Switzerland is not a member of the European Union, but it is part of the Schengen Area. Canadian Refugee Travel Document holders who require a visa must obtain a Schengen visa to travel to Switzerland.

The visa application should be submitted to the Schengen country that is the traveller’s main destination, meaning the country where they will spend the most days. If the traveller will spend an equal number of days in two or more Schengen countries, the application should be submitted to the country of first entry.

For applicants living in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Northwest Territories or Yukon, Swiss Schengen visa applications are submitted through VFS Global Vancouver. Applicants living in Ontario, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador or Nunavut submit through VFS Global Montreal.

Switzerland also represents Germany, Austria, Liechtenstein, Slovenia, Finland and Spain for Schengen visa applications in Vancouver. In Montreal, Switzerland represents Liechtenstein and Finland. This means that, in Vancouver, applicants may submit a Schengen visa application through the Swiss visa process when Switzerland is representing one of these countries.

Canadian Refugee Travel Document holders should obtain a Schengen visa before travelling to Switzerland when Switzerland is their main destination. If another Schengen country is the main destination, the application should normally be made through that country. If the traveller will spend an equal number of days in different Schengen countries, the application should be made through the country of first entry.

Visa applications must be submitted through VFS Global. The Swiss authorities recommend applying early, up to six months before the planned journey. Visa processing generally takes 15 days, although this can be extended in individual cases. Personal appearance and fingerprint collection are generally required if fingerprints have not been recorded within the previous 59 months.

Official Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (FDFA) guidance, published June 1, 2026. The guidance provides the visa application process, VFS locations in Canada and Switzerland’s representation agreements for other Schengen countries.