Hi all....I'm new to this and really hope that someone can PLEASE help me.
I am South African and have a Swiss Passport. Almost 3 years ago I got married to a South African (where we live) and I want to know now what happens as far as going to Switzerland on a holiday.
Does my husband need a VISA or how does it work??
And, where all am I able to go with my Passport that I won't need a VISA etc???

Thanks for any help!!!
Nicole

Hi

I am also a Swiss in South African married to a South African and we are relocating to Switzerland in November. Your husband does not need a Visa to go to Switzerland on holiday but if you relocate he will need to apply for a B Permit. Not sure of where else you can travel without a visa but I would assume the EU?

Tanya

Have you seen this thread ? It's got a lot of info which may help.

Why would you need a visa to VISIT the country? A passport should suffice.
If you want to stay for longer than 3 months, then maybe so.

Thanks SO much....I will check it out Much appreciated!

Thanks so much for your help. MUCH appreciated

Thanks for your help Tanya.
What is a B permit?? I really don't know much about this sort of thing.
Wow! So you're moving to Switzerland? That's awesome.
The language barrier puts me off 'coz I can't speak the Swiss-German.
My mother was Swiss.

I was just worried that maybe 'coz I have the Swiss Passport and my husband only has a South African passport that he might need a visa or something of the sort to go there.
Thanks

Hi Nicole,

I am not an expert but I am most certain that entry into the country is regulated according to the passport(s) owned by the persons in question, not according to their relations with other passport holders. So in your case I would assume:

You have a Swiss passport -> You can enter Switzerland freely.
Your husband has South African passport -> Visa regulations for SA passport holders will apply (if there is any)

On the other hand being married to a swiss national should make it easier to get a visa (or a permit, should you wish to do that) and the Swiss Embassy in your country should be able to provide you this information.

Lot's of countries require tourist visas for certain passport holders. It's not such an absurd question.

A sample of passport holders who can enter Switzerland on holiday with out a tourist visa:

Visas may not be required of citizens of the following countries, for stays up to 90 days:
(a) nationals of EU countries, Australia, Canada, Japan and US;
(b) nationals of countries in South and Central America (except nationals of Belize, Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru who do need a visa);
(c) nationals of Caribbean island states (except nationals of Cuba, Dominican Republic and Haiti who do need a visa);
(d) nationals of Andorra, Brunei, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, Fiji, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Kiribati, Korea (Rep. Of), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, San Marino, Singapore, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Tuvalu and Vatican City;
(e) nationals of Bosnia-Herzegovina, Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey and Serbia & Montenegro provided they are resident in Canada, Iceland, Norway, USA or EU countries.

from here

South_African_passport
looks like Saffas can get into the country for three months without a visa.

http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...zaf/visch.html

and to support Chem:
http://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/en/home/...ef_visinf.html
Ugandans would need a visa.

Whoops. I was editing while you were quoting.

And furthermore, for the surrounding (Schengen) countries (from the EU Schengen site):

3.1.1 Persons enjoying the Community right of free movement are authorised to cross the border of a Member State on the basis of the following documents, as a general rule:

• EU, EEA, CH citizens: identity card or passport;
• members of the family of EU, EEA, CH citizens who are nationals of a third country passport. They may also be required to have an entry visa, if they are nationals of a third country subject to the visa obligation, unless they are in possession of a valid residence permit or card, issued by a Member State (or by EEA countries or CH).

So, unless the family member has a Swiss residency card, then the visa rules apply...

See http://europa.eu/scadplus/leg/en/lvb/l14007b.htm for a list of countries that require a Schengen visa.

It looks like South Africans REQUIRE a visa to travel over the Swiss border.

I guess, I stand corrected. Although now I've seen sites saying both yes they do and no they don't. How confusing.

My fault for not being clear.

A RSA passport holder can enter Switzerland without a visa, but cannot cross a border to a Schengen country (Germany, France, Italy, etc) without a visa or a Swiss residency card.