Swiss Passport
Swiss Passport is one of the most prestigious and valuable passports in the world, ranking third globally. Holders of a Swiss passport can travel to 122 countries without a visa, 49 countries with a visa on arrival, 7 countries with electronic authorization, and 20 countries that require a visa.
Given that there are different routes for immigration to Switzerland and the rules for obtaining a Swiss passport are different, naturally, the price of a Swiss passport will also be different. In general, the cost and price of a Swiss passport for people 18 years of age and older is 65 Swiss francs and for people under 18 years of age is 35 Swiss francs. This amount is for a 5-year passport.
There are different methods for obtaining a Swiss passport, such as:
- Work
- Study
- Investment
- Birth
Marriage and asylum, each of which has different conditions for obtaining a passport. If you have any questions about immigration to Switzerland and obtaining a Swiss passport, you can ask your questions at the end of this article so that the experts of the Malekpour Institute can answer your questions as soon as possible.
Value and Validity of the Swiss Passport
The validity and value of passports are categorized based on the number of countries that citizens of that country can travel to without a visa. In the latest update on the validity of passports worldwide, Switzerland’s passport ranks third, alongside countries like Hungary, Norway, Portugal, and the United States.
Which countries can be visited without a visa with a Swiss passport?
According to the passportindex website, Switzerland has one of the most powerful passports in the world, ranking 4th globally. The dynamic score of the Swiss passport is 178, derived from the total number of countries without visa requirements, the number with visa on arrival, and those requiring electronic authorization (ETA).
There are 122 countries that Swiss passport holders can visit without a visa, which are listed below.
| Country 1 | Duration | Country 2 | Duration | Country 3 | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | 90 days | Andorra | No limit | Antigua & Barbuda | 180 days |
| Argentina | 90 days | Armenia | 180 days | Austria | No limit |
| Bahamas | 240 days | Barbados | 180 days | Belarus | 30 days |
| Belgium | No limit | Belize | 30 days | Bolivia | 90 days |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | 90 days | Botswana | 90 days | Brazil | 90 days |
| Bulgaria | No limit | Brunei | 90 days | Cape Verde | 30 days |
| Chile | 90 days | Colombia | 90 days | Costa Rica | 90 days |
| Croatia | No limit | Cyprus | No limit | Czech Republic | No limit |
| Denmark | No limit | Dominica | 180 days | Dominican Republic | No limit |
| Ecuador | 90 days | El Salvador | 90 days | Estonia | No limit |
| Eswatini | 30 days | Fiji | 120 days | Finland | No limit |
| France | No limit | Gambia | 90 days | Georgia | 360 days |
| Germany | No limit | Greece | No limit | Grenada | 90 days |
| Guatemala | 90 days | Guyana | 90 days | Haiti | 90 days |
| Honduras | 90 days | Hungary | No limit | Iceland | No limit |
| Ireland | No limit | Israel | 90 days | Italy | No limit |
| Kazakhstan | 30 days | Kiribati | 120 days | Kosovo | 90 days |
| Kyrgyzstan | 60 days | Latvia | No limit | Lesotho | 14 days |
| Liechtenstein | No limit | Jamaica | 90 days | Lithuania | No limit |
| Luxembourg | No limit | Malta | No limit | Malaysia | 90 days |
| Mauritius | 90 days | Mexico | 180 days | Moldova | 90 days |
| Monaco | No limit | Montenegro | 90 days | Morocco | 90 days |
| Namibia | 90 days | Netherlands | No limit | Nicaragua | 90 days |
| North Macedonia | 90 days | Norway | No limit | Palestine | No limit |
| Panama | 180 days | Paraguay | 90 days | Peru | 90 days |
| Philippines | 30 days | Poland | No limit | Portugal | No limit |
| Qatar | 90 days | Romania | No limit | Saint Kitts & Nevis | 90 days |
| Saint Lucia | 90 days | San Marino | No limit | São Tomé & Príncipe | 15 days |
| Serbia | 90 days | Singapore | 90 days | Slovakia | No limit |
| Slovenia | No limit | South Africa | 90 days | Spain | No limit |
| St. Vincent & Grenadines | 30 days | Sweden | No limit | Tajikistan | 30 days |
| Thailand | 30 days | Trinidad & Tobago | 90 days | Timor-Leste | 90 days |
| Turkey | 90 days | Tunisia | 90 days | Tuvalu | 90 days |
| UAE | 90 days | Ukraine | 90 days | United Kingdom | 180 days |
| Uruguay | 90 days | Uzbekistan | 30 days | Vatican City | 90 days |
| Venezuela | 90 days |
Which countries can Swiss passport holders visit with a visa on arrival?
