 |
In March 2023, 1,893 asylum applications were submitted in Switzerland, which is 212 more than the previous month (+12.6%). Compared to March 2022, the number of applications has increased by 580. Turkey and Afghanistan were the most represented countries. Additionally, 2,215 people who left Ukraine were granted temporary protection status during the month under consideration, according to Swiss newspaper Le Canton27.ch citing sources from ADM/SEM in Bern.
The main countries of origin of those who applied for asylum in Switzerland in March were Turkey (371 applications, 61 more than in February), Afghanistan (368 applications, +73), Eritrea (198 applications, +42), Morocco (166 applications, -13), and Algeria (108 applications, -51).
Out of the 1,893 asylum applications submitted in March, 1,429 were initial applications (February 2023: 1,350). Individuals who submit an initial application do so independently of other persons who have already applied for protection. Those who submitted such an application in March 2023 were mostly from Afghanistan (337, +60), Turkey (269, +33), Morocco (165, -14), Algeria (108, -50), and Eritrea (47, +16). On the other hand, subsequent applications follow already registered asylum applications (e.g. births, family reunions or multiple applications).
Asylum applications are resolved at the first level. The State Secretariat for Migration processed 2,307 asylum applications in March 2023. Of these, 662 resulted in a decision not to enter into the matter (including 540 under the Dublin Agreement), 542 in the granting of asylum, and 690 in temporary admission in the first instance. The number of unresolved cases at the first level is 11,972, which is 331 less than a month earlier, local media say.
Departures: In March, 1,531 people left Switzerland under the supervision of authorities or returned to their country of origin or to a third country. Switzerland has requested that Dublin states take care of 957 applicants. At the same time, 200 people were transferred to the responsible Dublin state for their asylum applications. Switzerland, for its part, received 487 requests for care from other Dublin states, and 65 people were transferred to its territory.
Ukraine: S protection status (special procedure) On March 12, 2022, the Federal Council activated S protection status for the first time, so that Switzerland could accept people from Ukraine who needed protection.
In March 2023, 2,094 people applied for S status at a federal center for asylum seekers. During the same period, this status was granted to 2,215 people, and denied to 50 others who did not meet the criteria.