Return assistance aims to encourage the return of asylum seekers, whether voluntarily or in response to an order to leave Switzerland, and to help them to reintegrate in their countries of origin. The State Secretariat for Migration SEM implements these programmes, assisted by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and the competent cantonal agencies and relief organisations.
Any person involved in an asylum situation may apply for return assistance; an application can be made to the advisory centres in the cantons, the federal asylum centres and the provisional federal centres, as well as in the transit zones at Geneva and Zurich airports. Even persons who have been granted refugee status may receive assistance if they would like to return to their home country.
However, return assistance is not granted to convicted offenders or to persons who have abused the asylum system either during or after proceedings.
Certain other groups of migrants also have access to return assistance. These groups include the victims of and witnesses to human trafficking.
For the complete documentation see the pages in German, French or Italian.
Documents
Return assistance statistics
Video
Rückkehrhilfe kurz erklärt
Rückkehr in die Zukunft? – Stimmen und Geschichten zur Rückkehrhilfe
Last modification 26.07.2024