There's a real business opportunity here...

Swiss consulates to privatize visa processing (World Radio Switzerland)

"The majority of applications from people seeking visas to come to Switzerland will soon be processed by private companies..."

Looks like another opportunity for ID Entrepreneurs. See - ID Entrepreneurs: Criminal Background Checks.

Will Swiss to say "cheese" for faster entry to US?

Swiss visitors may get fast-track entry to US (Swiss Info)

Swiss travellers to the United States may soon benefit from speedy entry under a new agreement proposed by the US authorities, according to the American ambassador to Bern Donald S. Beyer.

He told the NZZ am Sonntag newspaper on Sunday that participation in the US Global Entry programme managed by US Customs and Border Protection would put Switzerland on a list of “selected countries” whose citizens could gain fast-track entry. 
...
If Switzerland agrees to participate, it would join a handful of countries alongside the Netherlands, Ireland, Mexico and Canada.

Swiss retain visa-free travel to the US

Via SwissInfo.ch

Swiss nationals will continue to benefit from visa-free entry to the United States for stays of up to 90 days after the two countries initialled an agreement on the issue on Wednesday.

The US had posed two conditions to countries wishing to remain in the visa-waiver programme. On the one hand, it wanted an exchange of finger prints and DNA data in order to prevent and combat serious crime (PCSC); on the other, it wanted an exchange of data on known or suspected terrorists.

Bilateral Travel Agreements: The U.S.& Switzerland Make Sausage

Laws are like sausages, it is better not to see them being made.

— Otto von Bismarck

Otto von Bismarck was neither Swiss nor American nor would he have been surprised to read the article describing the negotiations over law-enforcement information sharing between the two nations.

Swiss media report USA could re-introduce visas (genevalunch.com)
     The US and Switzerland have been negotiating data sharing since 2007.

Shengen & Switzerland

The Schengen Agreement eliminates all internal border controls among the 25 European states who have entered into it. The implementation of the Schengen Agreement has meant harmonized customs regualtions and passports. Switzerland has issued biometric passports since early 2010.

This page is a really good aggreagtion off all things both Shengen and Swiss. Switzerland's place in the Schengen agreement is interesting because Switzerland is not in the EU and therefore does not use the common currency. That, however, doesn't mean that Switzerland is unwilling to enter into other multilateral agreements with European countries.

More on Schengen:

For those as confused as I was about how to pronounce 'Schengen," this should help. Schengen is a town in Luxembourg (pop. 1500) so think German, not Chinese. It rhymes with swingin' as in "Schengen is a swingin' town." This is a mnemonic device, not necessarily a fact.

See also:
Europe: Biometric Visas Begin To Function In The Schengen

Switzerland New biometric residence permits ready

Switzerland: New biometric residence permits ready January 24 (GenevaLunch.com)

Switzerland Monday 24 January begins issuing biometric residence permits to foreigners who are from outside the European Union or Efta (European Free Trade Association). Note for holders of residence permits: existing permits remain valid until the expiry date listed on them.

From the Swiss Federal Office for Migration:

Link to brochure pdf

It contains two digital fingerprints and a facial image. The data are stored for five years and may only be used for issuing a new identity document. The biometric identity document for foreign nationals fulfils strict international requirements. The data are protected by a secure access control and an electronic key. The fingerprints are especially protected. The chip does not allow a person to be located or monitored.