IBM Action Plan

Working closely with the authorities concerned, SEM has developed the Integrated Border Management (IBM) Action Plan to put the IBM Strategy into practice. The Action plan is designed to be constantly evolving. This way, the action plan can be continuously adapted to changing challenges in the migration and security sector, providing flexibility when implementing measures and documenting the work of border control officers. Thus, it is available exclusively in electronic form (on this website) and not in print or printable form.

The IBM Action Plan describes all the measures that need to be implemented to realise the IBM Strategy. It is regularly reviewed and adapted to the situation on the ground – in particular to current developments in migration, security and other challenges faced by border control authorities. Having an adaptive action plan in place makes it possible to consider current and future challenges in border management in a way that is modern, comprehensive and in line with EU recommendations. It also takes into account the lessons learned from the previous action plan.

The IBM Action Plan is built on two pillars: the key measures and the standard measures, which are listed in the action plan’s table of measures.

Key measures

Working closely with the authorities concerned, SEM has developed the Integrated Border Management (IBM) Action Plan to put the IBM Strategy into practice. The Action plan is designed to be constantly evolving. This way, the action plan can be continuously adapted to changing challenges in the migration and security sector, providing flexibility when implementing measures and documenting the work of border control officers. Thus, it is available exclusively in electronic form (on this website) and not in print or printable form.

The IBM Action Plan describes all the measures that need to be implemented to realise the IBM Strategy. It is regularly reviewed and adapted to the situation on the ground – in particular to current developments in migration, security and other challenges faced by border control authorities. Having an adaptive action plan in place makes it possible to consider current and future challenges in border management in a way that is modern, comprehensive and in line with EU recommendations. It also takes into account the lessons learned from the previous action plan.

The IBM Action Plan is built on two pillars: the key measures and the standard measures, which are listed in the action plan’s table of measures.

Standard measures

The action plan’s standard measures are short-term tasks or projects to meet the objectives of the third IBM Strategy.

A standard measure is a task an authority carries out that goes beyond what is legally required of them. What is not meant here are core day-to-day activities that are carried out to meet a legal mandate (e.g. border checks), but rather measures that make it possible to more easily, simply and effectively meet such a mandate. Standard measures must be limited in time; they are considered completed when the improvements have been successfully made. In short, they are tasks and/or support projects carried out in order to facilitate the fulfilment of traditional border management tasks (e.g. setting up Automated Border Control (ABC) Gates at airports).

The following is a list of criteria for a task or project to be considered a standard measure:

• A task or project aimed at realising the third IBM Strategy objectives;
• that is not considered ‘daily business’ and not expressly required by law;
• and that is limited in time.

SEM will continuously update its list of standard measures based on the information it receives from the responsible authorities. The standard measures are an important part of the action plan and are published in the table hereafter. The cantons and federal authorities with border management responsibilities will implement and manage their projects themselves and periodically report back to SEM. Both key measures and standard measures will contribute equally to the realisation of the third IBM Strategy’s objectives, and together form the IBM Action Plan.

Monitoring and updating intervals of the action plan

The action plan is updated in intervals that are synchronised with the meetings of the Border Steering Group. In principle, this occurs every six months. In these meetings, the relevant authorities are invited to present the progress of their respective projects. Where appropriate, the SEM actively monitors and informs the public about developments in the dynamic action plan directly on the website.