Easing of visa requirements for relatives of Syrian nationals living in Switzerland

Given the dramatic situation in Syria, Swiss authorities put in place an easing of visa requirements for relatives of Syrian nationals living in Switzerland from September to December 2013 and extended the concept of family reunification beyond the members of the nuclear family (spouses and children up to age 18) to other relatives in ascending and descending order (grandparents, parents, children over the age of 18 and grandchildren). The easing of visa requirements also applied to brothers and sisters of Syrian nationals living in Switzerland as well as to the members of their nuclear family. Around 4700 Syrian nationals with relatives in Switzerland were able to enter Switzerland quickly and easily as a result of this measure.

On 6 March 2015 the Swiss Government adopted additional measures to protect Syrian citizens by allowing 3000 additional people to enter Switzerland over a maximum of three years. A maximum of 1000 people are granted the opportunity to apply for an entry visa for Switzerland. This measure only applies to immediate family members (spouse and underage children) of Syrian nationals who have already been admitted to Switzerland and are in possession of temporary residence permit. Another 2,000 people will be authorized to enter Switzerland over the course of three years by means of a resettlement programme in collaboration with the UNHCR.

For more information:

• https://www.sem.admin.ch/sem/en/home/asyl/resettlement/programme.html

GFMD 2014-2015 - Roundtable 3.1 "Enhancing human development and human security for forced migrants, who are compelled to cross international borders, through international cooperation on labor market access, educational opportunity, family reunification, and other avenues of mobility".