Asylum system Around 20 percent more asylum applications recorded in July
In July of this year, the federal government recorded around 20 percent more asylum applications than in the previous month. This means that almost as many applications were registered as at the same time a year ago, as the State Secretariat for Migration announced on Thursday.
15.08.2024, 11:09
SDA
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) recorded a total of 2264 applications in July of this year - 383 more than in June. According to the SEM, 521 of the new asylum applications were secondary applications. These were, for example, births, family reunifications or multiple applications that followed an already registered asylum application, the SEM also reported.
A total of 16,385 asylum applications have been registered so far in 2024. Of these, around 2,800 applications came from people from Afghanistan who, according to the SEM, were already in Switzerland and did not place an additional burden on the asylum structures. According to the State Secretariat, Afghanistan was also the most important country of origin for refugees in July 2024. Other important countries of origin were Turkey, Algeria and Eritrea.
Last month, the SEM was able to decide on 2,975 asylum applications in the first instance. Around a third of these were approved. 800 people without the right of residence left Switzerland independently. 400 people were returned.
In addition, the SEM registered fewer asylum seekers from Ukraine in July than expected. The federal government is therefore adjusting its forecast for the current year: It is now assuming 17,500 instead of 25,000 applications for S protection status. A total of 9,904 people from Ukraine have sought protection in Switzerland since the beginning of the year. 3528 applications were rejected.
