Switzerland
myswitzerland.com/en/- Member of Schengen Agreement
- Visa: Required
- Vaccination: None Required
- Capital
- Bern (BRN)
- Dialing Code
- + 41
- Time Zone
- UTC / GMT +1
- Daylight Savings Time
- From last Sun in Mar - last Sun in Oct: UTC / GMT +2
- Language
- German, French, Italian and Romansch
- Best Time to Go
- Year Round
- Currency
- Swiss Franc (CHF)
Travel Tips
- English is widely spoken.
- Littering is a serious social crime in Switzerland, and you should also make an effort to throw your recyclables in the proper receptacle.
Last updated 10 September 2026
Visa Guide
Foreign Representation in South Africa
Embassy of Switzerland
225 Veale Street, Parc Nouveau, New Muckleneuk, 0181
Tel: 012 452 0660
E-mail: pretoria@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/pretoria
Monday - Friday, 09:00 - 12:00
Consulate General of Switzerland
Two Foreshore Place, 32nd floor, suite 3201, 2 Riebeek Street, Cape Town
Tel: 021 400 7500
E-mail: capetown@eda.admin.ch
Web: www.eda.admin.ch/capetown
By appointment only.
Public Holidays
2026
August 1 (Individual states / provinces may observe additional holidays)
Visa Application Centre
VFS Global
Tel: 012 425 3017
Web: visa.vfsglobal.com/zaf/en/che/
NOTE: No walk-ins allowed
Cape Town: 8th Floor, 2 Long Street, Cape Town, 8001
Durban: Unit 409, 4th Floor, 91 -123 Cowey Road (Problem Mkhize Road) Essenwood, Durban
Pretoria: Brooklyn Pavilion, First floor, 316 Tram Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk, Brooklyn, Pretoria
Visa Requirements
Switzerland is a member of the Schengen Agreement.
- If you intend to visit only Switzerland, you must apply at the Embassy of Switzerland / Visa Application Centre.
- If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate that is your main destination / longest stay
- If you intend to visit several countries but are spending an equal number of days in each, you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country of your first point of entry
See General Schengen Visa Requirements
In addition:
- 1 Schengen visa application form duly filled in by computer, dated and signed
- MINORS: both parents must sign application form. If parents are travelling with minor, then valid Schengen visa of parents must be submitted
- Round trip flight reservation (do not buy ticket until visa is approved)
- If applicable: proof of Inter-Schengen travel (car rental/flights/train and/or bus tickets).
- Proof of sufficient funds: Note that the minimum requirement is CHF 100 (students CHF 30) per day in the Schengen area
- Photocopy of the passport page containing the personal data
- Checklist must be signed
Visa Processing Time
Usually 15 days. Applications may not be submitted more than 6 months in advance
Visa Validity
Up to 90 days over a period of 180 days.
Visa Cost
Schengen Visa: EUR90 (ZAR 1800)
Minors: EUR45 (ZAR 950)
Under 6: Free
VFS Service Fee: ZAR 476
Payable in rands - fees are subject to change based on fluctuating exchange rate. Fees can be paid by debit / credit card or direct bank deposit to VFS
All fees are non-refundable
Visa Forms
Health / Vaccinations
Compulsory:
- None
Recommended Travel Vaccines:
- Hepatitis B
- Tetanus
- Polio
South African Representative Abroad
South African Embassy
Alpenstrasse 29, 3006 Berne
Tel: +41(0)31 350 13 13
E-mail: [bern.consular@dirco.gov.za](bern.consular@dirco.gov.za)
Web: dirco.gov.za/berne/the-embassy