Apply for a return visa or visa extension
1. Overview
Return visa
Obtaining a return visa may be necessary in the following cases:
- you meet the conditions to obtain or renew your residence or establishment authorisation in Switzerland but are temporarily not in possession of it
- you want to temporarily travel to your country of origin which requires an entry visa to Switzerland to allow you to enter Switzerland.
Visa extension
Migration authorities cannot in principle extend the Schengen visa. Under the Entry Ordinance, the person holding a short-term visa must respect the authorised dates of stay and the purpose of the stay for which the visa was granted.
If you are already present on Swiss territory and are unable to leave the Schengen area before the expiry of your visa for reasons of force majeure, humanitarian reasons or imperative personal reasons, an extension of the visa may be necessary.
Your visa extension application must be submitted ton the Cantonal Office for Population and Migration even if your visa has not been issued by the Swiss authorities.
Change or cancel your visa appointment
People who have received a visa appointment by email or text message that is not suitable for them can change or cancel it.
Travel document or return visa for permit N or F holder
If you hold an N or F permit for temporarily admitted foreign nationals, you must apply to the Cantonal Office of Population and Migration to obtain a travel document or a return visa.