Regional Consular Centre Southern Africa
Switzerland and South Africa
Living in South Africa
Embassy of Switzerland in South Africa
Provides consular services and visa support for people resident in: Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West and Free State, as well as for the states of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia and Zimbabwe
Consulate General of Switzerland in Cape Town
Provides consular services for people resident in: Les provinces de Eastern Cape, Northern Cape, Western Cape
Consulate of Switzerland in Durban
supports Swiss representations in safeguarding Switzerland's interests and in emergencies involving Swiss citizens abroad. In an emergency the representation responsible (embassy or consulate-general) must be contacted immediately.
Swiss Business Hub Southern Africa
The Swiss Business Hub Southern Africa implements Swiss export strategies in the Sub-Saharan Africa region and promotes Switzerland as a business location.
All consular services for the South African provinces of Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga, North-West and Free State, as well as for the states of Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Malawi, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Zambia and Zimbabwe, have been provided by the Regional Consular Centre Southern Africa in Pretoria, which is attached to the local Embassy of Switzerland.
The Consulate General in Cape Town continues to be responsible for the South African provinces of the Eastern Cape, Northern Cape and Western Cape.
All Visa applications are handled by the Regional Consular Center Southern Africa in Pretoria.
Information can be found on the websites concerned:
Services – South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius
Visa – South Africa, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius
Travel advice for South Africa
Dossier: Living and working in South Africa (PDF, Number of pages 34, 1.1 MB, French)
Dossier: Leben und Arbeiten in Südafrika
Dossier: Vivere e Lavorare in Sudafrica
Selection Attestations and certificates Citizenship Civil status affairs (marriage, birth, death, etc.) Criminal records Driving licence and vehicles Emergency assistance (Swiss citizens in distress) Genealogical research Legalisations Liechtenstein – Consular services Lost and found Migration officers, lawyers, translators and medical services Military (obligations) Passport and identity card Political rights (voting rights) Registration and deregistration, change of address Relocating abroad and returning – Advice Scholarships Social insurance Social security Swiss Review Trade Promotion for Businesses Travelling abroad (registration to Travel Admin) Useful links
Summer & Winter camps
Young people between 15 and 35 years can create their individual stay in Switzerland
Education, Research and Innovation
An overview of the collaboration in higher education, skills development, science, research and innovation between Switzerland and South Africa
Cultural projects strengthening ties between countries
Swiss passport/ID card applications
To apply for a new Swiss passport and/or Swiss identity card, please log your application online on the following website and wait until you receive the invitation to book your appointment.
A range of consular services can be solicited through the online desk. More information on the various consular services is readily available under "Services".
For any other enquiries, please contact the Regional Consular Centre by phone +27 12 452 06 61 or by e-mail southernafrica@eda.admin.ch
New process of life verification for certain OASI/DI (AHV/IV) pension beneficiaries
The process of life verification (life certificate) will be simplified from 2022 with the introduction of an automated exchange.
Swiss nationals residing abroad who are duly registered with the Swiss representation in their country of residence will, in principle, no longer receive the "Life certificate" form to be certified, as this information will be transmitted directly from the Register of the Swiss Abroad to the Central Compensation Office in Geneva.
This simplified procedure, however, does not exempt from the obligation to inform the Swiss representation or the Central Compensation Office of any changes such as changes of address, changes in marital status, etc.
In exceptional cases, registered persons may nevertheless receive such a request for life certificate.
Important: Persons who have not yet returned their life certificate for 2021 are still obliged to do so.
For more information please consult the webpage of the Central Compensation Office
As of 4th December 2021, the competent authority in Switzerland has decided that the Flight Ban and the Quarantine Restrictions for persons entering Switzerland will be lifted (not to be confused with restricted entry regulations which are still in force).
Foreign nationals (e.g. South African citizens) are kindly requested to consult the visa page (link below) to determine whether they can enter Switzerland.
Passengers must follow the guidelines of the airlines when boarding the aircraft (e.g. present a COVID-19 negative test prior to boarding the airplane) as well as of the Federal Office of Public Health FOPH when entering and remaining in Switzerland.
