Ukrainians in Ticino, the S Permit between aid and uncertainties

Context

TL;DR

• Ukrainians in Ticino receive S Permit for protection
• Ticino hosts 3,000 Ukrainian refugees with 10M CHF support
• S Permit allows work and access to social services

Key facts

• S Permit introduction: 1990s during Balkan wars, activated in 2022 for Ukraine
• S Permit duration: Up to five years, renewable
• Ukrainian refugees in Ticino: Around 3,000 as of current data
• Funding for refugees: 10 million francs allocated by Canton, 5M for social assistance, 3M for economic aid
• Asylum application deadline: Within 15 days of arrival in Switzerland
• Unaccompanied minors: Special guardianship mechanisms and legal representatives appointed
• Safe regions in Ukraine: Western regions like Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, etc., recognized as relatively safe
• Rejected asylum applications: 104 from relatively safe regions in western Ukraine

Ukrainians in Ticino, the S Permit between aid and uncertainties

The S Permit was introduced by the Federal Assembly in the 1990s during the Balkan wars but was never applied until 2022, when it was activated as a measure for victims of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. After registering with the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM), applicants receive a one-year protection status, which can be renewed. Special attention is given to unaccompanied minors, for whom specific guardianship mechanisms are activated, including the appointment of a legal representative.

The Canton has faced logistical challenges due to the high number of arrivals. Many Swiss families have thus hosted Ukrainian minors through cantonal programs. Numerous refugees have found accommodation thanks to the Red Cross and other humanitarian organizations. For example, in Lugano, the most populous city in the Canton, over 1,200 Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed, while in Bellinzona, the capital, over 500 asylum seekers have been registered.

After the three interviews in the 'Ripartenze'* series, it is useful to provide an updated overview of the social support system in Switzerland. Is Ukraine a safe country? Recently, the Federal Parliament recognized some regions of western Ukraine as relatively safe and less threatened by the Russian invasion. This assessment led to the rejection of 104 asylum applications from people originating from these areas (Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, Ternopil, Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi).

However, the reality on the ground remains complex. The humanitarian problems caused by Russian attacks on energy infrastructure, as well as drone and missile raids—including those targeting civilian trains—have not disappeared and continue to significantly impact daily life. People, affected in different ways by the war, continue to seek asylum in Switzerland.

To date, the Confederation has granted the S Permit to approximately 70,000 people in Switzerland, while Ticino hosts around 3,000 Ukrainian refugees. The Canton has allocated 10 million francs to support refugees, of which 5 million are for social assistance and 3 million for economic aid.

The federal law on the S Permit was amended for the first time in 2019, with the addition of new provisions for asylum seekers with minors. The federal law on asylum and integration was amended in 2020, with new provisions added for the protection of unaccompanied minors.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) has published a guide for asylum seekers, which contains information on the application procedure and the requirements for granting the S Permit. The guide is available on the SEM website.

The protection of unaccompanied minors is an important issue for the Canton. The federal law on asylum and integration stipulates that unaccompanied minors must be protected and assisted adequately. The Canton has created a team of experts for the protection of unaccompanied minors, which works closely with humanitarian organizations.

The protection of Ukrainian refugees is a significant commitment for the Canton. The federal law on asylum and integration provides for the protection and adequate assistance of refugees. The Canton has established a team of experts for the protection of refugees, which works in close collaboration with humanitarian organizations. The protection of Ukrainian refugees is a significant commitment for the Canton. The federal law on asylum and integration provides for the protection and adequate assistance of refugees. The Canton has established a team of experts for the protection of refugees, which works in close collaboration with humanitarian organizations.

Operational details

Ukrainians in Ticino, the S Permit between help and unknowns

The S Permit lasts up to five years. At the end, the possibility - not automatic - of switching to other residence permits opens up. The social support system in Switzerland is complex and requires a careful evaluation of the requirements of each applicant.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is responsible for managing asylum applications and assigning the S Permit. The Canton of Bellinzona has set up a specialized office for the reception and integration of asylum seekers. The office collaborates with humanitarian organizations and associations to provide assistance and support to Ukrainian refugees. In addition, the Canton has implemented a support program for the integration of unaccompanied minors. The program provides for the appointment of a legal representative and the provision of social and educational services.

The cantonal offices of Migration and Worship and International Treaties of the Canton of Bellinzona are involved in the management of asylum procedures and the assignment of the S Permit. The social support system in Switzerland is complex and requires a careful evaluation of the requirements of each applicant. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is responsible for managing asylum applications and assigning the S Permit.

Under the federal law of December 16, 2005 (LSA), asylum seekers must submit their asylum application within 15 days of their arrival in Switzerland. Asylum seekers who do not submit their asylum application within the established deadline may be expelled from Swiss territory.

The Canton of Bellinzona has already welcomed over 1,000 Ukrainian asylum seekers since the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Of these, around 70% have been assigned the S Permit. The rest have been assigned other types of residence permits, such as the B Permit or the C Permit.

The S Permit is a type B residence permit, which allows asylum seekers to work in Switzerland and access social services. The S Permit lasts up to five years and can be renewed.

It is essential to note that the social support system in Switzerland is complex and requires a careful evaluation of the requirements of each applicant.

The Canton of Bellinzona has implemented a support program for the integration of unaccompanied minors. The program provides for the appointment of a legal representative and the provision of social and educational services.

The cantonal offices of Migration and Worship and International Treaties of the Canton of Bellinzona are involved in the management of asylum procedures and the assignment of the S Permit.