There are 49 countries that Swiss passport holders can travel to with a visa on arrival. Some of these include Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Egypt, Cuba, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, and more…
Requirements for Obtaining a Swiss Passport
The requirements for obtaining a Swiss passport include various stages and conditions that must be considered. The requirements for obtaining a Swiss passport are outlined below.
- To apply for a Swiss passport, you must have legally lived and worked in Switzerland for at least ten years.
- Only Swiss citizens can obtain a Swiss passport. Therefore, you must first go through the process of obtaining Swiss citizenship.
- Proficiency in one of the official languages of Switzerland
- No criminal record
- Be over 18 years of age
Methods of Acquiring Swiss Passport
Acquiring a Swiss passport can be done in several ways, which we will explain below:
- Acquiring Passport through Employment
- Acquiring Passport through Education
- Acquiring Passport through Investment
- Acquiring Passport through Birth
- Acquiring Passport through Marriage
- Acquiring Passport through Asylum
Swiss Passport through Employment
To obtain a Swiss passport through employment, you must first obtain a Swiss work visa. To obtain a Swiss work visa, you must first be invited by a person or company in Switzerland.
| Condition | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Time to obtain permanent residence | After 10 years of full-time employment |
| Requirement for permanent residence | Paying taxes |
| Time to obtain passport | 2 years after permanent residence |
Swiss Passport through Education
Studying in Switzerland alone will never lead to permanent residency and a Swiss passport. For this purpose, after completing university studies, one must obtain a work permit in Switzerland with a full-time job or pursue investment options in Switzerland for residency. Continuing education in Switzerland is available for international students at all educational levels.
| Bachelor’s Degree | Master’s Degree | PhD (Doctorate) |
|---|---|---|
| Studied in French, German, or Italian; 3-year program; work permit during studies. | Studied in English, German, French, or Italian; 1.5 to 2-year program; 20 hours of work per week. | Studied in English; requires a supervisor, recommendation letters, and previous academic qualifications. |
Swiss Passport through Investment
Investment in Switzerland can be done through business registration and entrepreneurship. To obtain residency in Switzerland through investment, one must present a viable economic plan. This plan should outline the company’s income-generating strategies and demonstrate its economic benefit to Switzerland.
Furthermore, during the company registration process, the CEO must hire at least one Swiss employee. After receiving a residency card, you can apply for a Swiss passport after 5 years.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Initial Capital | 20,000 Swiss Francs |
| Requirements | Submit a business plan; employ Swiss citizens |
| Residency Card Covers | Applicant, spouse, and children under 18 |
| Benefits | Free education for children |
| Type of Residence | Renewable annually |
| Time to Obtain Permanent Residence | After 5 years |
| Time to Obtain Citizenship | 5 years after receiving permanent residence |
Swiss Passport through Birth
Birth in Switzerland follows the principle of jus sanguinis (right of blood). According to this principle, a person born to Swiss parents can acquire Swiss citizenship and passport. Also, in Switzerland, if a child is born whose parents are unknown, they will receive Swiss citizenship and a passport.
- By blood, a person born to a Swiss father or mother can obtain a Swiss passport and citizenship.
- If a child is born whose parents are unknown, he or she will have Swiss citizenship and a Swiss passport.
Swiss Passport through Marriage
According to the laws of marriage in Switzerland, if a citizen of Switzerland marries a person from another country, they can apply for residency for their foreign spouse. The following steps must be taken to register a marriage in Switzerland:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Permanent Residence in Switzerland | After 3 years of marriage |
| Swiss Passport (Citizenship) | After 5 years of marriage |
Swiss Passport through Asylum
Malekpour Institute does not recommend immigration to Switzerland through asylum as you can always choose legal, safe, and reliable ways to immigrate and obtain a Swiss passport. This section of the article is solely for information and awareness of the risks of this path.
Regarding the topic of asylum in Switzerland, it should be noted that seeking asylum is one of the worst and most dangerous methods of immigration. A refugee is a person who does not have safety or financial security in their home country due to political, religious, or ideological reasons and is forced to leave their homeland to protect their life.
A person who goes to Switzerland for the sake of their safety and seeks asylum, if their request is accepted in court, can settle in Switzerland as a refugee and will never be able to return to their home country.
