Overview of the main changes since the previous report update

Author

Swiss Refugee Council Visit Website

The report was last updated in July 2024.

International protection

• Statistics: In 2024, 27,740 persons asked for asylum in Switzerland, which is a decrease compared to 2023 (30,223). The countries of origin with the most applicants were Afghanistan, Türkiye, Algeria, Eritrea and Syria. About 10% of new asylum applicants were unaccompanied minors. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) dealt with 30,420 asylum applications in the first instance. The asylum rate was 47%, the protection rate of the applications dealt with in merit was 69%. The number of pending cases at first instance increased up to 11,921 (see Statistics). In addition, in 2024, 16,616 (amongst them 16,418 persons from Ukraine) applied for temporary protection (Status S) in Switzerland, and 9,272 persons were granted this status.
• EU Pact on Asylum and Migration: on 14 November 2024, the SRC participated[1] in the consultation process[2] on the implementation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum. In it, the SRC has called for example for Switzerland’s binding participation in the solidarity mechanism for relocation, for a more generous practice with regard to the application of the sovereignty clause (including codification of the criteria in law) and for the adoption of the EU status of ‘subsidiary protection’.
• UN Pact on Migration: on 12 December 2024, both chambers of the Swiss Parliament decided Switzerland would not sign the UN Pact on Migration,[3] a decision seen as incomprehensible by the SRC.[4]
• New asylum strategy: In 2024 – five years after the start of the new asylum procedure – a new Swiss asylum strategy process was launched with the participation of the federation, cantons, cities and communes.[5]

Asylum procedure 

• Access to the territory: on 17 October 2024, the SRC participated in the consultation process on new rules for the introduction of border controls. It pointed out that internal border controls run counter to the idea of the Schengen area and should therefore only be carried out in justified exceptional cases and for a short period of time. Under no circumstances should access to the asylum procedure be restricted.[6] Schengen visa applications must be submitted in digital form on a European platform from 2028 onwards. As a Schengen state, Switzerland is participating in this modernisation and is adapting its national law accordingly. During its meeting on 13 November 2024, the Federal Council adopted the dispatch on the digitalisation of Schengen visas.[7]
• Resettlement: End of April 2025, the government announced an extension of the resettlement program until the end of 2027. However, it committed to accepting only half of the originally planned 800 people per year.[8] For the second half of 2025, the SEM announced that it is planned to enable the entry for 45 individuals, after the program had been on pause since December 2022 (see Legal access to the territory).
• Access to mobile data for identity, nationality or travel route verification: On 15 September 2021, the Swiss Parliament allowed immigration officials to access people’s mobile data if it is the only way to verify their identity, nationality or travel route.[9] In its meeting on 1 May 2024, the Federal Council decided on the amendments of the ordinance necessary for implementation, which came into force on 1 April 2025[10] (see Regular procedure).
• New 24-hour procedure: A 24-hour procedure for applicants from the Maghreb region (Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, and Libya) was introduced in February 2024.[11] This presents significant challenges for the legal representatives assisting asylum seekers. The particularly short deadlines make it difficult for legal representatives to provide adequate assistance and support to the applicants. The SRC criticised the measure[12] (see Prioritised examination and fast-track processing).
• Suspension of applications: Considering the ongoing war in Sudan, the SEM decided in February 2024 to suspend the treatment of asylum applications from persons from Sudan to evaluate the situation.[13] In December 2024, the SEM ended the suspension. Due to the developments in Syria in December 2024, the SEM decided to suspend the treatment of asylum applications from persons from Syria until a new evaluation of the situation can be made. The SRC called for the continuation of the asylum procedures and for people concerned to be granted at least a temporary admission status[14] (see Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure).
• Dublin: In 2024, the Swiss authorities issued Dublin decisions to Greece for men from Türkiye. The decisions were appealed, and a reference judgment from the Federal Administrative Court is expected in 2025 (see Dublin – Suspension of transfers).
• Age assessment: In May 2024, the CRC criticised[15] Switzerland with regard to the age assessment of asylum applicants. According to the CRC, the burden of proof should not lie exclusively with the asylum applicants. Furthermore, in the committee’s view, if there is any doubt, the decision should be in favour of the person concerned – in other words, they should be treated as children if there is a possibility that they may actually be minors (see Age assessment of unaccompanied children).
• Asylum practices regarding LGBTQI+ applicants: In November 2024, the ECtHR once again[16] ruled against Switzerland[17] for its asylum practices regarding LGBTQI+ persons. The judges in Strasbourg criticised the SEM and the FAC for not examining the willingness and ability of the Iranian authorities to protect LGBTQI+ individuals in the event of their return carefully enough. The SRC welcomed the ruling and hopes that it will finally lead to the lifting of the practice of ‘discretion’ for LGBTQI+ asylum applicants[18] (see Special procedural guarantees).
• Change of practice regarding Afghanistan: Although the SEM continues to assume that removal is generally unreasonable, returning non-vulnerable men to Afghanistan is considered reasonable in exceptional cases if the circumstances are favourable. The person concerned must be residing in Switzerland without family, be over the age of 18 and in good health. They must also have a stable and sustainable network of relationships in their home country that enables them to reintegrate socially and find work. Women, families, minors and people with health problems are not affected.[19] The change of practice came into force in mid-April 2025 (see Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure).
• Persecution in and removals to Türkiye: In a reference judgment of March 2024,[20] the FAC addressed the question of whether it would be reasonable to enforce a removal order to the provinces in Türkiye that are particularly affected by the earthquake of February 2023, with regard to housing, food supply, infrastructure, health care, the school system, the economic situation and employment. Based on the information available, according to the court it is not possible to assume that it is generally unreasonable to enforce removal to the areas mentioned, including to the most severely affected province of Hatay. Rather, the individual circumstances of those affected should be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Due account should be taken of the situation of vulnerable persons – in particular, frail, disabled (or otherwise impaired) and chronically ill persons – especially in the case of persons who would have to return to the provinces of Hatay, Adiyaman, Kahramanmaras and Malatya. Otherwise, a reasonable alternative residence should be examined. In a coordination judgment[21] of November 2024, the FAC made two momentous decisions for asylum applicants from Türkiye: firstly, the court concluded that individuals who are the subject of criminal proceedings in Türkiye for ‘insulting the president’ and/or ‘propaganda for a terrorist organisation’ are not generally subject to persecution in their home country that would entitle to an asylum status. On the other hand, in the same decision, the FAC reversed the practice in place since 2013,[22] according to which returns to the Turkish provinces of Hakkâri and Şırnak were generally excluded. Following a reassessment of the security situation, the FAC no longer considers deportations to these provinces to be generally unreasonable and has ruled that they should be examined on a case-by-case basis (see Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure).
• Removals to Afghanistan: In 2024, for the first time since 2019, the deportation of two persons to Afghanistan took place. The two persons had been felons convicted of a crime.[23] In January 2024, the FAC examined the probative value of the Afghan identity document Tazkira and emphasised that relying on this document alone was not sufficient to assess the alleged minority or majority.[24] With regard to reflex persecution in Afghanistan, the court clarified in January 2024[25] that the risk of it could not be denied on the grounds that the person concerned had not suffered serious harm before leaving the country (see Differential treatment of specific nationalities in the procedure).
• Readmission and returns – collaboration with Iraq: In May 2024, Federal Councillor Beat Jans signed an agreement with the Iraqi Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister to strengthen bilateral cooperation on migration. The aim is in particular to facilitate readmission and to promote the voluntary return and reintegration of rejected asylum applicants.[26]

