Bern, 03.11.2022 - People expelled from Ukraine by the war will receive protection status S in Switzerland. The Federal Council took this decision on March 11, 2022 so that these people quickly receive a right of residence without having to go through a ordinary asylum procedure. During the consultation, the activation of protection status S was unanimously approved.
In two weeks, more than two million people left Ukraine towards the Schengen area. The Federal Council expects that more and more of them will also come to Switzerland in search of protection. Ukrainians can enter the Schengen area without a visa and stay there for up to 90 days.
To grant protection to refugees quickly and without bureaucratic complications, the Federal Council has activated protection status S for the first time, from Saturday March 12, 2022. This status makes it possible to grant collective protection to a specific group for duration of a serious threat, particularly in the event of war. The right of residence in Switzerland is limited to one year but can be extended. S status allows family reunification and largely corresponds to the solution adopted by EU member states.
Adaptations regarding access to employment and freedom to travel
S status will be given to Ukrainians and their families, but also to nationals of third countries driven out by the war, on the condition that they had a valid legal residence permit in Ukraine before leaving and that they cannot unable to return safely and sustainably to their country of origin. S status will not be granted to people who have already obtained protection status in another EU state.
In the ordinance, the Federal Council adapted certain points of protection status S as defined in the asylum law. The three-month period before being able to work is eliminated. The Federal Council also authorizes the exercise of an independent gainful activity. Full access to the job market and school is guaranteed. The State Secretariat for Migration is currently examining with the cantons whether measures to encourage language learning should be put in place. Finally, people benefiting from S status will be able to travel freely.
Wide support from cantons, municipalities, towns and aid organizations
The Federal Council had already decided in favor of activating the S status on March 4, 2022, subject to the results of the consultation launched with cantons, municipalities, cities, mutual aid organizations and the Agency of the United Nations for refugees. A large majority of the circles consulted explicitly approved the introduction of protection status S for people fleeing Ukraine and the adaptations relating to the exercise of gainful activity and the freedom to travel.

The Social Center for the Integration of Refugees (CSIR)

Assignment

The Social Center for the Integration of Refugees (CSIR) is attached to the General Directorate of Social Cohesion (DGCS) of the Department of Health and Social Action (DSAS) of the State of Vaud. The CSIR is competent to offer social support and grant integration income to refugees admitted to Switzerland (permit B and permit F), in accordance with the Vaud Social Action Law (LASV). It also takes care of Swiss citizens returning from abroad after more than 10 years or having been repatriated by the Confederation.

The CSIR has its offices in Lausanne and a branch in Montreux.

Social support

The CSIR provides social support in order to promote the social integration and professional integration of refugees.

Learn more about support and onboarding programs

This social support is aimed at:

statutory refugees and stateless persons benefiting from a residence or establishment authorization for a maximum of five years from the date of entry into Switzerland.
refugees benefiting from provisional admission for a maximum of seven years from the date of entry into Switzerland.
stateless persons benefiting from provisional admission for a maximum of seven years from the date of entry into Switzerland.

Financial aid

The CSIR welcomes and issues the integration income.

To find out more or to apply for integration income

This financial assistance is aimed at:

Swiss nationals returning from abroad after a stay of more than 10 years until registration for residents' control.
Swiss nationals repatriated by the Confederation.
Swiss nationals returning from abroad who have never lived in Switzerland.

Integration policy

The social integration policy for refugees in the Canton of Vaud is based on the following principles:

Social action aims for autonomy, as great, as sustainable and as quickly as possible.
Social support is made up of interventions limited in time, meets objectives and takes place according to a personalized action plan.
Social support is led and coordinated by a social worker, who if necessary calls upon specialists by area of intervention.

Projects and news

Read news from the CSIR and the Directorate General of Social Cohesion

UKRAINE: PRESS RELEASE FROM THE CANTON OF VAUD

infobox-migration.ch platform: reference information for volunteers. The Infobox Migration platform provides an overview of information, advisory services and events related to volunteering and migration. The articles redirect users to the corresponding sites. The platform provides answers to many questions, including: how does the asylum system work? Who does family reunification apply to? How to communicate on an equal footing?

https://www.infobox-migration.ch/fr

Legal bases

More information on the legal bases

Support for Ukrainian families

OFFICIAL STATE OF VAUD WEBSITE

www.vd.ch/ukraine

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