ThailandSwitzerland
Thai passport · policy checked 17 Jul 2026
Visa required
Apply before you travel.
90
days
on a tourist visa
90
EUR · visa fee
about $103
15-60
days
processing time
VFS
visa application centre
How Thai citizens apply for a Switzerland visa
- Lodge your application at a VFS Global visa application centre, with the completed form and required documents. Apply here ↗
No advance visa with these documents
Switzerland admits Thai citizens without a pre-arranged visa on a valid document, issued by a Schengen member state AND a recognized valid travel document are exempt from Swiss visa requirements:
Visa-free · up to 90 days
Switzerland visa cost for Thai citizens
EUR 90
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - adult
Lodged through VFS Global, whose service fee applies on top and varies by centre.
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - adult
Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
EUR 90
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - child 6-11 years
Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
EUR 45
Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) - child under 6
Up to 90 days within a 180-day period
Free
Switzerland visa types for Thai citizens
TouristTouristdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Tourist Visa
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Tourist Visa - For the exclusive use of Incentives
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Tourist Visa - For the exclusive use of travel agencies
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr Touristen
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr Touristen - zum ausschliesslichen Gebrauch von Incentives
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr Touristen - zum ausschliesslichen Gebrauch von Reiseagenturen)
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa touristique Schengen
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa touristique Schengen - À l'usage exclusif des incitations
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa touristique Schengen - À l'usage exclusif des agences de voyage
Please refer to the following document in order to obtain further information on required documents and options to have these completed directly at the visa application centre.
Documents Checklist (English) - COMPLETING DOCUMENTS AT THE CENTRE
Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, Click here (visa.vfsglobal.com ↗)
VisitorTouristdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Visitor Visa
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr Besucher
Liste de vérification des documents (Français) - Visa de visiteur Schengen
Please refer to the following document in order to obtain further information on required documents and options to have these completed directly at the visa application centre.
Documents Checklist (English) - COMPLETING DOCUMENTS AT THE CENTRE
Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, Click here (visa.vfsglobal.com ↗)
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Category C) - Tourism/VisitTourist
90 daysmultiple entry15-60d processingvalid 180donline
Covers tourism, visiting family or friends, and cultural or sports events in Switzerland and the Schengen Area for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Fee is EUR 90 for adults, EUR 45 for children aged 6-12; free for EU/EFTA family members. Multiple-entry visas valid up to 5 years may be issued to frequent compliant travelers. Apply at swiss-visa.ch or directly at a Swiss representation. Valid across all Schengen member states.
Official page ↗BusinessBusinessdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Business Visa
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum für geschäftliche Zwecke
Liste de vérification des documents (Français) - Visa Schengen pour affaires
Please refer to the following document in order to obtain further information on required documents and options to have these completed directly at the visa application centre.
Documents Checklist (English) - COMPLETING DOCUMENTS AT THE CENTRE
Travel medical insurance is mandatory for all Schengen countries. If you have not purchased, Click here (visa.vfsglobal.com ↗)
Business Fast Track - BFT (for registered members only)Businessdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Business Fast Track Visa (BFT)
Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Category C) - BusinessBusiness
90 daysmultiple entry15-60d processingvalid 180donline
Permits short-term business activities such as meetings, conferences, and negotiations in Switzerland for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Does not authorize gainful employment.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Same Category C fee structure as tourist visa (EUR 90 adults). Gainful employment requires an additional work permit. Business activities in sectors such as construction, catering, cleaning, security require a separate work authorization even for short stays.
Official page ↗Airport Transit VisaTransit
single entry15-30d processingonline
Required for certain nationalities transiting through a Swiss international airport without entering Schengen territory, remaining in the international transit zone.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Fee EUR 90 (standard Schengen visa fee). Required only for nationalities listed on the common Schengen Airport Transit Visa list. Travelers with a valid Schengen visa, residence permit, or valid visa from specific countries (USA, Canada, Japan, etc.) may be exempt.
Official page ↗Schengen Short-Stay Visa (Category C) - Medical TreatmentMedical
90 dayssingle entry15-60d processingvalid 180donline
Permits travel to Switzerland to receive medical treatment at a Swiss clinic or hospital for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Standard Schengen Category C visa issued for the purpose of medical treatment. Same fee structure as other C visas (EUR 90 adults, EUR 45 children aged 6-12). Applicants typically must present confirmation from the Swiss medical institution, proof of advance payment or sufficient funds to cover treatment and stay, and travel medical insurance. Treatment expected to exceed 90 days requires a national Category D visa authorised by the cantonal migration authority.
