S status in Switzerland is granted to people who seek asylum in the country.
Which Ukrainians can obtain protection status S in Switzerland and how to do it correctly in 2025 – read in the ICTV Facts material.
What does protection status S in Switzerland entail?
The S protection status requires obtaining an S permit. It is valid for one year, but can be extended. Also, after five years, persons in need of protection can obtain a B residence permit, which is valid until the temporary protection is cancelled.
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An application for an extension of the S permit must be submitted no earlier than three months and no later than 14 days before its expiry. The migration office of the relevant canton where the person was assigned after registration is responsible for their extension.
Returning to Ukraine in this case is not prohibited. Persons with protection status S, as a rule, can enter Ukraine for 15 days within three months. It is the date of border crossing (round trip) that is important for calculating the duration of stay.
If a person seeking protection in Switzerland returns to Ukraine for more than 15 days in any quarter, the SEM may revoke his temporary protection status in Switzerland.
If a person with protection status S plans to travel abroad, then the social security department in the community of residence must be notified of their absence. Prior travel permission from the SEM is not required .
A person may lose their temporary protection status in Switzerland if they are found to have actually resided in another country for more than two months.
Who is eligible for S status in Switzerland
According to the general decision of the Federal Council of 11 March 2022, persons seeking protection are granted temporary protection in Switzerland unless they have grounds for refusal.
The following people can obtain S status in Switzerland:
- Citizens of Ukraine seeking protection and their family members (partners, minor children and other close relatives who were fully or partially dependent at the time of flight) who resided in Ukraine before February 24, 2022.
- Persons of other nationalities and stateless persons seeking protection and their family members who had international or national protection status in Ukraine before February 24, 2022.
- Persons of other nationalities and stateless persons seeking protection and their family members who can prove, through a valid short-term residence permit or permanent residence permit, that they have a valid right to reside in Ukraine and cannot safely and permanently return to their country of origin.
What does protection status S provide in Switzerland?
With S status, you are allowed to leave the country and return again without the need for additional travel documents.
People who receive this status can immediately begin working officially or become self-employed.
The SEM compensates the cantons with a total lump sum payment of approximately CHF 1,500 (Swiss francs), i.e. UAH 78,366.28 per person per month (including health insurance contributions).
Once refugees have arrived in Switzerland, cantonal authorities may issue free public transport tickets to refugees who need to participate in administrative procedures.
How to get S protection status in Switzerland
People seeking protection and already in Switzerland can apply online via the RegisterMe web portal and make an appointment for further registration.
To obtain protection status S, you must go to the Federal Asylum Centre (BAZ) in Urtenen-Schönbühli upon entering the country and register.
SEM collects personal data and fingerprints, checks each application separately (security check and confirmation that the person is entitled to protection). After registration, the person is assigned to a specific canton.
If a person leaves the country, he or she must submit a written statement and renounce temporary protection.
Granting Ukrainian refugees protection status S prevents the Swiss asylum system from becoming overwhelmed. It ensures that refugees from Ukraine receive the necessary protection quickly and officially, with a minimum of bureaucracy.
Refugees from Ukraine who are not granted S status can apply for asylum in Switzerland.
Source: Federal Council
