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 collapse of the Assad government in Syria in early December 2024, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has decided to suspend the processing of asylum claims of Syrian nationals and other persons from Syria until further notice.
⚠️ From September 1st, 2025, the SEM has resumed decisions on asylum applications by Syrian nationals, for the following groups only:
- Persons with vulnerabilities (e.g. health problems), who did not experience persecution, but who claim that they cannot return safely to Syria. If they fulfil the conditions, they will be granted a provisional admission (F).
- Persons who have committed serious crimes or pose a threat to Switzerland’s internal or external security. These applicants will most likely receive a removal order.
The asylum procedure for all other Syrian nationals remains suspended until further notice.
Read more about it on SEM’s website regarding Information about Syria (only available in German and French).
Persons from Syria 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. However, they will not receive any decision on their application until further notice. It is yet not clear how long the suspension of decision-making will last.
During this time, individuals with an N permit have access to support to meet their basic needs. However, they are not entitled to family reunification, cannot work while staying in a federal asylum centre, face employment restrictions, require authorisation to work once assigned to a canton, and cannot travel abroad unless granted permission under very strict conditions.
The current decision has no consequences for Syrian nationals with refugee status (B and C permit), a provisional admission (F permit) or any other residence permit in Switzerland. The termination of the protection provided to Syrian refugees is currently not under consideration.
Should such a decision be taken in the future, the refugee status and residence permit will only be withdrawn after an individual assessment concluding that there are no continuous international protection needs. Concerned individuals will be asked whether they have any valid reasons against such a decision.
Please note that, whether you are still in the asylum procedure (N permit), recognized as a refugee (B permit) or provisionally admitted to Switzerland (F permit), you do not have the right to travel to your country of origin except in very specific circumstances. Should you wish to do so, please contact the responsible authorities in your canton. If you decide to travel to your country of origin without having sought permission, your application for asylum risks being rejected or your status being revoked.