Switzerland Increases Federal Funding for Integration Programmes for 2028–2032

What changed

The Swiss Federal Council has rejected the popular initiative 'Stop Asylum Abuse! (Border Protection Initiative)', which sought to impose systematic border controls and cap annual asylum grants at 5,000. On 18 September 2026, the Federal Council adopted a dispatch recommending to Parliament that the initiative be rejected without any counter-proposal. This decision applies nationwide in Switzerland and signifies the government's opposition to the initiative's far-reaching proposals.

What changed

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has awarded new contracts. These contracts are for care, medical services, and basic provisions in its federal asylum centres across Switzerland. These contracts start on 1 January 2027. ORS Service AG and Convalere AG secured the contracts. This followed a tender process that began on 5 May 2026. The new contracts aim to improve service quality. They will do this by adding regional management, specific childcare, and better staff training standards.

What changed

The Scottish Government has published a new strategy. It explains how it wants immigration to help Scotland's population, economy, and communities. The document says Scotland faces particular demographic pressures. These include an ageing population. It also needs to attract and keep people who can work and help local communities. The strategy suggests a more tailored way to manage immigration. This includes creating a Scottish Visa, a Rural Visa, and a Scottish Graduate Visa. It also asks for changes to the current UK immigration system. These changes would make the system better able to meet Scotland's economic and population needs. However, these are ideas for the UK Government. Scotland cannot issue these visas itself. The UK Government controls immigration and visa policy. So, the Scottish Government is asking Westminster to create or change immigration routes. This would better address Scotland's specific needs.

What changed

The Swiss Federal Council has started a public consultation. This is about changing the Ordinance on Admission, Residence and Employment (VZAE). The change will make the system for registering foreign guests at places to stay digital across Switzerland. This aims to make it easier to collect and send foreign guest information. Accommodation businesses will be able to send reports using computers. They will not need a guest's physical signature. The consultation for this plan began on 26 August 2026 and finishes on 27 November 2026.