Switzerland to clarify rights of ‘provisionally admitted foreigners’
The range of Swiss permits, with the F, for provisionally admitted foreigners, at the end.
Keystone / Gaetan Bally
People in Switzerland holding an F permit are facing restricted travel options but better access to the Swiss job market, the government said on Wednesday.
This content was published on
1 minute
swissinfo.ch/dos
Español
es
Suiza esclarece los derechos de los extranjeros ‘admitidos provisionalmente’
The F permit provides temporary or provisional residency status for people who have not been granted asylum, but who also cannot be repatriated, usually for health or security reasons.
The new rules would prohibit F permit holders – “provisionally admitted foreigners” – from visiting their country of origin, unless it’s to prepare a permanent move back. Travelling without authorisation would lead to a loss of the permit and status.
The rules also prohibit travel to other countries, though case-by-case exceptions would be possible for the death of a family member, a school trip, or a training or professional visit.
The pending changes to the Federal Act on Foreign Nationals also state that F permit holders would be able to move from one canton to another for a job or educational purposes if they or their family are not receiving social aid.
The F permit has been debated and criticised by some as leading to a situation “in limbo”, while others have said it is granted too easily to people who should be sent home sooner.
The government also wrote on Wednesday that the term “provisionally admitted foreigners” – which has been criticised as misleading as such people often spend many years in Switzerland – is not going to be changed.
Parliament will have to ratify the modifications before they come into force.
Most Read Swiss Abroad
More
Gold-digging: why some Swiss bury their wealth in the garden
This content was published on
The "Dubai chocolate" has also caused a rush in Switzerland: queues formed outside the Lindt chocolate factory in Kilchberg, canton Zurich, on Saturday morning.
This content was published on
Stargazers currently have the chance to spot shooting stars in the night sky. Until November 30, the Leonid meteor shower is lighting up the darkness.
Nationalisation suggested to save Red Cross Museum
This content was published on
The director of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Museum in Geneva is calling for a national debate on the institution's future.
Climate: 224 Swiss companies announce CO2 reduction targets
This content was published on
A total of 224 companies from Switzerland have joined the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi), committing to CO2 reduction targets that are in line with the Paris Climate Agreement.
Swiss political class divided over reform of EU asylum pact
This content was published on
As a result of the EU's Migration and Asylum Pact, Switzerland must adapt five laws linked to the Schengen/Dublin agreements.
A life in limbo for Switzerland’s F permit holders
This content was published on
“Living in Switzerland with an F permit is like living in limbo,” say four asylum seekers who have been 'provisionally admitted' to the country.
This content was published on
By the beginning of June – before the summer season had even started – the number of migrants landing on the coasts of Italy and Greece had already exceeded 100,000. That is an unheard-of influx which indirectly affects Switzerland, the destination of choice of asylum seekers and the main point of access to Northern Europe.…
Join the conversation!