Embassy
Embassy of Canada, Bern
Bern
Postfach, 88 Kirchenfeldstrasse, 3000 Bern 6
Switzerland visa requirements for Canadian citizens
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Switzerland. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
Passport
CAN
Canada
Going to
CHE
Switzerland
No visa needed
People with eligible passports can visit without a visa.
- Visa
- Not required
- Max stay
- 90 days (3 months)
- Fee
- Free
- Last updated
- 11 November 2026
What to do
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it.
Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
Note the maximum stay and count your days in Switzerland.
Ways into Switzerland
Visit with a tourist visa or an allowed visa-free stay.
Visa not required For your passportVisa-free short visitPeople with eligible passports can visit without a visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check your passport on Switzerland's visa-free list.
- Check any special rules for your passport.
- Carry proof of your trip and funds.
Documents required
- Accepted passport
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- Proof of trip and funds
- Hotel details recommended
- Return or onward ticket recommended
- Stay at most 90 days per 180 across Schengen; this does not allow work.
- For trips you fund yourself, carry proof of at least 100 CHF per day.
Visa not requiredVisit with Schengen papersVisit with an accepted Schengen residence permit or type D visa.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- Free
How to apply
- Check that your permit or visa allows Schengen travel.
- Carry your original permit or visa and travel document.
- Keep both valid for your whole visit.
Documents required
- Accepted travel document
- Schengen residence permit or D visa
- Visit for at most 90 days per 180; this does not allow work or moving.
- A Schengen tourist visa can also work within its dates, entry count and stay limit.
Visa on arrivalEmergency border visaBorder staff may grant a visa when unexpected urgent reasons prevented applying earlier.
- Stay
- 15 days
How to apply
- Explain your unexpected, urgent reason to border staff.
- Show proof of your reason and planned departure.
- Wait for border staff to decide.
Documents required
- Accepted travel document
- Proof of urgent reason
- Proof of return or onward travel
- Do not rely on this for a planned trip; border staff must accept your case.
- The stay is at most 15 days; transit allows only the time needed.
Visa requiredTourist visaFor tourists who need a visa for a short visit.
- Stay
- 90 days
- Fee
- €90
- Processing
- 15–45 days
How to apply
- Check that Switzerland is your main Schengen stop.
- Find the Swiss visa office for where you live.
- Book an appointment and submit your form and papers.
- Pay the fee and give fingerprints if asked.
Documents required
- Passport with 2 blank pages
- Passport valid 90 days after departure
- Signed form and photo
- Travel health insurance
- Travel and hotel bookings
- Proof of funds and personal ties
- Child consent papers if needed
- Return ticket
- Fingerprints
- Stay at most 90 days per 180 across Schengen; your visa may allow fewer.
- Insurance must cover the whole Schengen trip, including emergency care and medical return: 30,000 EUR.
Sources (32)Last updated 11 November 2026
- State Secretariat for Migration: entering Switzerland
- SEM: entry requirements by nationality
- SEM: nationality-table publication page
- SEM: nationality and passport requirements, 3 April 2026
- SEM: special provisions and airport transit exemptions
- SEM: entry frequently asked questions
- SEM: entry with a visa
- SEM: entry without a visa
- SEM: Schengen area
- SEM: current and planned ETIAS requirements
- SEM: working in Switzerland
- Schengen Visa Code published by SEM
- Federal Department of Foreign Affairs: visa requirements
- Switzerland's official online visa application system
- Official European Union ETIAS information website
- European Commission: applying for a Schengen visa
- Swiss representations in the US: short-stay visa requirement
- Swiss representations in the US: national visa procedures
- Swiss representations in the US: student visa checklist
- Swiss representations in the US: family-reunification checklist, November 2026
- Swiss representation in the UK: Schengen visa procedure
- Swiss representation in the UK: business checklist
- Swiss representation in the UK: study-trip checklist
- Swiss representation in the UK: visitor checklist
- Swiss Embassy in India: visa and entry information
- Swiss Embassy in India: tourist checklist
- Swiss Embassy in India: airport transit visa requirement
- Swiss Embassy in Ethiopia: airport transit procedure
- Swiss Embassy in Korea: airport transit checklist
- Swiss representations in China: Schengen application procedure
- Swiss representations in China: medical-treatment checklist
- Swiss representation in New Zealand: bilateral visa waiver
Embassies for this trip
For lost passports and emergencies.
Trips to Switzerland
Day-by-day itineraries by snuck, shaped around you.
Coming from Canada
- Plugs C JAdapter needed
- MoneyCHF Fr
- Time+9h
- DrivingOn the rightSame as home
- LanguageFrenchSpoken at home too
- Emergency117 police144 ambulance
Planning your Switzerland trip
Best time to go: Late May to early October is the most convenient period for exploring. July and August can be crowded; winter is popular for skiing and other winter sports.
- The Swiss AlpsSee high mountains, glaciers and dramatic scenery in southern Switzerland.
- The Jura mountainsExplore the mountain landscape in the northwest of the country.
- Lake Geneva vineyardsThe region is known for its wine and attractive vineyards.
- Furka PassThis mountain pass between Uri and Valais offers an Alpine journey almost 2.5 kilometres above sea level.
Scams to watch for in Switzerland
- Pickpocketing and petty theftThieves take valuables while travellers are distracted. Petty theft is fairly common in Geneva. Pickpockets are also a main theft concern on Basel's public transport.
- Bag snatching on the airport trainBag snatchers target this train route. A bag left out of sight or beyond easy reach is harder to protect.
- Bicycle and bicycle-part theftThieves take unsecured bicycle parts, including seats and wheels. Bicycles may also be vandalised.
About Switzerland
Switzerland is a landlocked federal republic in Central Europe, across the Alps and the Jura.
- Capital
- Bern
- Money
- Swiss franc (Fr)
- Languages
- French, Swiss German, Italian
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Cars drive on the
- right side
- Calling code
- +41
Other Americas passports
Going to Switzerland
Easier trips nearby
Places close to Switzerland with simpler entry for you.
Questions
Do canadian citizens need a visa for Switzerland?
Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Switzerland. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 90 days.
How long can canadian citizens stay in Switzerland?
Up to 90 days each visit with the no visa needed rule. Staying longer can mean a fine or a ban from coming back.
Do swiss citizens need a visa for Canada?
Swiss citizens do not need a visa for Canada. Show your passport at the border and stay up to 180 days.
Do other Americas passports get easier entry to Switzerland?
Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados Brazil, and 5 more can enter without applying before they travel.
Which countries near Switzerland are easier for canadian citizens?
Belgium, France, Germany, Liechtenstein Luxembourg, and 3 more let canadian citizens in without applying before travel.
What should I carry to Switzerland?
Check your passport is valid for the whole stay, ideally six months beyond it. Carry proof of onward travel and of funds; border officers can ask for both.
What money is used in Switzerland?
Swiss franc (Fr). Carry some cash for arrival, especially if a visa fee is paid at the border.
What language do people speak in Switzerland?
French, Swiss German, Italian and Romansh.
How strong is the Canada passport?
It ranks #10 and reaches 152 destinations without applying ahead.
Reviewed by @snuck