Switzerland: New Digital Visa Format from February 2024

Effective February 1, 2024, the visa format of short-stay Schengen visas and 'national visas’ (visa stays exceeding 90 days) will be digitalized, with such visas being provided both as a digital barcode and a paper visa sticker for both Schengen visas (type C) and national visas (type-D), whereas currently applicants are only provided a sticker. This reform is part of Switzerland adhering to the broader digitalization of the Schengen Area visa application process.