Switzerland’s State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has ordered all Swiss embassies and consulates to cease granting multi-entry Schengen “C” visas to the vast majority of Russian nationals with immediate effect. The instruction follows a European Commission decision, published on 7 November, to tighten travel restrictions on Russia in response to Moscow’s continued war in Ukraine. Because Switzerland applies Schengen rules as an associated state, Bern is obliged to mirror Brussels’ move without a transition period.
Under the new regime, Russian travellers will have to submit a fresh visa application for every trip and will receive a single-entry permit valid for the dates specified on the form. Only a narrow cohort—spouses, dependent children and parents of Swiss or EU citizens resident in the Schengen area, plus Russians who already hold a valid EU or Swiss residence permit—remain eligible for a one-year multi-entry visa, subject to proof that they used three Schengen visas during the past 24 months. All other categories, including frequent business travellers, must adjust to single-use documents.
![Switzerland Stops Issuing Multi-Entry Schengen Visas to Most Russian Citizens]()
The change has immediate operational implications for multinational companies managing Russian assignees or executives who regularly transit through Zurich or Geneva. HR and travel-management teams will need to budget additional lead time—SEM recommends 15–20 calendar days—and roughly CHF 90 per application. Crown World Mobility warns that companies should audit existing travel-approval workflows to ensure that “single-trip” has become the default assumption and to avoid last-minute itinerary changes that could trigger non-compliance.
Swiss business chambers have expressed concern that the tighter cycle may discourage Russian participation in legitimate sectors such as pharmaceuticals, precision machinery and specialty chemicals. Compliance advisers, however, argue the move reduces reputational risk for Swiss firms by making it harder for sanctioned individuals to enter Schengen territory, and it aligns Switzerland more closely with EU sanctions policy.
Holders of multi-entry visas issued before 7 November may continue to use them until expiry, but any renewal will be limited to single entry. SEM has indicated that the policy will be reviewed quarterly together with Brussels, leaving the door open for further exemptions—or additional restrictions—depending on geopolitical developments.
Under the new regime, Russian travellers will have to submit a fresh visa application for every trip and will receive a single-entry permit valid for the dates specified on the form. Only a narrow cohort—spouses, dependent children and parents of Swiss or EU citizens resident in the Schengen area, plus Russians who already hold a valid EU or Swiss residence permit—remain eligible for a one-year multi-entry visa, subject to proof that they used three Schengen visas during the past 24 months. All other categories, including frequent business travellers, must adjust to single-use documents.
The change has immediate operational implications for multinational companies managing Russian assignees or executives who regularly transit through Zurich or Geneva. HR and travel-management teams will need to budget additional lead time—SEM recommends 15–20 calendar days—and roughly CHF 90 per application. Crown World Mobility warns that companies should audit existing travel-approval workflows to ensure that “single-trip” has become the default assumption and to avoid last-minute itinerary changes that could trigger non-compliance.
Swiss business chambers have expressed concern that the tighter cycle may discourage Russian participation in legitimate sectors such as pharmaceuticals, precision machinery and specialty chemicals. Compliance advisers, however, argue the move reduces reputational risk for Swiss firms by making it harder for sanctioned individuals to enter Schengen territory, and it aligns Switzerland more closely with EU sanctions policy.
Holders of multi-entry visas issued before 7 November may continue to use them until expiry, but any renewal will be limited to single entry. SEM has indicated that the policy will be reviewed quarterly together with Brussels, leaving the door open for further exemptions—or additional restrictions—depending on geopolitical developments.
