Switzerland will accept refugees from Ukraine under simplified administrative procedures only if the asylum seekers are exposed to real danger in their homeland, DPA reported, BTA reported.
All others will have to go through the proper asylum procedure, the Swiss government announced today. However, Switzerland wants to coordinate its actions with the EU and consultations with local authorities are still expected. The new measures are expected to come into force in the fall.
The State Secretariat for Migration (SSM) will now distinguish between so-called "safe" and "dangerous" areas when processing asylum applications from people who came from the war in Ukraine. "According to the current assessment of the SDF, there is currently intense fighting in several areas in the western part of the country", the Swiss government said.
Ukrainian refugees already on Swiss territory will not be affected by the new rules. However, they will also face stricter requirements. It is planned to revoke the special refugee status of any Ukrainian who returns to their homeland for more than 15 days within six months. The maximum period allowed so far was 15 days within four months.
There are currently around 69,000 Ukrainian citizens with special refugee status living in Switzerland.