Offices
Administration
The Administrative Section is responsible for managing the embassy's day-to-day operations. The administrative section is responsible for financial affairs, communications, facilities maintenance, procurement and contracting, and personnel.
Consular Sections
The Consular Sections (American Citizen Services, Non-Immigrant Visa and Immigrant Visa Units) protect the interests of American citizens who travel or reside in Switzerland and adjudicate applications for visas. Services for American citizens include passport renewals, reports of birth, notarial services, and judicial assistance.
Homeland Security
Department of Homeland Security personnel work to ensure that all goods and persons entering and exiting the United States do so in accordance with United States laws and regulations.
Defense Organizations
The United States Defense Attaché Office (DAO) Bern performs representational functions on behalf of the Secretary of Defense, the Secretaries of the Military Services, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Chiefs of the U.S. Military Services. The Defense Attaché at the American Embassy, Bern is COL William Langan. COL Langan is also the U.S. Senior Defense Official, on behalf of the Combatant Commander, European Command.
The DAO is responsible for the full range of defense cooperation activities in Switzerland. Chief among these activities is the support of bi-lateral armaments cooperation programs. Other activities include U.S. Foreign Military Sales (FMS) of defense articles, services and training. Switzerland has procured and continues to support many of its most important armaments systems through the assistance of the DAO.
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) works together with Switzerland and international drug law enforcement agencies on matters regarding international drug control programs and drug related money laundering. For more information visit http://www.dea.gov/
Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) in Geneva
The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Geneva-based personnel are Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS) employees who work to improve access for U.S. agricultural exports into the Swiss market. USDA represents U.S. agricultural interests to the Swiss Government in Bern, and promotes the sale of U.S. food, fiber, fisheries and forestry products to Swiss citizens. USDA has its own website: http://geneva.usmission.gov/us-mission-wto/foreign-agricultural-service/
Legal Attaché´s Office
The Legal Attache's Office works together with Swiss and international law enforcement organizations to combat international crime. To find out more, visit the FBI website.
Political/Economic Section
The Pol/Econ Section follows, analyzes and reports political and economic developments in Switzerland and Liechtenstein. Pol/Econ officers are responsible for generating support for U.S. policy objectives with key Swiss and Lichtenstein leaders and assessing the results of U.S. policies and programs on bilateral relations. The section deals with issues including money and banking, trade and commerce, communication and transportation, economic development, and government finance among others.
Public Affairs
The mission of the Public Affairs Section is to promote understanding of U.S. political, economic and social issues -- explaining to Switzerland and Liechtenstein audiences both the current Administration's foreign policy agenda and the complexities of U.S. society and culture.
Regional Security Office (RSO)
Regional Security Office Special Agents are sworn Federal Law Enforcement Officers who are responsible for the security of Foreign Service personnel, property, and sensitive information throughout the world. Other duties include managing the Marine Security Guard and contract local guard security programs, manage or implement security-related aspects of new office building construction, and develop and implement counter-terrorist access controls for existing and new buildings.
For more information on Diplomatic Security, go to the Bureau of Diplomatic Security and the Overseas Security Advisory Council.
U.S. Commercial Service
The U.S. Commercial Service at the Embassy offers valuable assistance to help U.S. business export goods and services to Switzerland and Lichtenstein. Trade specialists can help you identify trade opportunities, find local trading partners, launch your company, and obtain market research reports. The U.S. Commercial Service Switzerland has its own website: http://www.buyusa.gov/switzerland/en/
U.S. Marine Corps Security Guards
The United States Marine Corps Security Guards protect classified material, American lives, and property of U.S. missions abroad.