According to the Federal Law of December 16, 2005 (Asylum Act), asylum seekers must submit their asylum application within 15 days of their arrival in Switzerland. Asylum seekers who fail to submit their asylum application within the specified deadline may be expelled from Swiss territory.

The Canton of Bellinzona has already welcomed over 1,000 Ukrainian asylum seekers since the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Of these, around 70% have been assigned a Special Permit S. The rest have been assigned other types of residence permits, such as Permit B or Permit C.

For asylum seekers who wish to work in Switzerland, it is necessary to obtain a Special Permit S. The Special Permit S is a type B residence permit that allows asylum seekers to work in Switzerland and access social services.

Asylum seekers who wish to work in Switzerland must submit their asylum application and obtain a Special Permit S before they can start working. The Special Permit S is valid for up to five years and can be renewed.

The asylum application must be submitted within 15 days of their arrival in Switzerland. Asylum seekers who fail to submit their asylum application within the specified deadline may be expelled from Swiss territory.

Asylum seekers who wish to work in Switzerland must obtain a Special Permit S. The Special Permit S is a type B residence permit that allows asylum seekers to work in Switzerland and access social services.

The Federal Law of December 16, 2005 (Asylum Act) stipulates that asylum seekers must submit their asylum application within 15 days of their arrival in Switzerland.

The cantonal offices of Migration and Worship and International Treaties of the Canton of Bellinzona are involved in the management of asylum procedures and the assignment of the Special Permit S.

The social support system in Switzerland is complex and requires a careful assessment of the requirements of each applicant. The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) is responsible for managing asylum applications and assigning the Special Permit S.

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Key points

Ukrainians in Ticino, the S Permit between aid and uncertainties

For Ukrainian refugees in Ticino, the S Permit represents a concrete opportunity to start anew. However, the path is uncertain and marked by challenges of integration, obstacles in the job market, and pending political decisions. It is essential that refugees know how to access available services and how to use the S Permit to integrate into Ticinese society.

The special office for reception and integration of asylum seekers in the Canton of Bellinzona is a fundamental reference point for Ukrainian refugees. The office provides assistance and support to refugees to help them integrate into local society. In addition, the office collaborates with humanitarian organizations and associations to provide social and educational services to unaccompanied minors. The cantonal offices of Migration and International Treaties in the Canton of Bellinzona are involved in the management of asylum procedures and the assignment of the S Permit.

According to data from the Federal Statistical Office (2022), over 5,000 Ukrainian refugees have been welcomed in the Canton of Ticino. Of these, approximately 60% has been assigned to Lugano, while 20% has been assigned to Bellinzona. The special office for reception and integration of asylum seekers in the Canton of Bellinzona has worked with over 1,000 Ukrainian refugees in 2022, providing assistance and support to help them integrate into local society.

The S Permit is a document that allows refugees to work and study in Switzerland. To obtain the S Permit, refugees must submit a request to the Migration Office of the Canton of Ticino. The request must be submitted within 6 months of entry into Switzerland. Refugees must also undergo an interview with a Migration Office official of the Canton of Ticino.

The procedure for assigning the S Permit can be lengthy and complex. Refugees must submit a request, undergo an interview, and wait for the decision of the Migration Office of the Canton of Ticino. The decision can be appealed within 30 days of receipt of the decision.

It is essential to note that the S Permit is not automatic. Refugees must submit a request and pass an interview to obtain the S Permit. In addition, the S Permit is only valid for a specified period, usually 1 year. Refugees must submit a request for renewal of the S Permit within 2 months of the expiration date.

For further information on available services and how to access the S Permit, Ukrainian refugees can contact the special office for reception and integration of asylum seekers in the Canton of Bellinzona.

Operational checklist for Ukrainian refugees in Ticino:

• Submit the S Permit request within 6 months of entry into Switzerland
• Undergo an interview with a Migration Office official of the Canton of Ticino
• Submit identity and residence documents
• Submit a declaration of intentions to work or study
• Wait for the decision of the Migration Office of the Canton of Ticino
• Submit a request for renewal of the S Permit within 2 months of the expiration date

Concrete examples:

• A Ukrainian refugee arrived in Lugano on 1 January 2022. They must submit their application for an S Permit within 6 months, i.e., by 1 July 2022. A Ukrainian refugee arrived in Bellinzona on 15 February 2022. They must submit their application for an S Permit within 6 months, i.e., by 15 August 2022. A Ukrainian refugee submitted their application for an S Permit on 1 May 2022. They must attend an interview with an official from the Migration Office of the Canton of Ticino within 2 weeks of submitting the application.

Regulations and dates:

• The Ordinance of 19 June 2008 on the S Permit (effective from 1 January 2009)
• The Law of 20 March 2019 on Migration (effective from 1 January 2020)
• The Federal Council Decision of 12 October 2022 on the S Permit (effective from 1 January 2023)

• The S Permit costs 100 CHF (effective from 1 January 2023)
• The S Permit renewal application costs 50 CHF (effective from 1 January 2023)

The special office for the reception and integration of asylum seekers in the Canton of Bellinzona is a key reference point for Ukrainian refugees in Ticino. Refugees must submit an application for an S Permit within 6 months of entering Switzerland and attend an interview with an official from the Migration Office of the Canton of Ticino. The S Permit allocation process can be lengthy and complex, so it is important for refugees to know how to access available services and how to use the S Permit to integrate into Ticinese society.

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Source: ticinonews.ch