Schengen Rules for an Australian

Kanchie · #1 10.08.2009, 18:05

Hi everyone,
Hope someone can help me with my 2 questions and hopefully I'm not repeating a thread which covers my issue already.

Question 1.
I'm an Australian passport holder and arrived in Switzerland on 3rd July. Prior to Switzerland becoming part of the Schengen Agreement, my understanding is that I could stay in Switzerland for 3 months then get out for minimum of a month and then can return for a further 3 months. Does this rule still apply to an Australian? Or has this rule changed since CH has become part of Schengen?

Question 2.
My plan is to leave CH on 29th September and will be spending 2 weeks in Africa and 2.5 weeks in the UK, returning back to CH on 30th October - this is to complete the compulsory 1 month out of CH rule.
With my flights between Africa and UK, i'm planning to transit through Zurich airport - Does anyone know by transiting through ZRH if that actually means that I have entered CH and if my passport will be stamped?

Thanks in advance for your assistance.

Kanch

NoniJuize · #2 11.08.2009, 18:26

Hey there Kanchie,

I am in a similar situation. I spent 90 days of my tourist visa in CH and left for Singapore recently in early August. While I was there I scoured websites after websites, inquired a few of my fellow Singaporeans who have been here for a while now and all mention to me the 90 days in a 6 mth period rule. My fiance also called one of he cantons and they told him something similar.
But one day day I emailed the Swiss embassy back home and they said one month is enough before my next visit to CH. Today I called them and they told me the same thing but I am somehow not so convinced.

Perhaps you can consult your swiss embassy back home or the canton office where you are living and let us know of the outcome.

Jim2007 · #3 11.08.2009, 20:23

	Quote:	Kanchie
	Hi everyone, Hope someone can help me with my 2 questions and hopefully I'm not repeating a thread which covers my issue already. Question 1. I'm an Australian passport holder and arrived in Switzerland on 3rd July. Prior to Switzerland becoming part of the Schengen Agreement, my understanding is that I could stay in Switzerland for 3 months then get out for minimum of a month and then can return for a further 3 months. Does this rule still apply to an Australian? Or has this rule changed since CH has become part of Schengen? Question 2. My plan is to leave CH on 29th September and will be spending 2 weeks in Africa and 2.5 weeks in the UK, returning back to CH on 30th October - this is to complete the compulsory 1 month out of CH rule. With my flights between Africa and UK, i'm planning to transit through Zurich airport - Does anyone know by transiting through ZRH if that actually means that I have entered CH and if my passport will be stamped? Thanks in advance for your assistance. Kanch

Seems like bad news I'm afraid, I found this on the Swiss government site:

"f you are travelling on a visitor’s visa, you may stay in Switzerland for up to 90 days within a period of six continuous months. After this, you must leave the Schengen area and reapply."

On the same page there is a link which says you do not need a transit visa for Zurich airport provided you do not leave the transit area and continue your trip within 48 hours.

As I think you already know, the UK/Ireland are not part of the Schengen area so perhaps you could reply there, however since it is within 6 months I've no idea of what the chances are....

Good luck with that,

Jim