From 1 January 2026 Swiss citizens who have visited countries such as Iran, Syria or North Korea—or who hold dual nationality with them—lose eligibility for the popular ESTA travel authorisation and must instead apply for a full B-1/B-2 visa. The shift stems from amendments to the U.S. Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act and was highlighted in a 14 January explainer by industry portal Travel and Tour World. (travelandtourworld.com)
Under the new regime, the ESTA fee rises from USD 21 to USD 64, but the real pain point is for travellers forced into the traditional visa channel: consular and processing charges now total USD 472 per applicant. Swiss banks, pharma firms and watchmakers that routinely send staff to U.S. trade shows face higher compliance costs and longer lead-times—embassy interview slots in Bern and Geneva are already booked out six weeks ahead.
Immigration advisers caution that the criteria are broader than many assume. Even a brief transit through Havana since January 2021 or supportive social-media posts flagged by AI “sweeps” can revoke ESTA eligibility. Mobility managers are therefore urged to audit employee travel histories and social profiles before confirming U.S. meetings.
![Steep Hike in U.S. Visa Fees Hits Swiss Travellers Under New ‘Restricted-Countries’ Rules]()
For Swiss travellers navigating these new complexities, VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) offers a streamlined way to check eligibility, compile the correct documentation and book embassy appointments. The platform’s visa specialists monitor policy shifts in real time and can expedite B-1/B-2 submissions, saving both corporate mobility teams and individual tourists hours of administrative work.
Failing to secure the correct visa has serious consequences: travellers denied boarding by airlines are flagged in the U.S. Advance Passenger Information System, complicating future entries. Companies should update their travel-approval workflows to require proof of visa status at the trip-request stage and budget an extra CHF 450-500 per traveller to cover fees, courier costs and potential re-scheduling.
Swiss tour operators predict that price-sensitive leisure demand may shift toward Canada or Asian destinations with lighter entry barriers. The U.S. Embassy in Bern says it will add Saturday interview slots from February to cope with demand but recommends applying at least eight weeks before departure.
Under the new regime, the ESTA fee rises from USD 21 to USD 64, but the real pain point is for travellers forced into the traditional visa channel: consular and processing charges now total USD 472 per applicant. Swiss banks, pharma firms and watchmakers that routinely send staff to U.S. trade shows face higher compliance costs and longer lead-times—embassy interview slots in Bern and Geneva are already booked out six weeks ahead.
Immigration advisers caution that the criteria are broader than many assume. Even a brief transit through Havana since January 2021 or supportive social-media posts flagged by AI “sweeps” can revoke ESTA eligibility. Mobility managers are therefore urged to audit employee travel histories and social profiles before confirming U.S. meetings.
For Swiss travellers navigating these new complexities, VisaHQ’s Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) offers a streamlined way to check eligibility, compile the correct documentation and book embassy appointments. The platform’s visa specialists monitor policy shifts in real time and can expedite B-1/B-2 submissions, saving both corporate mobility teams and individual tourists hours of administrative work.
Failing to secure the correct visa has serious consequences: travellers denied boarding by airlines are flagged in the U.S. Advance Passenger Information System, complicating future entries. Companies should update their travel-approval workflows to require proof of visa status at the trip-request stage and budget an extra CHF 450-500 per traveller to cover fees, courier costs and potential re-scheduling.
Swiss tour operators predict that price-sensitive leisure demand may shift toward Canada or Asian destinations with lighter entry barriers. The U.S. Embassy in Bern says it will add Saturday interview slots from February to cope with demand but recommends applying at least eight weeks before departure.