Swiss Green Passport
The Swiss Green Passport is a special type of passport for individuals who wish to immigrate to Switzerland through investment or specific economic activities. This type of passport is known as a Golden Visa or Investment Passport and is issued to individuals who have high financial capability or are active in specific economic, commercial, and industrial fields.
Having a Green Passport allows the holder to officially migrate to Switzerland and apply for Swiss citizenship once they meet the conditions for long-term residency.
Cost of Swiss Passport
The costs for obtaining a Swiss passport depend on various factors, including whether you are applying for a new passport or renewing an existing one. Costs can also vary based on the applicant’s age and the validity of the passport. Below are the general costs associated with the Swiss passport:
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport (Age 18 and above) | 5-year validity: 65 CHF10-year validity: 140 CHF |
| Passport (Under 18) | 5-year validity: 35 CHF10-year validity: 95 CHF |
| Swiss ID Card (Adults) | 35 CHF |
| Swiss ID Card (Minors) | 20 CHF |
| Additional Fees | Express processing: 50–100 CHF depending on urgency and application location |
Documents Required for Obtaining Swiss Passport
It is important to be meticulous in collecting the documents necessary for obtaining a Swiss passport, as incomplete files and documents can result in a rejection of your citizenship application. Here are the documents you need to gather and provide when applying for a Swiss passport.
- Complete the passport application form
- Documents of residence in Switzerland
- Provide identity documents
- Marriage certificate (if applicable)
- Language certificate
- Certificate of no criminal record
- Proof of financial means
- Receipt of passport issuance fee
Obtaining Swiss citizenship and a Swiss passport is a precise process that requires thorough preparation and documentation. Consulting knowledgeable advisors regarding specific conditions and instructions is essential.
Dual Citizenship in Switzerland
Dual citizenship in Switzerland means having Swiss citizenship alongside one or more other countries’ citizenships. In Switzerland, dual citizenship is legal and feasible. The laws pertaining to dual citizenship enable individuals to hold multiple citizenships while maintaining their Swiss citizenship.
The Importance of Using a Trusted Lawyer for Obtaining a Swiss Passport
The process of obtaining a Swiss passport can be complex and lengthy. A lawyer with sufficient knowledge of all Swiss laws and legal guidance can facilitate the process of obtaining a passport and advocate for your rights in case of issues or objections.
Laws and Conditions for Citizenship and Swiss Passport
Swiss citizenship can be obtained in three main ways:
- Naturalization – Live legally in Switzerland for 10 years, speak German, French, or Italian, follow Swiss laws, and pass a citizenship test (in some cantons).
- By Birth – Children born to Swiss parents automatically become citizens.
- By Marriage – After 5 years of residency and 3 years of marriage to a Swiss citizen, applicants may qualify through a simplified process. Language skills and social integration are required.
Frequently Asked Questions regarding Swiss Passport
- How many countries can Swiss passport holders travel to without a visa?
Holders of this passport can travel to 146 countries worldwide without a visa.
- After how many years of residence in Switzerland can one acquire Swiss citizenship?
If residency is obtained through marriage or investment, citizenship can be acquired after 5 years, and if residency is obtained through employment, citizenship can be acquired after 2 years.
- How valid is the Swiss passport?
Switzerland has one of the strongest passports in the world. The dynamic score of the Swiss passport is 191, which is calculated from the total number of countries that require no visa, the total number of countries with a visa on arrival, and the total number of countries that require electronic authorization (ETA).
- Can a Swiss passport be obtained through employment in this country?
Yes, after 10 years of full-time work and tax payments in Switzerland, one can apply for a permanent residence card and subsequently, after 2 years, can apply for a Swiss passport.
- Can a Swiss passport be obtained through birth in this country?
Babies born to at least one Swiss parent or if a child is born whose parents are unknown will obtain Swiss citizenship and passport.
- How is residency and passport acquired in Switzerland through investment?
Residency under this method is renewed annually, and at the end of the fifth year, a permanent residence card will be issued for the investor and their family. After that, after 5 years, they can apply for a Swiss passport.
Conclusion:
Swiss passport and various methods of obtaining Swiss citizenship were reviewed and examined in this article. If you are interested in immigrating to Switzerland and obtaining a Swiss passport, it is better to contact consultants from reputable institutions before taking any action or making any payment and ask about the conditions and documents required for issuing your desired visa from Switzerland.
Contact Malekpour Institute regarding immigration to Switzerland and obtaining a Swiss study visa and benefit from free telephone consultation with the experts of this institution.
