Canada’s immigration ministry has introduced a temporary biometrics-waiver scheme that will run from 25 November 2025 to 20 July 2026 for foreign nationals invited by FIFA to attend the 2026 World Cup. Switzerland is one of more than twenty European countries whose athletes, coaches, officials and accredited media will benefit. (travelandtourworld.com)
Ordinarily, Swiss travellers applying for a Temporary Resident Visa must submit fingerprints and photographs at a Visa Application Centre in Zurich, Geneva or Berlin—an extra step that can add 7–10 days to processing in peak periods. Under the new policy, a FIFA invitation letter will suffice, allowing same-day e-visa issuance in many cases. The exemption applies to new applications and those already in the queue, provided the applicant otherwise meets admissibility rules.
Swiss travellers who prefer professional assistance can turn to VisaHQ, whose Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) tracks IRCC policy updates in real time and offers end-to-end visa filing support; the firm will flag when the biometrics waiver applies and can coordinate courier services for ancillary paperwork, saving teams additional back-and-forth with consulates.
![Canada Waives Biometrics for Swiss FIFA World Cup Delegates]()
Global-mobility managers for Swiss sports federations and corporate sponsors—many of whom will move large event crews—stand to save time and reduce project-management costs. Travel-risk teams should, however, note that admissibility checks for security and medical issues remain unchanged; any red-flag will still trigger secondary screening.
With World Cup matches spread across 16 North-American cities, observers view the Canadian measure as competitive positioning against the US, whose visa backlog has been criticised by national associations. Ottawa hinted the waiver could serve as a pilot for broader post-event facilitation if security metrics remain positive.
Swiss companies sending hospitality staff or brand-activators should compile invitation letters early and monitor Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) alerts for any quota caps that Ottawa might impose if volumes surge.
Ordinarily, Swiss travellers applying for a Temporary Resident Visa must submit fingerprints and photographs at a Visa Application Centre in Zurich, Geneva or Berlin—an extra step that can add 7–10 days to processing in peak periods. Under the new policy, a FIFA invitation letter will suffice, allowing same-day e-visa issuance in many cases. The exemption applies to new applications and those already in the queue, provided the applicant otherwise meets admissibility rules.
Swiss travellers who prefer professional assistance can turn to VisaHQ, whose Switzerland portal (https://www.visahq.com/switzerland/) tracks IRCC policy updates in real time and offers end-to-end visa filing support; the firm will flag when the biometrics waiver applies and can coordinate courier services for ancillary paperwork, saving teams additional back-and-forth with consulates.
Global-mobility managers for Swiss sports federations and corporate sponsors—many of whom will move large event crews—stand to save time and reduce project-management costs. Travel-risk teams should, however, note that admissibility checks for security and medical issues remain unchanged; any red-flag will still trigger secondary screening.
With World Cup matches spread across 16 North-American cities, observers view the Canadian measure as competitive positioning against the US, whose visa backlog has been criticised by national associations. Ottawa hinted the waiver could serve as a pilot for broader post-event facilitation if security metrics remain positive.
Swiss companies sending hospitality staff or brand-activators should compile invitation letters early and monitor Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) alerts for any quota caps that Ottawa might impose if volumes surge.