Official page ↗Family Reunion (after marriage in Thailand)Familydocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - National Visa for family reunion after marriage in Thailand (schweiz-thailand.eda.admin.ch ↗)
Foreign children of the spouse of a Swiss or EU/EEA citizenFamilydocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Visa for foreign children of the spouse of a Swiss or EU/EEA citizen
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum für ausländische Kinder von Ehegatten von Schweizer oder EU/EWR Bürgern Bürgern Bürgern
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa Schengen pour enfants étrangers d’une conjointe d’un citoyen suisse ou d’un citoyen l'UE/EEE
Spouse of a Swiss or EU/EEA citizenFamilydocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Visa for spouse and registered partner of a Swiss citizen
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Visa for spouse and registered partner of an EU/EEA citizen
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr einen Ehepartner und registrierten Partner eines Schweizer StaatsbĂĽrgers
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr einen Ehepartner und registrierten Partner eines EU/EWR StaatsbĂĽrgers
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa Schengen pour conjoint et partenaire enregistré de citoyen suisse
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa Schengen pour conjoint et partenaire enregistré de citoyen l'UE/EEE
National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - Family ReunificationFamily
multiple entry30-180d processingvalid 365d
Issued to non-EU/EFTA family members joining a Swiss citizen or lawful resident in Switzerland for stays exceeding 90 days.
The visa application centre publishes no document checklist for this type.
Cantonal authorities process family reunification permits. Sponsor must demonstrate sufficient financial means and adequate housing. Processing time is one to several months. Family members of EU/EFTA citizens benefit from faster processing under free movement rules; visa issued free of charge to EU/EFTA family members.
Official page ↗National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - Education/Vocational TrainingStudent
multiple entry30-120d processingvalid 365d
Issued to non-EU/EFTA nationals accepted for study or vocational training programs in Switzerland for stays exceeding 90 days.
Requires enrollment confirmation from a Swiss educational institution recognized by cantonal authorities. Canton processes application; SEM approves. Limited part-time work may be permitted alongside studies. Processing takes one to several months depending on canton.
Official page ↗Au Pair Permit (Short-Term Residence Permit L)Work
365 daysmultiple entry42-56d processingvalid 365d
Allows young non-EU/EFTA nationals aged 18-25 to live with a Swiss host family for up to one year to learn a national language while helping with light housework and childcare in exchange for board, lodging and pocket money.
Legal basis Art. 30 para. 1(j) FNIA and Art. 48 ASEO. Third-country au pairs (aged 18-25) may only be placed through an agency recognised and authorised by SECO, and placements are subject to cantonal quotas - several cantons issue none. Maximum stay 12 months, non-renewable. The host family's household language must differ from the au pair's mother tongue and they may not share nationality or be related. Issued as a short-term Category L residence permit. EU/EFTA au pairs are admitted more freely (ages 17-30, up to two years).
Official page ↗Cross-Border Commuter Permit (Permit G)Work
multiple entryvalid 365d
Issued to foreign nationals resident in a neighbouring country's border zone who are gainfully employed within the adjacent Swiss border zone, commuting rather than taking up residence in Switzerland.
Permit G for non-EU/EFTA nationals: the applicant must already hold a permanent residence permit in a neighbouring country (Germany, France, Italy, Austria, Liechtenstein), have lived in its border zone for at least six months, and the employment must satisfy labour-market conditions. Usually valid for one year and limited to the border zone of the issuing canton; the holder must return to their main residence abroad at least once a week. EU/EFTA cross-border commuters instead receive a G EU/EFTA permit valid up to five years without the border-zone residence restriction.
Official page ↗National Long-Stay Visa (Category D) - EmploymentWork
multiple entry30-180d processingvalid 365d
Issued to non-EU/EFTA nationals approved for gainful employment in Switzerland, covering stays exceeding 90 days. Accompanies a B permit (residence permit) issued by cantonal authorities.
Strictly restricted to managers, specialists, and highly qualified workers (university degree + experience). Employer must prove no suitable Swiss or EU/EFTA candidate available. Annual federal quotas apply. Canton processes the permit application; SEM approves. Fee EUR 90 base plus up to 50% surcharge for urgent processing. EU/EFTA nationals are not subject to these restrictions under the Agreement on Free Movement of Persons.
Official page ↗Trainee / Young Professional Exchange Permit (Permit L)Work
548 daysmultiple entryvalid 548d
Allows young professionals who have completed at least a bachelor's degree or a two-year apprenticeship to gain professional and language experience in Switzerland by working in their trained profession or field of study, under bilateral trainee-exchange ('young professionals') agreements between Switzerland and partner countries.
Distinct from the general Working Holiday Permit already in this catalog: applicants must already have a concrete job offer in their trained profession/field of study (not open-ended travel-and-casual-work), part-time work and self-employment are prohibited, and pay must match local/industry rates. Bilateral agreements currently cover nationals of Argentina, Australia, Canada, Chile, Indonesia, Japan, Monaco, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, San Marino, South Africa, Tunisia, Ukraine and the USA. Maximum stay 18 months (non-renewable). Application is submitted to the competent authority in the applicant's home country (process is not conducted online); once the trainee placement is approved, the applicant applies for an entry visa at the Swiss representation and is issued a short-term residence permit (Permit L). Official SEM page does not publish a fee or processing-time figure - left null pending further sourcing.
