New Criteria for Obtaining "Status S" in Switzerland

The Grand Chamber of the Swiss Parliament (National Council) has recently focused on drafting legislative priorities in security and peace for the 2023-2027 period.

The body has also opted to reassess the nature and future of the S status, as well as the integration initiatives designed for Ukrainian refugees.

The process for granting this status has evolved from its earlier form in 2022 and the start of 2023. Notably:

🔹 Since January of this year, one in every five applications has been declined. Those who have already received protection in other nations are ineligible for this status in Switzerland. Moreover, there's a growing trend of submissions by individuals with counterfeit Ukrainian passports.

🔹 The approval time for an S status application now averages up to three months due to additional processing requirements.

🔹 The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) intends to hire more staff to streamline the application process.

🔹 Presently, the sole registration site for refugees is the Federal Asylum Center in Bern, located at Bundesasylzentrum, Morillonstrasse 75, 3007 Bern. Should you need housing, initially visit the camp at Mingerstrasse 14c, 3014 Bern. Here, you will be provided shelter and instructions on registration.

❗️SEM may revoke the S status if a refugee spends more than 15 days per quarter in their home country. Exceptions are made for those who demonstrate they were preparing for a permanent return to Ukraine or had valid reasons, such as attending to critically ill relatives. Additionally, spending over two months in a third country can also lead to the revocation of the permit.