Last reviewed: May 2026
TL;DR- TLScontact handles Swiss Schengen visa applications for UK residents on behalf of the Embassy of Switzerland in London.
- Switzerland is part of the Schengen area, so UK passport holders do not need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
- Work permits and long-stay visas are required for stays over 90 days. Canton-level employment approval is needed before submission.
- UK centre is in London. Verify the address at uk.tlscontact.com before travelling.
- TLScontact does not decide visas. The Swiss Embassy decides, with cantonal authorities approving work and study cases.
Address and Contact Details
TLScontact runs the Swiss visa application centre in the UK on behalf of the Embassy of Switzerland in the United Kingdom. The centre is based in London and may share premises with other TLScontact country desks.
To find the current address, open uk.tlscontact.com and select Switzerland. The portal lists the precise address, postcode, opening hours and contact details.
Verify the current TLScontact Switzerland centre address before travelling. The Swiss Embassy in London also publishes visa information at eda.admin.ch/london.
Countries and Visa Types Handled
TLScontact Switzerland processes the full range of Swiss visa categories for UK residents, including:
- Schengen short-stay visa (Type C) for tourism, business or visits up to 90 days, for nationalities not visa-exempt.
- National long-stay visa (Type D) for stays over 90 days.
- Work permit visa (B permit for long-term work or L permit for short-term work, depending on the canton).
- Family reunion visa for spouses and minor children of Swiss residents.
- Student visa.
- Visa for self-employed activity.
- Researcher visa.
UK passport holders do not need a visa for visits to Switzerland of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Working, studying or living long-term requires a long-stay visa via TLScontact and cantonal authorisation.
How to Book an Appointment
- For long-stay categories, your sponsor (employer, university, family member) initiates the application with the cantonal migration office in Switzerland, which then approves the file with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM).
- Once SEM approves, you receive notification to apply for the entry visa at TLScontact in the UK.
- Open uk.tlscontact.com and create an account.
- Pay the TLScontact service fee online.
- Book a date and time at the London centre.
- For Schengen short-stay applications, complete the form linked from the TLScontact portal and book directly.
- Print the appointment letter with barcode.
What to Bring to Your Appointment
- Printed TLScontact appointment letter with barcode.
- Signed visa application form.
- Current passport with at least three months validity beyond intended departure from Schengen and at least two blank pages.
- Old passports if requested.
- Passport-style photographs to Schengen specification (35mm x 45mm, biometric).
- Proof of UK residency.
- Schengen travel insurance with at least 30,000 euros medical cover for short-stay visas.
- For work or family reunion long-stay, the cantonal authorisation letter or SEM approval reference.
- Supporting documents per category: employment contract, university acceptance letter, marriage and birth certificates, accommodation evidence in Switzerland.
Processing Times and Fees
Schengen visa fee is 90 euros for adults and 45 euros for children 6 to 11 (under 6 free). National D long-stay visa fee is typically 88 Swiss francs. TLScontact service fee in the UK is in addition.
Processing time for a Schengen visa is normally 15 calendar days. Long-stay work and family visas can take 8 to 12 weeks because the file is reviewed by both the canton and SEM before the visa is issued.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is Switzerland part of the Schengen area?
Yes. Switzerland is part of the Schengen area for short-stay visa purposes, even though it is not in the European Union.
Do UK passport holders need a visa to visit Switzerland?
No, for stays up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Longer stays, work and study require a visa via TLScontact.
What is a cantonal authorisation?
Work and long-stay residence in Switzerland is regulated at canton level. The canton's migration office decides the work permit category (B or L) and submits the file to the federal SEM for final approval.
Are work permit quotas applied to UK nationals?
Switzerland applies annual quotas for non-EU work permits, which includes UK nationals after Brexit. Quotas are split across cantons.
Can my family come with me on a Swiss work permit?
Yes. Spouses and minor children can apply for family reunion linked to the main work permit holder, subject to the holder's permit type and accommodation requirements.
How We Verified This
We cross-referenced uk.tlscontact.com, the Swiss Embassy in London, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) website and gov.uk foreign travel advice for Switzerland. Visa fees and quota rules change annually, so we have linked to the official portals for live information.
