Switzerland issues travel warnings for the US as visitor numbers plummet

Following the lead of other nations in Europe and around the world, Switzerland has tightened its travel advice for those heading to the United States. It follows an incident in which a Swiss woman was arrested and detained in New York, despite having all the valid papers needed to enter the country.

What is the latest travel advice for the USA from Switzerland?

Under the new advice, the Federal Department for Foreign Affairs (FDFA) advises Swiss citizens and other travellers from the alpine nation to “inquire early…about the exact entry, residence and other regulations” needed to enter the United States. Failure to do so, according to the government, “may result in deportation, arrest, detention, and/or a fine”.

FDFA spokesperson Pierre-Alain Eltschinger told Blick that travellers to the United States, regardless of their reasons for going, should take extra precautions. "The FDFA recommends that travellers contact the Embassy of the United States of America in Bern early on to inquire about the exact entry and other regulations."

The change brings Switzerland into line with other European countries. In March, for example, Germany updated its travel advice for the US, after several of its citizens were detained at the border.

Swiss woman imprisoned in US for 24 hours despite having valid papers

For the FDFA, the decision to change the advice was sparked by an incident in April, when a 38-year-old Swiss woman was detained in New York while attempting to enter the US for a birthday trip. Despite having all the valid papers, border agents did not believe she was in the US on holiday and instead believed she was trying to work illegally.

She was questioned for six hours, during which officials demanded access to her mobile phone and social media accounts. She was then shackled and transferred to a prison in New Jersey, where she stayed for 24 hours before being deported back to Switzerland.

So far, the FDFA has been informed of two incidents in which Swiss citizens have been detained at the US border in 2025. Following the incident, FDFA officials contacted American authorities to express "concern about the treatment of people entering the US".

FDFA face a surge of concerned calls about travel to the US

The incident and the new advice have led to a surge of concerned calls from travellers. The FDFA’s helpline has received 170 calls about travel to the US since March, a threefold increase compared to 2024. What's more, in June, flag carrier airline SWISS assured those on its mailing list that entry regulations to the US have not changed.

The hesitancy of people to visit the US amid the extreme anti-migration and deportation policies of the Trump administration is also showcased in the data. According to the US Department of Commerce, the number of Swiss nationals entering the US was down 26% in March 2025 compared to the previous year. Numbers have risen since, but in May were still 7,2% lower than last year.