Changes to immigration policy in the United States have raised a number of practical travel questions. They have also ignited a far-reaching debate on values. Swiss foreign minister Didier Burkhalter said “From a practical point of view, I think it is up to the United States authorities to set the conditions for immigration into their […]
Swiss to vote on fast-track citizenship for third generation immigrants
On 12 February 2017, the Swiss electorate will vote on the Federal Decree on the Simplified Naturalisation of Third-Generation Immigrants. Switzerland is well known for its strict citizenship requirements. Currently, most foreign nationals must live in Switzerland for twelve years before applying, and prove they are well integrated. There are numerous young foreigners living in […]
More than 3,000 state beneficiaries in Geneva admit not declaring assets or other income
Tribune de Genève. Last October, Geneva state councillor Mauro Poggia, had his department send out close to 91,000 letters to those receiving social benefits, asking them to contact the authorities if they had failed to declare any assets or income. Laurent Paoliello, a spokesperson from the DEAS, said they received 3,200 letters back. So far, […]
Swiss-based scientist unable to go to Harvard because she is Iranian
20 Minutes. The executive order issued by the US president preventing those holding certain nationalities entering the US has caused travel chaos and upset the lives of many. Among them is Dr. Samira Asgari, a scientific researcher at EPFL in Lausanne. On Saturday, while trying to fly to the US, she was told she could not […]
Swiss naturalisation to cost less in Geneva
Tribune de Genève. Geneva’s government accepted changes to the laws on applying for Swiss citizenship last Friday. The changes mean the charge associated with applications will be determined by the costs of processing applications rather than the current system which calculates charges based on applicants’ income. The change, which will reduce the cost naturalisation, is […]
Asylum demands down 30 percent in Switzerland
20 Minutes. Switzerland received 27,207 requests for asylum in 2016, 31% fewer than the year before. In 2017, The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) expects around 24,500. The decline is related to the partial closure of the migration route through the Balkans, said SEM, particularly towards the end of the year. The number in December […]
What could the Chinese year of the fire rooster bring to Switzerland?
Every year in the Chinese lunar calendar is associated with one of 12 animals combined with one of five elements: metal (gold), earth, water, wood or fire. This year is the year of the fire rooster and celebrations to mark the new year take place on Saturday 28 January 2017. Roosters are hardworking, resourceful, courageous, […]
The number of cross-border workers in Geneva now exceeds 100,000
Tribune de Genève. According to the canton’s statistics office, the number of foreigners with permits allowing them to cross in to the canton of Geneva to work rose by 8.7% in 2016, reaching 104,272 by the end of December 2016. This is the highest number of G permit holders, or frontaliers, ever recorded in the canton. Because […]
Switzerland ranked number one at attracting and keeping talent, says study
This year’s 2017 Global Talent Competitiveness Index places Switzerland at the top. In addition, the study by the business school INSEAD, with input from the Adecco Group and the human capital leadership institute, puts Switzerland at or near the top on all six measures that make up the overall ranking of 118 nations. Switzerland excels […]
Muslim parents cannot exempt their daughters from mixed swimming classes
20 Minutes. Muslim parents living in Basel, who were opposed to mixed swimming classes at school, took their case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg. The case concerned the refusal of the parents to send their daughters, who had not reached the age of puberty, to compulsory mixed swimming lessons as part of […]
