Asylum applications filed by persons who have entered Switzerland evading border controls and by foreign nationals already officially residing in Switzerland

Asylum applications filed after evading border controls

The majority of asylum seekers evade border controls and enter Switzerland illegally. As a rule, persons entering Switzerland illegally are well informed about Swiss asylum procedures and know the address of one of the federal asylum centres with processing facilities run by the State Secretariat for Migration, where they can lodge their application for asylum.

Asylum applications filed by foreign nationals already officially residing in Switzerland

Political changes occurring in a country may mean that citizens of that state who are temporarily residing in Switzerland risk political persecution on their return.

Persons affected by such circumstances and already in possession of a residence permit in Switzerland may apply for asylum at one of the six federal asylum centres with processing facilities. However, these asylum seekers may stay in their allocated canton of residence until completion of their proceedings.

Last modification 01.03.2019

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