Switzerland joins the European free travel zone ('Schengen') Go back »

2008-12-09 | All chapters

Switzerland joins the European free travel zone ('Schengen')

Starting 12 December 2008, Switzerland will join the European border-free travel zone, or 'Schengen'. For Chinese passport holders this development means concretely that Switzerland will start issuing Schengen visas on 15 December 2008 for a maximum stay of three months. This Swiss Schengen visa will also be valid to enter the territory of all other Schengen member states. One Schengen visa will now enable travel to 25 European countries. This new development will facilitate travel in Europe for Chinese passport holders.

On 27th November 2008, the Council of the European Union (EU) officially approved the entry of Switzerland into the Schengen area. This concludes a long process which started in 2002 with the launch of a second round of bilateral negotiations between Switzerland and the EU on increased cooperation, notably in the field of migration, visas and internal security. In the framework of Schengen cooperation, travel within the EU has been made easier as systematic identity controls at the common borders between the Schengen states (internal borders) are cancelled, while controls are intensified at Schengen external borders. At the same time a number of measures also improve international justice and police cooperation in the fight against crime.

For Chinese passport holders, this development means concretely that Switzerland will start issuing Schengen visas on 15th December 2008 for maximum stay of three months in the Schengen area. This Swiss Schengen visa will also be valid to enter the territory of all other Schengen member states. Swiss official representations in China will adopt Schengen procedures when issuing visas. Switzerland will apply the European community rules on issuing visas. Conversely, Chinese passport holders with a valid Schengen visa issued by another Schengen member state will be able to enter Swiss territory without an additional Swiss visa.

As a non-European Union (EU) member situated in the heart of Europe and completely surrounded by Schengen member states, Switzerland's integration into the Schengen area represents a natural development and a further step in its cooperation with the European Union.

Source: http://www.delchn.ec.europa.eu/index.php?item=news_view&nid=378