On November 1, 2023, the Federal Council decided not to lift the protection status S for Ukrainian refugees before March 4, 2025, unless the situation changes fundamentally before then. For the first time, it has also defined a target for labour market integration: By the end of 2024, 40 per cent of persons capable of employment with protection status S should be in work. The currently level is about 20%.
Protection status S has been granted to Ukrainian refugees since March 12, 2022. The specific support measures for people with protection status S (Programme S), which were first adopted on April 13, 2022 and extended on November 9, 2022, will also be extended until March 4, 2025. The Swiss federal government contributes CHF 3000 per person per year to these measures, in particular for language courses, which is paid to the cantons in stages.
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue monitoring developments and sharing updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.