Apply for a return visa or visa extension

Only one trip of up to 30 days per year is possible.

Make an appointment

To obtain a travel document or a return visa, you must first make an appointment via the contact form by selecting: "Documents d'identité, de voyage et visa", then: "Prendre un rendez-vous pour un visa de retour - permis F ou S".

Showing up at the counter

The appointment is sent by mail.

The person concerned must come in person to the Protection, Asylum and Return Service desks with the following documents:

• valid national passport (unless you are a Somali national or if your asylum procedure is not closed or if it is at the State Secretariat for Migration - SEM). If it is not possible to obtain a valid national passport, a certificate from your consular authorities stating that it does not issue national passports.
• 1 passport-sized photo
• 1 letter indicating the reasons, destination and dates of the trip
• any other document justifying the trip (written confirmation from the organiser in case of a sporting or cultural event, original medical certificate specifying the diagnosis as well as the prognosis, original death certificate, etc.). Where applicable, these documents must be translated into a national language or into English
• CHF 25.- in cash per person.

Persons holding an F permit who wish to take a holiday or family visit must bring the following additional documents:

• certificate from the prosecution office, dated less than 3 months
• certificate of assistance from the Hospice général, dated less than 3 months
• in the case of financial assistance from social assistance:
  • if the person is working, a copy of the employment contract and the last salary slip
  • copies of language course attestations (evidence of courses and language level taken)
  • proof of any volunteer or association activities
  • possible evidence of integration

Follow-up of the request

Your request will be forwarded to the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), which is responsible for the matter and will issue a decision.

In the event of a positive decision, the SEM will issue the travel document or return visa upon reception of payment of the federal fee and send them to your home.

If your biometric data is required, you will need to request an appointment via our contact form.

For a travel document, select: "Documents d'identité, de voyage et visa", then: "Demander un passeport pour étrangers" and : "Prendre un rendez-vous biométrique pour un titre de voyage"

For a return visa, select: "Documents d'identité, de voyage et visa", then: "Demander un visa"

During this appointment, you will need to bring the SEM mail and your permit.

In the event of a negative decision, the SEM decision will be communicated to you in writing.