Asylum application
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.
Most asylum applications are filed directly at one of the federal asylum centres with processing facilities operated by the State Secretariat for Migration.
Asylum applications from abroad and visas on humanitarian grounds
Under the current Asylum Act, asylum applications cannot be submitted abroad. However, foreign nationals who must leave their home country for compelling reasons may apply for a visa at a Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. A visa on humanitarian grounds may be granted if the applicant is considered to be in imminent and serious danger of bodily harm. People who are already in a third country are not considered to be at risk.
The diplomatic representation that receives a visa application examines whether it meets the conditions for granting a visa on humanitarian grounds. In case of doubt, applications can be submitted to the State Secretariat for Migration in Bern. If the applicant cannot reasonably be expected to stay in their home country any longer, the Swiss authorities issue an entry visa.
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.