• Inappropriate practices during return procedures: The Swiss National Commission for the Prevention of Torture (NCPT) criticised several practices in the returns of former applicants for international protection as not appropriate and inadequate.[27] The Commission especially highlighted the lack of consideration for the interests of children in the event of forced repatriation by air.[28]

Reception conditions

• Living conditions in temporary asylum centres: The NCPT criticised the living conditions in temporary asylum centres in its report of April 2024, particularly in civil defence shelters. The reports confirm the SRC’s concerns about these facilities. Conditions in the shelters are challenging: limited space, no natural light, no clear separation of sleeping, eating, and communal areas, lack of privacy, and inadequate ventilation, among other issues. Such circumstances increase the risk of conflict, yet violence prevention measures are notably lacking.[29] Additionally, alleged cases of violence reported to the NCPT have been poorly documented and insufficiently investigated.[30] Amnesty International also documented new cases of alleged human rights violations in reception centres in a report published in October 2024[31] (see Conditions in reception facilities).
• New and closed asylum centres: The permanent asylum centre in the “Zona Pasture” opened its doors in June 2024, it offers accommodation for 350 persons.[32] In October 2024 the SEM announced that 9 temporary asylum centres would be closed at the end of the year 2024 as the numbers of asylum application were lower than expected[33] (see Housing).
• Living conditions of children: In 2024, two publications from the Federal Commission on Migration (CFM) demonstrated that the living conditions in emergency accommodation for asylum seekers jeopardise the well-being and development of children and young people. This is incompatible with both the Swiss Federal Constitution and international conventions. One publication is a study by the Marie Meierhofer Institute for Child Research (MMI), which for the first time gathered data on the living conditions of minors in emergency shelters across Switzerland, and the other one is a legal opinion prepared by the University of Neuchâtel, which provides a legal analysis of the results[34] (see Special reception needs of vulnerable groups).
• Living conditions of victims of human trafficking: In June 2024, the third GRETA report on Switzerland was published.[35] According to the report, despite improvements, there is still a need for action in Switzerland to protect victims of human trafficking.[36] The report criticises that the accommodation for asylum applicants is often not suitable for victims of human trafficking. It must be ensured that they are provided with accommodation where they can find peace and rest and where their particular circumstances are taken into account. (see Special reception needs of vulnerable groups).