Important: Everyone entering or transiting Switzerland must present a completed entry form (rare exceptions may apply, please refer to art. 3 of the COVID-19 Ordinance on International Passenger Transport). It is important to complete the electronic entry form via a computer or smartphone 48 hours at the earliest prior to travel in order to receive a QR code by email. This code needs to be kept at hand at all times and must be presented at the Check-in at the departure airport.
For Visa information click here
Please note that conditions may change quickly and at any time. Please verify the requirements with your airline, your travel agent and the destination country before travelling. The Embassy is committed to publish the latest information on a regular basis but cannot assume any liability.
CORONA VIRUS TRAVEL
Please click here to find out more about who can enter Switzerland. To see what rules apply to your own particular situation when entering Switzerland, consult the online Travelcheck.
As a further precaution, travelers are kindly requested to respect the local directions for international travels to and from South Africa and to contact their airline directly in order to establish of any special travel regulations they may require additionally - such as proof of a negative Covid-19 test.
If you are not travelling directly to Switzerland, you must contact the authority of the country of transit to find out what are the current transit regulations in place.
Please also be informed that it is not the FDFA's responsibility to issue confirmations for medical certificates or translations of Covid-19 test results, medical or vaccination certificates.
Recommendations to Swiss citizens:
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared the current coronavirus outbreak to be a pandemic. There is risk of infection in all regions of the world.
If you are a Swiss citizen and currently travelling abroad, please make sure you download the EDA Travel Admin App and register or update your travel plans and contact details. By doing so, you ensure that you can be contacted by the relevant Swiss representation if necessary. More information can be found on the following website of the FDFA.
Recommended links: COVID FAQ
Information for the Swiss abroad regarding Covid-19 vaccine
Dear Swiss Compatriots
Please be informed that the import of vaccines is governed by the legal framework of the respective host country. A vaccine must be approved by the health authorities of the host country and can only then be administered to the population through the designated - officially approved - distribution channels (doctors, hospitals, laboratories etc.). It is therefore not possible at present in South Africa to order a vaccine from Switzerland and then distribute it through the Embassy or Consulate General to the Swiss residents in South Africa.
Can Swiss nationals who live abroad be vaccinated in Switzerland? Who covers the costs?
Swiss nationals abroad who have mandatory basic health insurance in Switzerland can be vaccinated in Switzerland in accordance with the vaccination recommendations. You will find more information on registering from the relevant cantonal offices, your health insurance provider and/or General Practitioner (doctor) in Switzerland.
Swiss nationals abroad who do not have mandatory basic health insurance in Switzerland should have the vaccination at their place of residence in accordance with their host country's rules. Please contat your local health insurance provider and/or General Practitioner (doctor) to find out more about the vaccination policiy.
More information on COVID-19 vaccination can be found on the FOPH webpages: Coronavirus: Vaccination, Protect yourself and others: Vaccination & FAQ
Other interesting links are: Swiss Community OSA
Important information for Swiss nationals living abroad
In order for us to provide you with the latest information from Switzerland at all times, please always inform us of all address changes (including e-mail addresses) through the online desk or by sending an email to southernafrica@eda.admin.ch.
The "SWI plus" app is now also available for English-speaking Swiss abroad as well as to interested parties, free of charge for downloading from the app stores. The focus is on a daily briefing for the Swiss living abroad with the news of the day especially relevant to them. The focus is on a daily briefing for the Fifth Switzerland with the most relevant news of the day in a compact daily format.
For more information, please visit Swissinfo
SWI plus for Android
SWI plus for iOS
Contact the responsible Swiss representation for identity papers, civil status, registration and deregistration, matters of civil status, etc...
Local and international news and events related to the country
The Swiss portal
Living and working in Switzerland
Advice for Swiss Abroad
Telephone hours for Consular matters (no visa inquires)
Telephone hours for Visa matters
Telephone hours for the main number
Opening hours for Swiss citizens (For passport applications and marriage preparation by appointment only)
Migration officers, lawyers, translators and medical services