Publications

State Secretariat for Migration. An Overview (2025)

State Secretariat for Migration SEM determines the conditions under which a person may enter, live and work in Switzerland. It also decides whether a person is granted protection from persecution. It works with the cantons to organize the accommodation of asylum seekers and the return of those who are not in need of protection. SEM also coordinates integration efforts and is responsible for naturalisation at federal level. In addition, it works to coordinate migration flows at international level.

Download (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)

Other languages:

German (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)
Französisch (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)
Italienisch (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)

Migration Report 2024

Discover the facts that shaped the year 2024 in terms of migration.

Foreign Population and Asylum Statistics 2024

General information for asylum seekers – asylum-info.ch

People who apply for asylum usually find themselves in new and unfamiliar surroundings and are confronted with complex legal proceedings. They therefore require a lot of information when they enter a federal asylum centre.

To meet this need for information, the State Secretariat for Migration SEM has developed the asylum-info.ch app containing general information in 12 languages on the asylum procedure, the federal asylum centres, life in Switzerland and healthcare. The text content can be read aloud by using the webReader function. Explanatory videos go into more detail on individual topics.

The app also contains specific information about individual asylum centres, including the times asylum seekers are allowed to go out, the distribution of pocket money and activities for adults and children. The content can only be accessed on the asylum centre’s WLAN.

Federal asylum centres. Questions and answers (2025)

The brochure answers frequently asked questions about federal asylum centres. Interested parties can find out how the asylum procedure works, how a location for a federal asylum centre is selected, what the daily routine of asylum seekers in the centres looks like, and much more.

This brochure is not available in English.

Other languages:

German (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)
Französisch (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)
Italienisch (PDF, 1 MB, 13.08.2025)

Brochure for refugees and temporarily admitted persons (2019)

The brochure contains basic information in simple terms on topics such as status, legal provisions, permits for foreigners, place of residence, changing cantons, travel abroad, bringing family members to Switzerland, integration, schools, employment, vocational training, health, social insurance, taxes and welfare assistance.

The brochure was updated with regard to the entry into force of the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act (FNIA) on 1 January 2019.

Information brochure for people seeking protection (2023)

The brochure provides concise information in language that is easy to understand on the topics of status, legal provisions, identity documents, place of residence, change of canton, travel abroad, family reunification, integration, integration support, education, employment, further education, health, social insurance and social welfare support.

The information is also available online at integration-info.ch.  

Documentary "Return for the future? Stories and voices of Return Assistance" (2018)

In the film various people talk about asylum and return, describing the conflicting interests, challenges and possibilities of return assistance. Three case studies show how those involved cope with returning to their home country.

Basic information for immigrants: «integration-info» app

From cultural particularities to school, and from the world of work to our healthcare and political system – the ‘integration-info’ app contains lots of useful information about life in Switzerland. In addition to a general section, the app also has a specific section for people going through asylum proceedings in Switzerland and those with S status.

The application is available in 18 languages and certain topics are presented as videos. App users will also find many useful addresses and links to integration offices in the various cantons and cities, as well as to the cantonal migration and labour authorities. The app is constantly being developed and updated. A read-aloud function and further videos are planned.

www.integration-info.ch

Welcome to Switzerland: Information for new residents arriving from abroad (2020)

The information is also available digitally at integration-info.ch.

Study: The population of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Switzerland (2014)

Swiss Social insurance system: Sojourn in Switzerland and departure

Information for foreign nationals

The pamphlet explains the elements of the Swiss social insurance systems, i.e. the Swiss old-age, survivors’ and disability insurance (AHV/IV, 1st pillar) and the occupational benefit plans (2nd pillar). It gives you practical information when planning your definitive departure from Switzerland.

Strategy for Integrated Border Management (2023)

The aim of Integrated Border Management (IBM) is to manage the Schengen external borders effectively, efficiently and in an orderly manner, in order to make these borders more secure by conducting better controls, while at the same time keeping borders as open as possible for legal travellers.

Integrated Border Management – Final Report (2012)

On 1 June 2012, the Federal Council approved the IBM Strategy jointly formulated by federal and cantonal representatives. The strategy consolidates all federal and cantonal activities to combat illegal migration, human trafficking and transnational crime. A further purpose of the strategy is to facilitate border-crossing for people entering Switzerland legitimately.