SEM resumes decisions on asylum applications from Syrians

Current rules

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will resume deciding on asylum applications from Syrian nationals on a case-by-case basis, effective 1 May 2026. The SEM no longer assumes a situation of general violence in all regions of Syria, allowing for the potential enforcement of deportations to these regions under specific favourable circumstances.

Overview

Effective 1 May 2026, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will restart processing asylum applications from Syrian nationals. This decision follows a period of suspension initiated after the December 2024 change of government in Syria, during which SEM updated its assessment of the country's situation. Individual assessments will now be conducted, and a return assistance programme for voluntary returns to Syria is being introduced.

What changed in the latest version

This policy change is important because it ends a halt on asylum decisions for Syrians. That halt started in December 2024. It directly affects around 850 first-time asylum applications that are waiting for a decision. Restarting individual case reviews means Syrian asylum seekers will no longer be waiting without knowing what will happen. However, they also risk getting a negative decision. They could also face being sent back to Syria, especially if their home region is considered safe. At the same time, a new programme to help people return is starting. This offers a clear, financially supported way for those who might choose to go back, or who are made to go back. This shows a move towards actively managing returns to Syria.

Explained simply

Imagine you're trying to figure out if someone should get help because they're in danger back home. For a while, Switzerland stopped making these decisions for people from Syria because things there were changing so fast after their government changed. Now, after looking closely at the situation and visiting the area, Switzerland has decided it can start making those decisions again from 1 May 2026. They'll look at each person's case individually, and they're also offering money to people who want to go back to Syria safely.

Frequently asked

Version history

1. v11Effective 1 May 2026EffectiveHigh impact
   SEM resumes decisions on asylum applications from Syrians

   From 1 May 2026, Switzerland's State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) will restart making decisions on asylum applications from Syrian citizens. This changes the policy from 9 December 2024, which stopped these decisions. That suspension was due to the uncertain situation after a change in the Syrian government. The SEM's new approach comes from findings from a fact-finding mission and other information. It concludes that widespread violence no longer affects all parts of Syria. This means the SEM can now assess each case individually. It also means people could be sent back to Syria. The SEM is also starting a new programme to help people return to Syria voluntarily. This programme offers an extra 1,000 Swiss Francs per person. This is on top of the money available from the EU Reintegration Programme (EURP), which is up to 2,600 Euros.