Starting April 3, Georgian citizens holding diplomatic, official, or service passports will be required to obtain a visa to enter Switzerland. The decision was adopted by the Swiss Federal Council at its meeting on April 1.
Switzerland is not a member of the European Union; however, it has aligned itself with the decision taken by Brussels on this matter.
Swiss foreign ministry says that the measure represents a further development of the Schengen acquis and will remain in force for 12 months.
The change does not apply to other Georgian citizens.
“The European Union has recently strengthened the mechanism for suspending visa-free regimes for third countries, enabling it to temporarily introduce visa requirements on new grounds. These include the deterioration of external relations with a third country due to violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms.
The European Union has decided to apply these new provisions in relation to Georgia. Based on legislative changes adopted in Georgia last year, the EU has suspended visa-free travel for Georgian diplomats and public officials for a period of 12 months.
The EU decision constitutes a further development of the Schengen acquis, which Switzerland is obliged to implement. This step entails amendments to the regulation governing entry and the issuance of visas. In addition, several provisions of the agreement between Switzerland and Georgia aimed at facilitating visa issuance have been suspended,” the statement by the Swiss foreign ministry reads.
