Swiss Consulate General in Shanghai

Chinese citizens need a visa for Switzerland, obtained before travel. Check with the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai whether visas are handled at its counter or by an appointed visa centre.

In 2025, Switzerland’s consulate general in Shanghai received 41,442 applications for short-stay Schengen visas and issued 39,999. 1,443 applications were refused, a refusal rate of 3.5%. In 2024 the rate was much the same, 4.3%. Applications fell by 23% compared with 2024 (53,881).

Over 2023–2025 the rate ranged from 2.7% (2023) to 4.3% (2024).

Switzerland issues Schengen visas at 3 locations in China; this office handled 49% of their 84,829 applications in 2025. Refusal rates elsewhere: Beijing 3.7% and Guangzhou 8.2%, which makes Shanghai the lowest of the group. Each office serves the applicants who live in its own consular district, so the rates also reflect who applies where, not only how strictly files are assessed.

Across all Schengen consulates in China, 4.0% of applications were refused in 2025; Switzerland’s rate worldwide was 12.5%. Switzerland received the 5th largest number of applications of the 27 Schengen states represented here.

Multiple-entry visas made up 77.7% of those issued. The statistics count applications, not people, and include every nationality that applies here, not only citizens of China.

For matters it cannot handle, the Swiss embassy in Beijing (1,069 km) is responsible. The Swiss consulate general in Shanghai is one of 4 missions of Switzerland in China. Consulates: Guangzhou and Chengdu. China in turn has 6 missions in Switzerland, its embassy being in Bern.

About the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai

It appears in official lists as Consulate General of Switzerland in Shanghai. The head of mission on record is Sacha Bachmann. Career consulates of this kind usually renew passports and take visa applications for their region.

Address and contact

Address: Xianxia Road 319, 200051 Shanghai. The record for the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai includes a phone number, an e-mail address, a fax number and an official website.

Swiss citizens travelling to China

Swiss citizens can visit China without a visa for up to 30 days.

When the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai is closed

The next closures of the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai for public holidays in China are New Year's Day on Friday 1 January 2027 and Chinese New Year (Spring Festival) on Saturday 6 February 2027; it may also close for Christmas Day (Weihnachten) on Friday 25 December 2026.

Before visiting the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai

Current procedures for the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai, including any appointment system, are on its official website, linked on this page.

Near the Swiss consulate general in Shanghai

The Swiss consulate general in Shanghai has 12 other foreign missions within 1 km, in a diplomatic quarter.