Content of international protection

• Family reunification: In 2022, the FAC adapted its case law regarding the family reunification for persons with F status (temporary admission) to a ruling of the ECtHR.[37] In May 2024, the Federal Council suggested to adapt the law accordingly, from 3 years waiting time to 2 years waiting time (see Family reunification).
• Legal situation of victims of domestic violence: The legal situation of victims of domestic violence with regard to immigration law is to be improved. With this aim in mind, the parliament passed an amendment to the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) during the 2024 summer session. The Federal Council enacted this amendment and the necessary ordinance adjustments at its meeting on 27 November 2024, bringing them into force on 1 January 2025. In addition, the Federal Council is withdrawing Switzerland’s reservation on the application of the Istanbul Convention.[38]
• Access to apprenticeships: Rejected asylum applicants and young “sans-papiers” should be able to complete apprenticeships more easily. The Federal Council approved a corresponding amendment to the ordinance at its meeting on 1 May 2024. In the future, the persons concerned will only have to have attended compulsory school in Switzerland for two years instead of five in order to be able to submit a hardship application with a view to be admitted for an apprenticeship. The change came into force on 1 June 2024[39] (see Employment and education).

Temporary protection / Status S

The information given hereafter constitutes a short summary of the 2024 Annex on Status S.

• Prolongation of status S: the Federal Council decided on 4 September 2024 that protection status S will be maintained at least until at least 4 March 2026. [40]

• Restriction of the scope of status S: On 2 December 2024, the Swiss parliament decided that in future only people from Ukraine who can prove that they come from a contested or Russian-occupied territory should be granted temporary protection.[41] It is not clear yet when this amendment will come into force.
• Overall evaluation of status S: The evaluation group of the temporary protection status continues to view the status in a positive light. However, the evaluation group advocates increased efforts in the area of labour market integration.[42] Measures on labour market integration have been introduced.[43]

[1] SRC, Approbation et mise en œuvre des échanges de notes entre la Suisse et l’UE sur la reprise des règlements (UE) 2024/1351, (UE) 2024/1359, (UE) 2024/1349, (UE) 2024/1358 et (UE) 2024/1356 (pacte européen sur la migration et l’asile) (développements de l’acquis de Schengen et de l’acquis « Dublin/Eurodac») Réponse de l’Organisation suisse d’aide aux réfugiés (OSAR) à la procédure de consultation, 14 november 2024.

[2] Federal Council, media release of 14 August 2024, Le Conseil fédéral ouvre la consultation sur la reprise du pacte européen sur la migration et l’asile (available in French and German).

[3] Communication of the Parlament, 12 December 2024, Parlament ist gegen den Schweizer Beitritt zum UNO-Migrationspakt (in German).

[4] SRC, news of 18 September 2024, Rejet du Pacte de l’ONU sur les migrations : une décision incompréhensible (available in French and German).

[5] SEM, communication of 5 July 2024, Asile : Confédération, cantons, villes et communes élaborent une nouvelle stratégie.

[6] SRC, Genehmigung und Umsetzung des Notenaustausches zwischen der Schweiz und der EU betreffend die Übernahme der Verordnung (EU) 2024/1717 zur Änderung der Verordnung (EU) 2016/399 über einen Unionskodex für das Überschreiten der Grenzen durch Personen (Weiterentwicklung des Schengen-Besitzstands) sowie weitere Änderungen des Ausländer- und Integrationsgesetzes (AIG) Vernehmlassungsantwort der Schweizerischen Flüchtlingshilfe (SFH), 17 October 2024.

[7] SEM, media release of 13 November 2024, Numérisation des demandes de visas Schengen (available in French and German)

[8] SEM, Bundesrat beschliesst Verlängerung des Resettlement-Programms um zwei Jahre, media release of 30 April 2025, available in German, Italian and French; reaction of the SRC, Resettlement stärken und Kontingente ausschöpfen, media release of 30 April 2025, available in German and French. 

[9] The SRC and UNHCR criticised the measure as disproportionate and an assault on privacy rights: SRC, media release of 15 September 2021, Le Parlement restreint encore les droits fondamentaux des personnes en quête de protection, (available in French and German), see also the communication of ECRE of 8 October2024, available in English here.

[10] Federal Council, media release of 1 May 2024 available in French, German and Italian.

[11] In May 2024, the SEM announced that the 24-hour procedure would remain in effect.

