Visa facilitation for Russia suspended
At its meeting on September 16, 2022, the Federal Council completely suspended the visa facilitation agreement with Russia. The Federal Council is thus making the same decision as the European Union and thus wants to standardize visa policy.
Since 2009, Switzerland and the Russian Federation have had an agreement to facilitate the issuance of visas for their nationals. This has so far simplified the visa procedure for certain groups of people and travel occasions and reduced visa fees. Due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine, the European Union (EU) decided on September 9, 2022 to completely suspend its visa facilitation agreement with Russia. At its meeting on September 16, the Federal Council has now also decided to suspend the agreement with Switzerland.
It is in Switzerland's interest to support a common and harmonized European visa policy, according to a Federal Council statement. Otherwise, evasive movements could lead to a significant increase in visa applications by Russian nationals at Swiss representations, the Federal Council said.
Source: Federal Council/Editorial Office
