Passport Services

COVID-19

November 2021 - Passport appointments and processing times

Important: Passport Processing Times and Emergency Passport applications

Passport processing timeframes are currently taking around 6 weeks (not the usual 3 weeks) owing to an increase in passport application requests – you should factor these timeframes into your travel plans.

How long to get a passport | Australian Passport Office (passports.gov.au)

For people intending to travel before the end of 2021 and early 2022, it may be possible to have an Emergency Passport issued, while the new passport is being processed. Emergency Passports take 2 business days to process.  Please contact our office to discuss your situation if you think your travel plans may be impacted.

Please note there is an additional Emergency Passport fee of CHF128.

Appointments for passport services can only be made by sending an email to: [email protected].

Our online booking system remains closed.

Passport appointments are only being held in Geneva.

Appointments are held Monday to Thursday.

      To schedule an appointment please provide the following:

1. Title your email with: “Last name”, “First Name” – Passport Appointment
2. Your full name, contact phone number and email address
3. Preferred ‘days’ and ‘times’ (morning or afternoon) and where you will be coming from
4. The number of passports you are requiring (include names) and type of passport (e.g., Adult, Child, Name Change)

If you require an urgent appointment, in addition to the above, please provide specific details of your urgency (eg evidence of confirmed travel plans).

   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: [email protected]

Step by Step Instructions

Notes

1.  Complete and print your application form online at the global website

Login or create an AusPassport account. You will be automatically directed to the correct form by answering the questions. For information on passport application process please check the information sheets below and the Australian Passport Office website.

2.  Print, Sign and Date the application form 

Print: 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 incorrectly if you do not manually adjust your print settings. 

Signatures: When using the PC8 form insure 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. An application signed more than six months ago cannot be accepted. 

Check there are no alterations to signatures and dates. Application forms containing overwritten dates or signatures cannot be accepted.  Please reprint and sign a new page.

3.  Obtain Two Passport Photos

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

For information on passport photo requirements please visit Passport Photo Guidelines.

4.  Prepare for your interview

Please carefully read the information sheets to ensure you attend the interview with the correct supporting documents. 

Review the required documents for your application and review 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 below for 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)

Replace a lost/stolen or emergency passport (Form PC8, 5 pages)

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

Original documents located in Australia or other Country

5.  Book an appointment to lodge your application. *

Our online booking system is currently closed. Please see the ‘Update to passport Arrangements’ information at the top of this page.

Since 1 July 2015, all passport 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 or live far from our office.

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 16-17 years 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: The new passport will be sent to you by registered mail to a Swiss address only (home, work or friend).  A postage fee applies.

Collect in Geneva: You will be notified by email when the new passport is ready and to make an appointment to collect. 

7.  Further passport information

Passports FAQs

Passport Fees and payment methods

Report a lost or stolen passport

Passport care 

How to apply for Australian citizenship