English Corner

For which countries do Swiss travellers need a visa?
In 2025, the Swiss passport is still one of the most powerful travel documents in the world: with visa-free access to 190 countries, it ranks fifth in the current Henley Passport Index (Travelnews reported).
The ranking clearly distinguishes between various entry requirements to better assess the freedom of travel offered by passports. 'Visa-free' means no authorization of any kind is required for entry—simply present a valid passport, and you're good to go.
For countries requiring an ETA (Electronic Travel Authority), the traditional visa process is unnecessary; instead, a quick digital registration before departure is required. Similarly, a VOA (Visa on Arrival) is straightforward, allowing travelers to apply for and receive a visa directly upon arrival at the airport, with no advance formalities needed.
It is somewhat more complicated with an e-visa, which must be applied for online and requires approval before departure. The most bureaucracy is involved with the traditional visa, which often requires a trip to the embassy.
Henley & Partners obtains exclusive data from the International Air Transport Authority (IATA) for the listing, which forms the basis for the Henley Passport Index. To ensure the accuracy of the IATA data in the face of constant changes in visa policy, the Henley & Partners research team checks each passport in the database for all listed destinations. This is the current situation for travellers with a Swiss passport:
Traditional visa required (21 countries)
Afghanistan, Algeria, Bhutan, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ivory Coast, Eritrea, Ghana, Liberia, Libya, Mali, Nauru, Niger, Nigeria, North Korea, Sudan, South Sudan, Turkmenistan, Yemen.
E-visa required (15 countries)
Azerbaijan, Benin, Cameroon, Cuba, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, Guinea, India, Papua New Guinea, Russia, Sierra Leone, Syria, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam.
Visa on arrival required (31 countries)
Egypt, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Djibouti, Guinea-Bissau, Cambodia, Cape Verde, Qatar, Comoros, Indonesia, Iran , Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Malawi, Maldives, Marshall Islands, Mauritania, Myanmar, Nepal, Palau, Samoa, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, St. Helena, Tanzania, Zimbabwe.
From April 2025: Namibia.
ETA (15 countries)
American Samoa, Australia, Guam, Israel, Canada, Kenya, New Zealand, Northern Mariana Islands, Pakistan, Puerto Rico, Seychelles, Sri Lanka, United States, United States Virgin Islands.
From April 2025: United Kingdom.
Good preparation is everything
Swiss travellers should bear in mind that visa requirements may differ depending on the purpose of the trip and the length of the stay. It is therefore advisable to find out about the requirements of the destination country in good time to avoid unnecessary delays.
Conclusion: even though a Swiss passport opens many doors, careful travel preparation is essential in countries where a visa is required. For the most up-to-date information and support, travellers can contact the respective embassies or consulates. One thing is certain: being well informed makes travelling all the more relaxing.