migration.swiss 2021

Asylum

Crossings on the central route have doubled

The routes by which migrants reach Europe are constantly changing. In 2021, the number of people crossing the Central Mediterranean to Italy doubled.

A few figures

New information portal for asylum seekers

The new app contains general information in 12 languages on the asylum procedure, the federal asylum centres, life in Switzerland and healthcare.

Pastoral care for Muslims in federal asylum centres

Muslim contact persons have been available to refugees from Afghanistan or Syria in the federal asylum centres since 2021. The project is so successful that it is to be made permanent.

State Secretariat

The SEM introduces itself

The State Secretariat for Migration SEM determines under what circumstances a person may enter Switzerland to live and work. It also decides who is granted protection from persecution.

Christine Schraner Burgener becomes the new State Secretary

The Federal Council has appointed Christine Schraner Burgener as the new State Secretary for Migration. The 57-year-old top diplomat succeeds Mario Gattiker.

Mario Gattiker bids farewell to migration policy

Mario Gattiker was the face of Swiss asylum policy for many years. The director of the State Secretariat for Migration retired in 2021. A review.

Jobsharing

Job-sharing has proven a great success. In just three years, the number of job-sharing positions at SEM has risen fivefold.

Immigration and Integration

Preparing well with a pre-apprenticeship

The INVOL pre-apprenticeship integration programme specifically prepares refugees for basic vocational education and training.

A few figures

In 2021, year-on-year net migration of the permanent foreign resident population remained stable at 61,526 persons.

Financial subsidies

The Canton of Jura has set a fine example, training up 16 refugees and temporarily admitted persons to work in local businesses in 2021. A visit to Delémont.

Romansh

International Affairs

Kabul - Zurich - Biberbrugg

By the end of August, Switzerland had evacuated around 400 people from Afghanistan. This was also the case for Rahmatullah and his family.

Afghanistan crisis: Switzerland strengthens its commitment

A few weeks after the Taliban took power in Afghanistan, a delegation from SEM visited Pakistan and Iran to see the situation first hand. Switzerland is increasing its aid in the region.

A perfect example of a migration partnership

The migration partnership between Switzerland and Nigeria is a perfect example of how common challenges can be addressed in partnership.

Boosting Swiss support in Bosnia and Greece

In October, Federal Councillor Karin Keller-Sutter visited Bosnia and Greece. Both nations play a key role in managing migration movements in Europe.