|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The provisions concerning the new accelerated asylum procedures entered into force on 1 March 2019, following the adoption of the new Asylum Law in September 2015, the national referendum in June 2016 and the pilot projects carried out in Zurich, Boudry and Giffers. |
CH LEG 01 2019 |
|
Switzerland |
2019 |
Institutional |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
Since 1 March 2019, the asylum procedure has been organised into six asylum regions. Each of these regions has a federal asylum centre which conducts the asylum procedure. Supporting divisions remain at the headquarters. |
EASO Asylum Report 2020 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
The Federal Council announced that it will not create a legal basis in the Law for Foreigners and Integration for the introduction of electronic bracelets as an alternative to administrative detention. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
Legislation was amended to allow for detention at the border for up to 3 days without a judicial review and without a written order. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2022 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
The Federal Council submitted a proposal for amendments on the operation of reception centres to ensure the safety and security of asylum applicants and reception staff. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2023 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The SEM have started the implementation of the recommendations from the Working Group on Asylum and Human Trafficking. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Persons with special needs in the asylum procedure |
The SEM underlined that addressing the issue of violence against women would remain a priority in 2021 and the authority planned to hold information and training sessions for asylum and reception staff to raise awareness of all forms of violence against women. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Resettlement and humanitarian admissions |
The 2022-2023 resettlement programme was approved for the resettlement of 1,600 refugees focusing on three or five primary host countries. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The State Secretariat for Migration and cantonal authorities signed amendments to the convention on cantonal integration programmes for the implementation of the Swiss Integration Agenda, which includes more funds for cantons to carry out their plans. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Federal Council adopted its opinion on a report by the Political Institutions Committee of the Council of States concerning a parliamentary initiative on granting the same family reunification regimes to beneficiaries of international protection and persons with temporary admission. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
An amendment to the ordinance on implementation of return and expulsion of foreigners settles access rights, data security and data retention of the new information system, eRetour. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
A draft amendment would explicitly include that applicants are under a general travel ban and they could only travel if this is necessary for the asylum procedure or for their removal. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Reception of applicants for international protection |
An amendment to Ordinance 2 on asylum settled the funding of security costs of federal reception centres when they are temporarily closed. The confederation pays a lump sum for a year, even when the centre is closed. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Detention during the asylum procedure |
An amendment clarified that minors cannot be held in detention for the purposes of return. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
An amendment from 2018 to the Asylum Act entered into force on 1 April 2020, which enables the State Secretariat for Migration to pronounce a general travel ban for a group of refugees from a certain country of origin (particularly to neighbouring countries of that country of origin), if there is a well-founded doubt that the travel ban to the country of origin is not respected. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
An amendment to the ordinance on delivering travel documents for foreigners clarified when refugees under a travel ban can still receive an exceptional authorisation to travel to a country falling under that travel ban. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
The possibility to impose a travel ban is planned to be extended to persons with temporary admission. |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2020 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
A draft amendment would allow persons with temporary admission to change their assigned canton if they follow a long-term vocational training or are employed in another canton |
EASO Asylum Report 2021 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Content of protection |
Amendments to the Swiss Federal Act on Foreigners and Integration were adopted, imposing a general travel ban on persons with temporary admission as of 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
The Swiss Federal Council opened consultations on adjusting the financing of cantonal integration measures under the new Swiss Integration Agenda. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
A parliamentary initiative was adopted on the obligation to cooperate in the asylum procedure, which includes the possibility of checking an applicant’s mobile phone. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Legal assistance and representation |
Amendments to LASi provide for access to free legal counselling or representation after an asylum applicant has been transferred to a canton if the services were received while accommodated in a federal centre. The legislative amendment is expected to enter into force in 2022. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Content of protection |
Switzerland launched a pilot programme for the employment integration of refugees and persons with temporary admission and concluded subsidy contracts with 14 cantons. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Legislative |
|
Return of former applicants |
A number of legislative changes were adopted in the area of asylum and return, including compulsory COVID-19 tests for a person subject to a return, expulsion measure or a Dublin transfer, even against their will. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |
|
Switzerland |
2021 |
Policy |
|
Processing asylum applications at first instance |
The Federal Council sought to renew the Central Information System on Migration (SYMIC) and develop new functionalities. |
EUAA Asylum Report 2022 |