Allgemeine Fragen zur Arbeitsmarktzulassung aus Drittstaaten:
Bevor Sie uns schriftlich kontaktieren, konsultieren Sie bitte zuerst unsere FAQ:
• FAQ – Nicht-EU/EFTA-Angehörige
Warning against fraudulent e-mailsEmails with the sender "Swiss Immigration" and requests for payment are sent to foreigners. The SEM warns against these fraud attempts. |
Postal address
State Secretariat for Migration SEM
(name of person/organisational unit if known)
CH-3003 Bern
Site address
State Secretariat for Migration SEM
Quellenweg 6
Wabern
Office hours for central telephone call
Monday through Friday from 9am to 11am and from 2pm to 4pm
Reception:
Tel. +41 58 465 11 11
Fax +41 58 465 93 79
Warning of telephone fraud
SEM has become aware of instances of caller ID spoofing using its telephone number. The callers claim to be phoning on behalf of SEM and threaten their victims with arrest or deportation if they do not pay a large sum of money.
SEM does not issue invoices by telephone or email. If someone has phoned or emailed you demanding you transfer money to SEM, you should contact the police immediately.
Your contact by topic
Residence, Procedures to Remove and Keep People Away, Appeal Procedures
Labour Market Access for Nationals of Third States
Free Movement of Persons EU/EFTA
Travel Documents and Return Visas
General Visa Requirements
Entry
Asylum
Integration
Citizenship / Naturalization
Statistics
Further Information
E-Government
Residence, Procedures to Remove and Keep People Away, Appeal Procedures
Questions on the following topics:
- Appeal Procedure Concerning Schengen Visa and Humanitarian Visa (concrete, pending or rejected visa application)
The Swiss representations abroad are responsible for processing visa applications (visitors and tourists). Enquiries should be addressed directly to the Swiss representation abroad.
Appeals against the refusal of a visa (both Schengen and humanitarian visas) are examined by the State Secretariat for Migration SEM. Please note that the examination of an appeal usually takes several months depending on the necessity of complementary investigations. During this procedure, no information can be provided on the status of individual proceedings.
- Procedures to Remove and Keep People Away
Requests related to entry bans and suspension must be submitted to the SEM in writing (by postal service). A power of attorney (if the person is represented by a representative) and a copy of the passport of the person concerned has to be attached to the request:
State Secretariat for Migration SEM
Quellenweg 6
3003 Bern
- Residence
The responsibility for the examination of applications, extensions of permits (L, B, C permits) and family reunification lies with the competent cantonal migration authorities. Such enquiries should be addressed directly to the cantonal migration authorities:
• Cantonal Migration and Labour Market Authorities
Enquiries regarding the above-mentioned matters for which the SEM is responsible should be addressed with indication of the canton of residence or future residence. Please use the following contact form:
Cantons: AI, AR, GR, GL, FL, SH, SG, TG, ZH
Contact
Cantons: AG, BE, BL, BS, LU, NW, OW, SO, SZ, UR, ZG
Contact
Cantons: NE, VD, VS, TI
Contact
Cantons: GE, FR, JU
Contact
Labour Market Access for Nationals of Third States
Questions regarding applications and the application process should be sent to the cantonal migration authorities directly:
• Cantonal immigration and employment market authorities
Free Movement of Persons EU/EFTA
Questions regarding
- issuance and extension of (short-term) residence permits and cross-border commuter permits,
- applications for family reunification
should be sent directly to the cantonal migration authorities:
• Cantonal immigration and employment market authorities
The contact form below can be used for general questions regarding the application of the Agreement on the Free Movement of Persons between Switzerland and the EU and the EFTA Agreement, as well as general questions regarding the notification procedure (short-term work of up to three months or 90 days per calendar year).
Travel Documents and Return Visas
For questions concerning applications for a Swiss travel document for foreign people or a return visa, please contact the cantonal immigration authorities:
• Cantonal immigration and labour market authorities
General Visa Requirements
Questions relating to
- visa requirements based on nationality or regardless of nationality (crew members, refugees, children without their own travel documents, etc.) for stays up to or over 90 days,
- the purpose of the stay,
- travel medical insurance (TMI),
- the letter of invitation,
- the duration of the stay, etc.
Before contacting us in writing, please first consult our FAQ. You may already find the answer(s) to your question(s) there:
• FAQ – Entry
Entry
We provide information on the Swiss border controls and answer the following questions in particular
- Do I need a travel document, is my travel document (still) valid and is it recognised for entry into or transit through Switzerland?
- Do I need a visa to enter or transit Switzerland?
- How long can I stay in Switzerland?
- How much money do I need for my intended stay in Switzerland?
- Can I travel to another country via a Swiss airport?
Before contacting us, please consult our FAQ:
• FAQ – Entry
For questions regarding entry into other countries, please contact the relevant foreign authority.
To ensure that your enquiry is dealt with quickly and efficiently, please provide as much - accurate and complete - information as possible especially regarding:
- the nationality of the traveller
- the travel documents / visas / residence permits held (please send an electronic copy [photo, scan]);
- travel to Switzerland or other Schengen countries in the last six months.
Asylum
Information about individuals or individual cases (status of the case, inspection of files, forwarding of documents and identity papers, etc.) have to be sent by regular post at the SEM (Address: State Secretariat for Migration, Quellenweg 6, 3003 Bern-Wabern) indicating the name(s), the first name(s), the date of birth and the "N" number.
We will continue to answer general inquiries via e-mail. Please fill out our online contact form:
E-Government
Please send your message to one address only. If necessary your message will be forwarded to the competent authority.
Last modification 01.03.2025
