest for example:
- Demise of a family member;
- Ongoing medical treatment critical for saving the patient’s life;
- Foreign family members of a Swiss citizen;
- Swiss citizens returning to their home country;
- Official urgent visas
If you are refused entry into Switzerland, you can ask for a written decision and you have 48 hours to send a written opposition to the SEM (Swiss federal immigration authorities). The decision of the SEM can be appealed within 30 days.
PERMIT APPLICATIONS AND PERMIT HOLDERS
The following foreign nationals will be permitted to enter Switzerland:
- Holders of a “carte de legitimation”;
- Health professionals who have been granted business visas;
- G Permit holders (Frontaliers) with a SYMIC Form (allowing them to enter and work in Switzerland)
As of the 17th March 2020, EU nationals who are normally allowed to enter Switzerland for work and announce their arrival within 8 days, must announce their arrival to the competent Cantonal immigration authorities before beginning work and they have to wait for a confirmation.
Work permit applications (B, L or G) of EU nationals which are pending approval, will only be granted for healthcare, food, energy, logistics, IT, communication and maintenance sectors.
For G permit holders (Frontaliers) who are supposed to return to their home country once a week, requests can be made to suspend this requirement and instead remain in Switzerland to comply with their work obligation. The suspension may be granted depending on each specific case.
The prolongation or renewal of G permits cannot be refused based on the illness of the applicant or the argument of prevention of contagion.
For work permit applications filed after the 15th March 2020 for non EU nationals, these will only be granted, subject to all other conditions being fulfilled, provided that they are for public interest for example employees active in the health sector.
If you are refused entry into Switzerland, you can ask for a written decision and you have 48 hours to send a written opposition to the SEM (Swiss federal immigration authorities). The decision of the SEM can be appealed within 30 days.
If you need more assistance, we remain available by email or WhatsApp video conferences to assist you with your legal issues during these uncertain times.
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