🇨🇭Switzerland
Lump-Sum Taxation Residence
Swiss residence for non-EU HNWIs willing to negotiate a lump-sum tax with a canton.
Required documents
- ·Cantonal tax ruling agreement
- ·Proof of housing in the canton
- ·Comprehensive Swiss health insurance
- ·No gainful activity in Switzerland
Things to know
- ·Cantons of Zurich, Basel-Stadt, Schaffhausen and Appenzell A-R have abolished the forfait.
- ·Vaud, Valais, Geneva, Ticino and Grisons remain the most popular.
Apostille & legalization
Apostille routeApostille only — both United States and Switzerland are parties to the 1961 Hague Apostille Convention.
Apostille / legalisation
None of the listed documents are civil-status, criminal-record, medical or academic records, so an apostille is generally not required for this visa. Bank statements, employment contracts and application forms are accepted as-is (translated when needed).
Bank statements, employment contracts, photos, passport copies and the application form itself do not need an apostille.
- Obtain originals or certified copies of each civil/criminal record (birth certificate, marriage certificate, police clearance, diploma, etc.).
- Have each document apostilled by the competent authority in United States (U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications).
- Translate the apostilled document into the official language of Switzerland — the apostille itself is also translated.
- Submit the apostilled + translated bundle directly to the Switzerland immigration authority or consulate; no further consular stamp is required.
Translation: Switzerland only accepts translations from a court-sworn / officially recognised translator — agency translations are routinely rejected.
Issuing authority in United States: U.S. Department of State — Office of Authentications
Documents older than 3–6 months are often rejected. Plan to obtain fresh originals shortly before your visa application.
Last verified 31 May 2026 — reconfirm on the official portal before applying.
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