September 4 () –
Swiss authorities announced on Wednesday that they will extend until March 2026 the protection status for Ukrainian refugees in the face of the advancing Russian invasion, allowing these citizens to extend their temporary residence permit in the country.
The decision was made after a Cabinet meeting, considering that “a sustainable stabilization of the situation in Ukraine is not foreseen” in the near future. Thus, all support measures stipulated for these people under the status known as ‘S’ are also extended.
Protection includes the right to work, especially as a self-employed person, to have insurance and to send children to school, as well as the possibility of travelling freely within the country and beyond its borders. It also facilitates family unification.
The status is valid until it is revoked by the Federal Council, as the government explained in a statement, in which it pointed out that the “prerequisite for revocation is stabilization” on Ukrainian territory, which implies that the existing “threat” must disappear. However, it regretted that “military actions are still to be expected throughout the territory of Ukraine.”
In order to maintain this status, the Swiss government has stressed the importance of coordinating its actions with the member countries of the European Union, given that Switzerland is part of the Schengen area.
The Swiss State Office for Migration estimates that 66,195 Ukrainians had refugee status.
Add Comment