Living in Great Britain

The Consular Service looks after Swiss nationals residing in the United Kingdom and to some extent fulfils the functions of a municipal administrative authority in Switzerland. The links which Swiss nationals residing abroad have with Switzerland and their home cantons are governed by laws and regulations. Consular protection is also an important task. This includes assistance to Swiss nationals in various emergency situations.
The Visa Service handles all queries relating to entry into Switzerland and issues visas.

We aim to carry out these tasks, respond to your enquiries and provide the relevant services in a customer-friendly, competent and efficient manner.

We deal with the following areas in particular:

• Registration of Swiss nationals residing abroad and military service checks
• Issuing passports and ID cards
• Personal, family and inheritance matters
• Translation/certification of registry office records for entry into the family register of the home canton
• Nationality issues; processing applications for naturalisation under the simplified procedure
• Exercising political rights
• Welfare services for Swiss nationals residing abroad
• Confirmations, certifications, translations of signatures/documents where a Swiss interest exists
• Consular protection: assistance with lost passports, repatriations, support and assistance in the event of arrest, accident or other emergency
• Visa service: issuing visas, applications for residence permits in Switzerland, information of all kinds about entry, work permits, student permits and settlement permits