Swiss Parliament Advances Digital Schengen Visa Platform

House of Representatives approves transition to EU online visa application system, streamlining short-stay Schengen visa process while maintaining humanitarian exceptions.

Key Takeaways

The Swiss House of Representatives approved the transition to an online Schengen visa application system.
The new digital system applies specifically to short-stay visas of up to 90 days.
Switzerland is not expected to connect to the European platform until early 2030 at the earliest.
Humanitarian exceptions will still allow for physical paper applications.

By The Numbers

126 to 59

vote margin

2030

implementation year

90 days

visa duration

They Said

"It will also be useful for companies wishing to bring in people from third countries."
— Christian Wasserfallen

"More generally, we have doubts about the effectiveness of the system to be put in place."
— Jean-Luc Addor

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Sources & References

Swiss House of Representatives backs online Schengen visa system

SWI swissinfo.ch

Key Takeaways

The Swiss House of Representatives approved the transition to an online Schengen visa application system.
The new digital system applies specifically to short-stay visas of up to 90 days.
Switzerland is not expected to connect to the European platform until early 2030 at the earliest.
Humanitarian exceptions will still allow for physical paper applications.