Hi!

I have read that Switzerland will be joining the Schengen area later this year. Does that mean that if I wanted to visit Switzerland next year (around Feb), I would need a Schengen visa? (I currently have a Mauritian passport)

Thanks for your help!

Sorry I should add that I currently live in the UK and am a student so I currently don't need a visa for entering Switzerland.

Yes that is correct, that is if all things come together by that time. However with your status as a student in UK, you may very well be able to travel to CH without a visa (entry clearence). That however will depend on what type/kind of UK visa you currently hold.

Thanks BoZz! I have a UK entry clearance, multiple entries, that is valid till 2010. Do you mean that even if Switzerland joins the Schengen area, they will continue to operate by their own rules in terms of visa exemptions?