U.S. Green Card Holders:
No visa is required for foreigners who have a valid U.S. green card (Permanent Resident Card, form I-551) and a valid national passport for tourism, visits, business or medical treatment for a stay up to 90 days. The passport must be valid at least 3 months after leaving Swiss territory.
Please note that the passport stamp "processed for I-551" is not considered a green card and that general visa requirements would apply in that case. The same rule also applies for the "Notice of Action" (Form I-751) and the "Authorization for Parole" (Form I-512).
Visa requirements for Refugees holding a blue Refugee Travel Document or a new green BCIS-issued "Refugee Travel Document" (Form I-571):
Green Card Holders do not require a visa.
A visa will be required in the following cases:
* work, (a planned stay of more than 8 days)
* study, visit, tourism (a planned stay of more than 3 months)
Please note: Switzerland does not accept and recognize the white "Permit to Reenter the United States" or the new green BCIS-issued "Permit to Reenter" (Form I-327). If you hold this document, you will need a visa for Switzerland in all cases.
Special visa regulations exist for the following countries:
Afghanistan, Burundi, Eritrea, Iraq, Liberia, Myanmar, Rwanda, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Sudan, Zimbabwe.
Visa applications must be submitted at least 3 - 4 weeks before departure.