On arrival in Switzerland, an asylum procedure can be opened by a simple request at an airport or border crossing.
"Refugees are persons who in their native country or in their country of last residence are subject to serious disadvantages or have a well-founded fear of being exposed to such disadvantages for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or due to their political opinions.
"In Switzerland, the Asylum Act (AsylA) defines the principles, criteria, procedure and application of decisions.
Switzerland has been a member of the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees since January 21, 1995; the treaty has been in force since April 21, 1955.
[5] The Federal Council agreed to study the proposal and issued a report concluding that the convention was still of major importance, that it met current needs, and that a revision was not necessary.
[5] The Organisation Suisse d'Aide aux Réfugiés (OSAR), which took part in drafting the report, is very pleased.
[7] This permit prohibits access to the labor market for three or even six months if the procedure has been extended[8] since arrival on the territory (then admission according to an order of priority).
Holders of an N permit may stay a maximum of 140 days in Confederation centers before being assigned to a canton.
[11] At the end of the asylum procedure, the rights of refugees depend on the decision taken by the State Secretariat for Migration regarding their legal status.
The B permit therefore allows the person in question to work in Switzerland,[15] benefit from social assistance and have access to public services (such as schools).
[23] The applicant may also be considered unworthy if he or she endangers or harms state security (e.g. espionage, violent extremism, organized crime).
Family regrouping is authorized, at the earliest, three years after provisional admission, but there are conditions to be met, such as suitable accommodation and financial independence.
[25] The F permit for foreign nationals is a temporary admission for people who have not been granted asylum and who cannot be considered refugees.
These people are subject to a removal order from Switzerland, accompanied by temporary admission to the country, if "enforcement of the removal order proves unlawful (violation of public international law), ineligible (concrete endangerment of the foreign national) or materially impossible (for technical enforcement reasons).
"[26] In most cases, enforcement of the removal decision would put the applicant's life in danger because of war or the risk of torture, for example.
[30] In spring 2022, as the granting of protection status S was based on Ukrainian nationality, other fugitives arriving in Switzerland were not entitled to it if their country of origin was considered "safe".
[36] On July 7, 2022, a new group met for the first time in Berne at the invitation of Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter.
[42] A special federal center is reserved for asylum seekers who pose a threat to security and public order, or to the smooth running of other CFAs.