Asylum in Switzerland

Asylum applications are made in Switzerland, for example at a federal asylum centre, at the border or at an airport. Swiss representations abroad do not accept asylum applications, but in exceptional cases they can issue a humanitarian visa to a person whose life or physical integrity is directly, seriously and concretely threatened.

After registration and a preparatory phase, SEM checks whether another Dublin state is responsible. If Switzerland is responsible, SEM staff examine whether the asylum grounds are credible and the refugee criteria of the Asylum Act are met; the accelerated procedure follows a fixed timetable of at most 140 days. Recognised refugees are usually granted asylum; rejected applicants must leave unless obstacles to removal lead to temporary admission.

The Asylum Act sets a preparatory phase of at most 15 days in the Dublin procedure and 30 days in other procedures; where applicable, the screening under EU Regulation 2024/1356 takes place within three days. Dublin decisions are notified within three working days after the other state agrees to take charge, accelerated decisions within eight working days after the preparatory phase, and decisions in the extended procedure within two months, after the person has been allocated to a canton. In the accelerated procedure a draft rejection goes to the legal representative, who has 24 hours to comment.

Asylum seekers live in federal asylum centres during the procedure and receive advice and legal representation free of charge under the Swiss asylum system.

Asylum seekers may not work while they live in a federal asylum centre. Afterwards, temporary employment can be allowed if an employer applies to the cantonal authority, the economic situation permits it, pay and priority rules are met and there is no final removal order; self-employment is not allowed on an N permit.

Negative SEM decisions can be appealed to the Federal Administrative Court. The deadline is seven working days in the accelerated procedure, 30 days in the extended procedure and five working days against decisions not to consider the application; interim orders have shorter limits. The deadline that applies is also stated in the decision.

Applicants whose case is handled in a federal asylum centre are entitled to free counselling and legal representation. A legal representative is assigned after the screening for the preparatory phase and the rest of the procedure unless you expressly decline; unaccompanied minors receive one from the start. The representative informs you as soon as possible about your chances. Switzerland has six asylum regions, each with a federal asylum centre with processing facilities where applications are lodged and decided under one roof.