Passport Services in Switzerland

COVID-19: Passport Appointments

The Australian Consulate-General in Geneva is again able to provide passport and notarial services. Appointments are currently only available in Geneva. Public access is limited and by appointment only to ensure social distancing. 

Specific requirements are in place for all visitors to the Australian Permanent Mission and Consulate-General in Geneva:

• You must have an appointment to visit our offices.
• If you have a fever, cough or any COVID-19 symptoms, please reschedule your appointment.  Please do not attend our offices if you are ill or if you have had recent exposure to someone who is ill.
• Please arrive as close to your appointment time as possible.  Security arrangements do not allow you to enter the building prior to your appointment time (no public waiting area). 
• Only the person(s) renewing their passport or requiring the notarial service will be allowed to enter (no public waiting area).
• Please do not bring friends or family members to your appointment.  If you are applying for a child passport, both parents are welcome to attend. 
• You must bring and wear a mask.  We will ask you to remove your mask briefly to confirm your identity.
• You may be asked to wash or sanitise your hands before commencing your interview.
• Payment is by card only - We accept Visa, MasterCard and Maestro/EC cards. We do not accept Post Finance, Dinners and American Express.

   Urgent Travel: If you need to travel urgently, please call the Consulate-General in Geneva (+41)22 799 91 00 during business          hours or send us an e-mail: Australian.consulate-geneva@dfat.gov.au

Step by step instructions

Notes

1.  Complete your application online at the global website 

You will need to create an account first. 

Once you have completed your application online, you can use A4 size paper to print it.  You may need to adjust your printer settings so that the top/bottom of the pages are not cut off (look for Shrink to Fit or Fit to Page settings). Chrome and Firefox users should pay particular attention to this, as it is common for pages to be printed with the bottom cut off if you do not manually adjust your print settings. 

2.  Sign and date your form 

Signatures: When using the PC8 form make sure all sections are signed (guarantor, parents, witness & child) before your interview.  Passport staff cannot witness signatures. The PC7 form can be signed at the interview.

Date: Signatures are valid for six months only. An application signed more than six months ago cannot be accepted. 

Check there are no alterations to signatures or dates.  Applications containing overwritten dates or signatures cannot be accepted. 

3.  Obtain two passport photos

Carefully check the photo specifications as poor quality photos are the most common reason an application cannot be accepted.

Check our list of Passport Photographers in Switzerland and the Passport Photo Guidelines.

4.  Prepare for your interview - please read the information sheets (links opposite) to ensure you attend the interview with the correct documents. 

Review the required documents for your application and go through the checklist to avoid common errors. Check the requirements for name change, translation of foreign documents and guarantors.

Supporting Documents: All documents must be original documents. We cannot accept certified copies. Please review the information sheets for a list of the required supporting documents:

Adult simplified renewal (Form PC7, 1 page)

Adult all other (Form PC8, 5 pages)

Child (Form PC8, 5 pages)

Name Change (Form PC8, 5 pages)

Guarantor/Referee (only required when using the PC8 form)

5.  Lodge your application in person and pay the fees at the time of your appointment.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) uses third-party software (Setmore) to manage the Consulate-General's appointments. Your personal information (including your name and contact details) will be collected by DFAT via Setmore to book your appointment and for related purposes.  By proceeding with this booking, you are consenting to the collection of this information by Setmore on DFAT's behalf for these purposes.  If this information is not collected, DFAT's ability to arrange your appointment will be limited.  Your personal information will be handled by Setmore in accordance with Setmore's Privacy Policy, and by DFAT in accordance with DFAT's Privacy Policy.

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                   Passport and Consular Fees 

Since 1 July 2015, all applications must be lodged in person (including renewals). There are no exceptions to this rule, even if you have lodged by mail in the past.

For child applications, one parent must lodge the application in person. It does not matter whether the lodging parent is an Australian citizen.

Children aged 16 and 17 years old must attend the interview, together with one parent.

Children aged 0 -15 years are not required to attend the interview.

6.  Allow up to 3 weeks to receive your new passport

You can keep your current passport valid while your new one is being processed. Please advise the passports officer at the beginning of your appointment that you would like to retain your passport for travel. Otherwise, the passport will be cut/cancelled and returned to you at the time you lodge.

Mailed within Switzerland: It will be sent to you by registered mail to a Swiss address only (home, work or friend). 

Collect in Geneva: You will be notified by email when the new passport is ready. Collect without an appointment Monday to Friday from 9:00-12:00 and 14:00-16:30.