[12] SRC, media release of 21 February 2024, SFH lehnt geplante Verschärfungen kategorisch ab (available in German); SRC, news of 21 September 2024, L’OSAR demande l’abandon de la procédure en 24 heures (available in French and German).

[13] The SRC criticised this decision and called for a temporary admission at least for persons from Sudan: SRC, news of 30 July 2024, Une guerre oubliée : l’OSAR appelle à protéger les personnes réfugiées du Soudan (available in German and French).

[14] SRC, media release of 10 December 2024, Syrie: les procédures d’asile doivent se poursuivre (available in French and German).

[15] CRC/C/96/D/80/2019; the SRC had argued for years that the procedures for determining the age of refugees in Switzerland are inadequate.

[16] ECtHR, B and C v. Switzerland, Application nos. 43987/16 and 889/19, 17 November 2020, available here.

[17] ECtHR, M.I. v. Switzerland, 12 November 2024, available here.

[18] SRC, news of 13 November 2024, Schweiz wird wegen ihrer LGBTQI+-Praxis erneut vom EGMR gerügt (available in German and French).

[19] More information on this: SEM, media release of 20 March 2025, SEM alters asylum practice for Afghanistan (in English).

[20] FAC, E-1308/2023 of 19 March 2024.

[21] FAC, E-4103/2024 of 15 November 2024; SRC,  media release of 15 November 2024, SFH kritisiert verschärfte Praxis zu Asylgesuchen aus der Türkei (available in German and French).

[22] FAC, E‒2560/2011 of 15 March 2013.

[23] Swissinfo.ch, 13 October 2024, Schweiz schafft zwei straffällige Afghanen nach Afghanistan aus (available in German).

[24] FAC E-2771/2023 of 19 January 2024.

[25] FAC E-1749/2023 of 26 January 2024.

[26] SEM, media release of 24 May 2024, Migration : renforcement de la collaboration entre la Suisse et l’Irak (available in French, German and Italian).

[27] NCPT, Bericht an das Eidgenössische Justiz- und Polizeidepartement (EJPD) und die Kantonale Konferenz der Justiz- und Polizeidirektorinnen und -direktoren (KKJPD) betreffend das ausländerrechtliche Vollzugsmonitoring von Januar bis Dezember 2023, 22 April 2024 (in German).

[28] NCPT, media release of 9 July 2024, Mangelnde Berücksichtigung der Kindesinteressen bei zwangsweisen Rückführungen auf dem Luftweg, (available in German and French).

[29] The NCPT report of 10 April 2024 can be found here in German. 

[30] SRC, News of 12 January 2024, Temporäre Asylunterkünfte: oft unangemessene und schwierige Lebensbedingungen (available in German and French).

[31] Amnesty International Switzerland, media release of 22 October 2024 (available in German).

[32] SEM, media release of 24 May 2024, Apertura del Centro federale d’asilo definitivo in zona Pasture (available in Italian and German).

[33] SEM, media release of 22 October 2024, Le SEM ferme neuf centres fédéraux temporaires pour requérants d’asile (available in French and German).

[34] CFM, media release of 30 September 2024, EKM fordert besseren Schutz für Kinder in der Nothilfe (available in German and French; SRC, news of 30 September 2024, Le maintien à long terme d’enfants dans l’aide d’urgence enfreint les droits de l’enfant (available in French and German).

[35] GRETA, Evaluation Report Switzerland, third evaluation round, published on 20 June 2024, available in English.

[36] SRC, News of 25 June 2024, Les victimes de traite des êtres humains ne sont toujours pas suffisamment protégées en Suisse (available in French and German).

[37] ECtHR, Application no. 6697/18, M.A. v Denmark, 9 July 2021.

[38] SEM media release of 27 November 2024, Droit des étrangers : améliorer la situation des victimes de violence domestique (available in French, Italian and German).

[39] SEM, media realease of 1 May 2024, Le Conseil fédéral assouplit l’accès à la formation professionnelle initiale pour les cas de rigueur (available in French, Italian and German).

[40] Swiss government, media release of 4 September 2024, Schutzstatus S wird nicht aufgehoben (available in German, Italian and French).

[41] Swiss parlament, media release of 2 December 2024, Räte wollen Status S nicht mehr für alle ukrainischen Geflüchteten, (available in German).

[42] SEM, media release of 20 September 2024, Le statut de protection S, une mesure efficace selon le groupe d’évaluation (available in French, German and Italian).

[43] SEM, media release of 8 May 2024, Le Conseil fédéral renforce les mesures d’intégration professionnelle des bénéficiaires du statut S (available in French, Italian and German) and SEM, media release of 21 June 2024, Intégration professionnelle des réfugiés : les autorités veulent collaborer plus étroitement (available in French, Italian and German).