legal and social conditions for asylum seekers and refugees in ...

Applications from abroad
Section 20 of the Asylum Law provides for the possibility of submitting an application for asylum
in Switzerland via a Swiss diplomatic representation abroad. The diplomatic representation must
send the application together with a report to the Federal Office for Refugees.
In principle, applications filed abroad will only be considered if the applicant is able to state
convincing reasons for leaving his/her country of origin and to demonstrate previous ties to
Switzerland.
Entry into Switzerland in order to process the application may be allowed by the FOR if it is not
reasonable to expect that the applicant stays in his/her country of nationality or residence and if
he/she cannot go to another country.
Family reunification
Convention refugees and persons under temporary protection are entitled to family reunification
with members of their nuclear family. Reunification may also be allowed with other family
members if they are dependent of the persons staying in Switzerland.
Persons with provisional admission, under certain conditions, may apply for family reunification
three years after the decision on their asylum claim.
Other aliens, provided that they have a residence permit in Switzerland, may also be granted
family reunification. This is, however, subject to income, housing and work criteria.
Asylum seekers are not entitled to family reunification.
Statistics (source: Federal Office for Refugees)
Number of asylum seekers
No. of applications submitted in Switzerland
1992 17,960
1993 24,739
1994 16,134
1995 17,021
1996 18,001
1997 23,982
1998 41,302
1999 46,068
Number of statuses granted
Convention status Humanitarian status
1992 1,410 6,670
1993 3,830 12,240
1994 2,940 13,830
1995 2,650 11,940
1996 2,270 8,170
1997 2,640 5,980
1998 2,030 3,476
1999 2,050 25,555
295
Switzerland