Does a Swiss SEM entry authorization letter with an otherwise valid Schengen visa (suspended due to Covid) suffice for airlines to allow boarding?
A Chinese citizen in China holds an unexpired short-term Schengen visa (although essentially unusable at the moment) and wishes to travel to Switzerland for an exceptional reason. After a semi-refusal from the embassy for the exception, he has received an exceptional entry authorization from the State Secretariat for Migration in an letter, which they can confirm to suffice for the border authority. It is unclear if this will be accepted by other Schengen border authorities (e.g. Germany) for transit purpose, but I believe it is unlikely.
However, I am wondering if the passenger will be allowed by the airlines (particularly SWISS) to board a direct flight to Switzerland with the letter and the old visa.
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Can I enter Switzerland with Schengen visa?
Switzerland belongs to the Schengen Area*. If you have a visa issued by a Schengen member state, you generally do not require an additional tourist visa to enter Switzerland or any other Schengen country. Your stay must not exceed 90 days in any 180-day period.How do I get a laissez passer in Switzerland?
To apply for a Laissez-Passer: Date and sign it as applicant. Send it or have it sent by your laissez-passer contact person together with a copy of your national passport, and if contract agent a copy of your work contract, to the Laissez-Passer service within your Institution.Can I enter Switzerland with EU residence permit?
Yes, third-country nationals subject to visa requirements for the Schengen area who hold a residence permit for United Kingdom, Romania, Bulgaria, Croatia or Cyprus and whose spouse is a national of an EU or EFTA member state require a visa to enter Switzerland. They can obtain the visa free of charge.What is Type D visa for Switzerland?
The Switzerland long-stay visa is also known as a national or D-visa. The Switzerland long-stay visa is issued to third-country nationals who want to move to Switzerland to work, study or to be with family. As such, it is different from the Swiss Schengen Visa which only allows stays of up to 90 days.Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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