Switzerland on 13 December 2025 brought its sanctions regime back into line with recently reactivated United Nations measures against Iran. The Federal Council added 22 individuals and 42 entities to the national sanctions list, imposing asset freezes and—crucially for mobility professionals—entry and transit bans.
The listings target firms and officials connected to Iran’s military-industrial complex and nuclear supply chain. Under Swiss law the travel ban prohibits the issuance of visas and also blocks onward transit through Swiss airports for connecting passengers named on the list. Geneva and Zurich immigration officers received updated watch-lists overnight.
For companies that suddenly find their travellers or shipments affected, VisaHQ’s specialist team can step in with rapid sanction checks, Swiss visa advice, and documentation logistics. Their dedicated Switzerland hub (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) collates the latest official notices and gives organisations a single point of contact for navigating the tightened entry rules.
![Switzerland Re-Imposes UN Travel Bans on Iranian Entities and Individuals]()
Cargo screening will also tighten: freight forwarders operating via Zurich’s pharma corridor must file enhanced due-diligence declarations for dual-use goods. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) warned airlines and logistics companies of substantial fines for carriage of sanctioned individuals or embargoed items.
Switzerland’s move follows the EU’s 19th sanctions package of 23 October and signals Bern’s willingness to align foreign-policy tools with Brussels after years of cautious divergence. For multinational companies the immediate task is to run updated denied-party screenings on Iranian business partners and to brief travel agents that last-minute ticket cancellations may be required.
Compliance advisers note that the restored travel bans could complicate participation of Iranian scientists in conferences at Geneva-based UN agencies, potentially requiring case-by-case humanitarian exemptions.
The listings target firms and officials connected to Iran’s military-industrial complex and nuclear supply chain. Under Swiss law the travel ban prohibits the issuance of visas and also blocks onward transit through Swiss airports for connecting passengers named on the list. Geneva and Zurich immigration officers received updated watch-lists overnight.
For companies that suddenly find their travellers or shipments affected, VisaHQ’s specialist team can step in with rapid sanction checks, Swiss visa advice, and documentation logistics. Their dedicated Switzerland hub (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) collates the latest official notices and gives organisations a single point of contact for navigating the tightened entry rules.
Cargo screening will also tighten: freight forwarders operating via Zurich’s pharma corridor must file enhanced due-diligence declarations for dual-use goods. The State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO) warned airlines and logistics companies of substantial fines for carriage of sanctioned individuals or embargoed items.
Switzerland’s move follows the EU’s 19th sanctions package of 23 October and signals Bern’s willingness to align foreign-policy tools with Brussels after years of cautious divergence. For multinational companies the immediate task is to run updated denied-party screenings on Iranian business partners and to brief travel agents that last-minute ticket cancellations may be required.
Compliance advisers note that the restored travel bans could complicate participation of Iranian scientists in conferences at Geneva-based UN agencies, potentially requiring case-by-case humanitarian exemptions.