Official page ↗National Visa for marriage in SwitzerlandOtherdocuments
Click here (schweiz-thailand.eda.admin.ch ↗) for more information
Studies (more than 90 days)Otherdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - National Student Visa (schweiz-thailand.eda.admin.ch ↗)
Studies (up to 90 days)Otherdocuments
Documents Checklist (English) - Schengen Student Visa
Dokumentencheckliste (Deutsch) - Schengenvisum fĂĽr ein Studium
Liste de documents (Français) - Visa Schengen pour études
Please refer to the following document in order to obtain further information on required documents and options to have these completed directly at the visa application centre.
Documents Checklist (English) - COMPLETING DOCUMENTS AT THE CENTRE
Diplomatic/Official/Service Passport Visa ExemptionDiplomatic
90 daysmultiple entry
Holders of diplomatic, official, service, or special passports from countries with bilateral visa exemption agreements with Switzerland may enter and stay without a visa for up to 90 days.
Switzerland has bilateral visa exemption agreements with 50+ countries for diplomatic/service/official passport holders. Countries include Algeria, Angola, Armenia, Benin, Bhutan, Brazil, Cameroon, Chile, China, Colombia, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Grenada, Guyana, India, Indonesia, Iran (official only), Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Mauritius, Mexico, Moldova, Mongolia, Morocco, Namibia, North Macedonia, Oman, Palau, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent, South Africa, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, Tunisia, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, UAE, Venezuela, Vietnam. Exact passport types vary by agreement.
Official page ↗Residence Permit for Persons Not in Gainful Employment (Retirees) - Category BRetirement
multiple entry60-180d processing
Allows non-EU/EFTA nationals aged 55 or over who are no longer working to establish residence in Switzerland if they are financially self-sufficient and have close ties to the country.
Legal basis Art. 28 Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA). Non-EU/EFTA applicants must be at least 55, no longer gainfully employed anywhere, financially independent (no recourse to social welfare), hold adequate accident and health insurance, and demonstrate special personal ties to Switzerland. Grant is discretionary, assessed first by the canton then federally. Requires a national Category D entry visa and results in a cantonal B residence permit. Distinct from the expenditure-based (lump-sum) taxation route. EU/EFTA nationals obtain an equivalent non-working B permit under the free movement agreement without the age condition.
Official page ↗Residence Permit via Expenditure-Based Taxation (Lump-Sum Tax - B Permit)Investment
multiple entry60-180d processingvalid 1825d
Allows foreign nationals who do not engage in gainful employment in Switzerland to establish residence based on their cost of living, with tax calculated as a lump sum rather than on worldwide income.
Available only to foreign nationals establishing Swiss domicile for the first time (or after 10+ years abroad) who do not engage in gainful employment in Switzerland. Available in 21 of 26 cantons (not in Zurich, Basel-Stadt, Basel-Landschaft, Schaffhausen, Appenzell Ausserrhoden). Federal minimum tax base is CHF 434,700; cantonal minimums vary. Results in a standard B permit (5-year renewable). After 10 years total residence and C permit, may apply for ordinary naturalization.
Official page ↗Return VisaOther
90 dayssingle entry1-15d processingvalid 30d
Issued to holders of expired Swiss residence permits who need to re-enter Switzerland after travel abroad.
Issued to former residence permit holders who left Switzerland and whose permit has since expired but who need to return (e.g. to finalize affairs). Not a standard immigration visa category. Standard Schengen fee (EUR 90) typically applies.
Official page ↗Working Holiday Permit / Youth Mobility VisaWorking holiday
365 daysmultiple entry30-90d processingvalid 365d
Allows young nationals from partner countries to live and work in Switzerland temporarily, combining travel with work experience.
Switzerland maintains bilateral youth mobility / working holiday agreements with a limited number of countries including Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Japan, South Korea, and others. Age limits (typically 18-30 or 18-35), once-per-lifetime, and additional conditions apply and vary by agreement. Annual quotas may apply. Applications processed via Swiss embassies/consulates in the applicant's country.
Official page ↗via VFS Global ↗Switzerland visa policy, fees & entry rules in full →
Switzerland visa for Thai citizens - FAQ
Do Thai citizens need a visa for Switzerland?
Yes - Thai citizens must apply for a visa in advance at a Switzerland embassy, consulate, or official visa portal before travelling.
What documents do Thai citizens need for Switzerland?
A valid passport plus the Switzerland document checklist for your visa type - Earth Visa lists the full required documents per visa category from the official visa application centre.
Check entry with visas you already hold →What “visa required” means →