Asylum application and N-permit procedure

When an application for asylum is submitted, SEM staff examine whether the grounds for asylum are plausible and – if so – whether the person in question fulfils the requirements for refugee status laid down in the Asylum Act. Recognised refugees are usually granted asylum; however, this is not the case if they have, for example, committed reprehensible acts or constitute a threat to Switzerland’s national security. As a rule, asylum seekers whose applications have been rejected have to leave Switzerland. In such cases, however, the office has to examine whether there are any obstacles to removal, in which case the State Secretariat for Migration grants the asylum seeker temporary admission to Switzerland.

If you are subject to serious disadvantages in your country of origin or last residence for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or due to your political opinions, you can apply for asylum in Switzerland.

If you have already submitted an asylum application in another EU or EFTA state, that state is responsible for your application and you have no prospect of obtaining asylum in Switzerland.

You can submit an asylum application either at a border crossing point or at a federal asylum centre . It is not possible to submit an asylum application from abroad.

An application for asylum can be submitted orally or in writing at any Swiss border post or at border control at a Swiss airport. The asylum seeker must inform the Swiss authorities of their identity and, if possible, provide official documents to prove it. They must state their reasons for leaving their home country and are encouraged to provide supporting evidence if possible.

Once you have submitted an asylum application, it will be carefully considered by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). This usually takes a maximum of 140 days. During this time, you will live at a federal asylum centre . SEM examines whether your grounds for asylum are credible and whether you qualify as a refugee under the Swiss Asylum Act. You are entitled to free legal assistance.

If your asylum application is rejected, you must leave Switzerland. If it is accepted, you are recognised as a refugee. You are allowed to work and are supported in becoming integrated

The State Secretariat for Migration is responsible for carrying out asylum procedures.

Asylum seekers have the possibility of lodging an appeal with the Federal Administrative Court against negative decisions made by the State Secretariat for Migration.