Iran

Suspension of asylum processing in Switzerland for Iranian asylum seekers

The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is responsible for examining asylum requests. UNHCR has no formal role in the asylum procedure and generally does not intervene in individual asylum applications.

Following the escalation of hostilities the Middle East in March 2026, the Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has decided to suspend the processing of some asylum claims of Iranian nationals until further notice.

Persons from Iran can still formally lodge an asylum claim and will receive a permission to stay in Switzerland (N permit) until a decision is made on their asylum request. They may already be interviewed but in some cases will not receive any final decision on their application until further notice. It is not yet clear when decisions for all profiles will resume.

The current decision has no impact on Iranian nationals with refugee status (B and C permit), a provisional admission (F permit) or any other residence permit in Switzerland.

Please find more information on Iran on this page. 

Last update: 25 June 2026

Call UNHCR toll-free from your browser

You are about to call UNHCR. If you are ready, please click next to allow microphone access when asked so we can hear you.

Set your browser permissions

Please give permission to access your microphone and geolocation when prompted by your browser. Sharing your location is optional, but enabling your microphone is required for UNHCR operator to hear you.

Example microphone permissions prompt that will appear in your browser:
Example microphone permissions prompt that will appear in your browser: Example

Toll-free call to UNHCR