Please follow the steps below to renew or apply for your Australian passport while in Switzerland.
- You must first create an online account on the APO website and follow the prompts to generate and print the form.
- You must use A4 size paper to print your application. You may need to adjust your printer settings (look for ‘Shrink to Fit’ or ‘Fit to Page’ settings) to ensure the top/bottom of the form is not cut off and the barcodes at the top of all pages prints correctly.
- For the 5-page application form check that the 12-digit form number at the top of the form is the same number and that all 5 pages are provided.
- Make sure all sections are signed before you lodge, including by the guarantor, parents and witnesses where required for child applications. Passport staff CANNOT witness signatures.
- Check there are no alterations to signatures or dates. We can't accept applications with whiteout or overwritten dates. If you make a mistake print and sign a new form.
- Check the Passport Photo Requirements and Camera Operator Guidelines as poor quality photos are the most common reason for application being rejected or delayed.
- We recommend that you also request an unedited digital image of your photo. In Switzerland most professional photographers do not use the acceptable printing process or photo paper quality required for Australian passports.
- DO NOT attach your photos to the application form which may damage them. We will attach the photos for you.
Can lodge by Mail:
- Adult renewals using the one-page PC7 Australian Passport Renewal Application form can apply by mail. Print the ADULT MAILED-IN CHECKLIST and follow the instructions on how to correctly prepare your application.
- Child renewals up to the age of 15 years can be lodged by mail. Print the CHILD RENEWAL BY MAIL CHECKLIST and follow the instructions on how to correctly prepare your child’s renewal application.
- All other passport applications must be lodged in-person, by appointment.
Where to send the application:
Send the completed and signed application form along with the supporting documents listed on the adult/child checklist in an A4 envelope (DO NOT fold the application form) to:
Australian Consulate General
Passport Office – Adult or Child passport renewal
Case Postal 102
1211 Geneva 19
The following passport applications MUST be lodged in-person:
- Adult first passport or replacing an old passport issued before 1 January 2006.
- Adult replacement passport – due to full visa pages or minor damage.
- Child first passport.
- Child renewal passport for children aged 16 & 17 years.
- Name, gender or other change in your passport (adult and child).
- Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport.
Who must attend the appointment:
- When lodging a child first passport application BOTH parents must lodge in person, it does not matter whether the parent is an Australian citizen.
- Children aged 16 and 17 years MUST lodge in person, together with one parent. They will receive an adult 10-year valid passport (not optional).
- Children aged 0-15 years are not required to attend the appointment.
PRINT and carefully REVIEW the CHECKLISTS INSTRUCTIONS to avoid common errors, including missing documents and signatures:
- Adult All Other In-person - using the five-page PC8 Overseas Passport Application form.
- Adult Mailed-in Renewal - using the one-page PC7 Adult Renewal Applications form.
- Adult Replacement - due to full visa pages or minor damage - using the one-page PC7 Adult Renewal Applications form.
- Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport - see Adult or Child 'All Other In-person' checklists.
- Child Mailed-in Renewal - using the five-page PC8 Overseas Passport Application form.
- Child All Other In-person- first, aged 16 & 17 years, renewal or name change - using the five-page PC8 Overseas Passport Application form.
- Name, gender or other change in your passport - using the five-page PC8 Overseas Passport Application form.
- Concurrent passport – contact our office by email for information.
- Guarantor/Referee when lodging an application in Switzerland - See relevant checklist for information.
- Original document located in Australia or another country? See relevant checklist for information.
Other important information:
You should also check the requirements for name changes, translation of foreign documents and parental responsibility and consent for all applications unsing the five-page PC8 passport applications form.
The current waiting time for an appointment is 1-2 weeks. Please advise us if your travel is urgent.
Passport appointments are held on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.
To book an appointment send an email to: [email protected].
Provide the following in your email:
- Subject line of your email: Last name, First Name – Passport Appointment.
- Number of passports you are lodging at the same appointment (include the names, ages and most recent passport numbers).
- Your contact phone number and email address.
- For all first passport applications – confirm you have received either the original Australian citizenship certificate or the confirmation email which mentions that citizenship was ‘Acquired’.
- For all child applications - the names of both parents and child applicant attending the appointment.
- Your preferred ‘days’ (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday) and ‘times’ (morning/afternoon).
- Where you will be arriving from.
- If you require an urgent appointment - provide specific details of your urgency (e.g., evidence of confirmed travel plans).
We will be holding passport services once a month in either Bern or Zurich (places are limited). The next appointments will take place in:
- ZURICH on Thursday, 6 June 2024 between 9:00am and 2:30pm
- BERN on Thursday, 4 July 2024 between 9:00am and 2:30pm
We will only accept the following passport types
- Adult first or replacing an old passport issued before 1 January 2006.
- Adult replacement passport – due to full visa pages or minor damage.
- Child first passport.
- Child renewal passport for children aged 16 & 17 years. They will receive an adult 10-year passport (not optional).
- Name, gender or other change in your passport
- Replace a seriously damaged, lost, stolen or emergency passport.
We will not accept the following passport types which can be sent by mail:
- Adult streamlined renewal.
- Child renewal – 15 years or younger.
To book an appointment send an email to: [email protected]
In your email, please include:
- Subject line of your email: Last name, First Name – Passport Appointment – Bern or Zurich.
- Number of passports you are lodging (include the names, ages and most recent passport numbers).
- Type of passport application (see above accepted passport types).
- Your contact phone number and email.
- The full names of all persons attending the appointment (both parents are required to attend the appointment for ALL child passport applications).
- Your preferred appointment time.
- For all first passport applications – confirm you have received either the original Australian citizenship certificate or the confirmation email which mentions that citizenship was ‘Acquired’.
- For all name change applications – you must send us a scan of the documents you will be presenting to support your name change application BEFORE we can book your appointment to ensure they are correct.
- Allow up to 6 weeks, although it may be faster, to receive your new passport.
- If you have urgent travel, please contact our office to discuss applying for an Emergency Passport (additional fee of AUD$ 217) to use while the new passport is being processed. Emergency Passports must be lodged in-person and take 2 business days to process.
- Priority processing is not available overseas.
- DO NOT send us your current passport.
- Your current passport will remain valid for use while the new passport is being processed. Check with the countries you plan to visit/transit and the airline concerning passport validity and entry requirements.
- Will be sent to you by registered mail - we will only mail your passport to a Swiss address (home, friend, work) or you can collect it in Geneva when it is ready (by appointment - you will be notified by email).
Please see the following websites for information on passport validity and entering and leaving Australia:
- Australian Border Force - Entering and leaving Australia – Crossing the border
- Australian Passport Office – Passport validity and foreign visas
- Smartraveller – Passport validity
Australians who hold dual or multiple nationalities should leave and enter Australia on their Australian passport. If you are an Australian dual national and have questions regarding entry and exit requirements for Australia please visit:
- Dual nationals leaving and returning to Australia. Which passport should you use? | Australian Passport Office
- Advice for dual nationals | Smartraveller
- Travel documents (abf.gov.au)
- Travelling as a dual citizen (homeaffairs.gov.au)
It is the responsibility of the holder to ensure their travel document is suitable for entry, transit and exit and for any ongoing travel including visa requirements.