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Practice Adjustment Western Ukraine: Overview of First Implementation Phase

🇨🇭 SwitzerlandAsylum1 recorded versionLast change 2 Apr 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

Since 1 November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) differentiates between regions in Ukraine when processing applications for Protection Status S. Applicants from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi) generally no longer have a right to Protection Status S in Switzerland, as return to these regions is considered generally reasonable due to the security situation. This rule applies to new applications and those submitted before 1 November 2025, that had not yet been decided.

Overview

The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) implemented a policy change on 1 November 2025, distinguishing between Ukrainian regions where return is deemed reasonable for asylum seekers. Consequently, individuals from seven specific Western Ukrainian regions are generally no longer entitled to Protection Status S. This adjustment applies to both new and previously submitted, undecided applications.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Applicants for Protection Status S in Switzerland from Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi regions in Western Ukraine

What changed in the latest version

Before

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) did not treat regions in Ukraine differently when deciding who could get Protection Status S. This was based on the general security situation for return.

After

Since 1 November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) treats regions in Ukraine differently when it processes applications for Protection Status S. People who applied from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine – Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi – usually no longer qualify for Protection Status S in Switzerland. This is because Switzerland now believes it is generally safe enough to return to these regions. This rule applies to new applications and to applications submitted before 1 November 2025 that had not yet been decided.

This policy matters because it makes it much harder for people from certain Western Ukrainian regions to get Protection Status S in Switzerland. People now have to prove why it is not safe for them to return as individuals. This change shows that the government, through Motion Friedli (24.3378), re-evaluated the security in parts of Ukraine. It might lead to more refused applications and removals for the affected people. The rule also applies to past applications. This creates uncertainty for people who applied under the old rules and makes processing many cases take longer because more checks are needed.

Explained simply

Imagine Switzerland used to let everyone from Ukraine stay because it wasn't safe there. Now, they've looked closely at Western Ukraine and decided that some parts are safe enough for people to go back to. So, if you're from one of these seven specific regions in Western Ukraine, Switzerland might say you can't get a special protection status anymore, and you might have to go back. This rule started on 1 November 2025, and applies even if you applied before that date but hadn't gotten a decision yet.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v12Effective 1 Nov 2025EffectiveHigh impact
    Practice Adjustment Western Ukraine: Overview of First Implementation Phase

    From 1 November 2025, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) changed its policy. This change treats Ukrainian regions differently for Protection Status S eligibility. People from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine – Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi – usually no longer qualify for Protection Status S in Switzerland. This is because Switzerland believes it is safe enough to return to these areas. This new rule affects both new applications and applications submitted before 1 November 2025 that were still waiting for a decision. By late February, this change directly affected 573 people.

Timeline

  1. Announced

    2 Apr 2026

    The Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) implemented a policy change on 1 November 2025, distinguishing between Ukrainian regions where return is deemed reasonable for asylum seekers. Consequently, individuals from seven specific Western Ukrainian regions are generally no longer entitled to Protection Status S. This adjustment applies to both new and previously submitted, undecided applica

  2. Takes effect

    1 Nov 2025

    Since 1 November 2025, the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) differentiates between regions in Ukraine when processing applications for Protection Status S. Applicants from seven specific regions in Western Ukraine (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Transcarpathia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi) generally no longer have a right to Protection Status S in Switzerland, as return to these regions i

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