According to government statistics released today, the number of Swiss living abroad increased by 2.9% in 2016, reaching close to 775,000. This means around 1 in 9 Swiss nationals lives outside Switzerland. Growth in the number leaving has been accelerating. In previous years the growth rate was around 2%. At the end of 2015, there were 8,327,126 […]
Geneva plans to offer permits to thousands of illegal immigrants
Tribune de Genève. After more than 15 years, Geneva State councillor Pierre Maudet unveiled a plan code named operation Papyrus. The operation was negotiated with Switzerland’s federal government to regularise some of Geneva’s illegal immigrants, mainly domestic workers. Under the operation, 590 residence permits have already been granted. Pierre Maudet said “Papyrus is a roadmap for […]
Nearly 320,000 cross-border workers in Switzerland
20 Minutes. Foreign residents close to Switzerland’s borders continue to be drawn to the country to work. In 2016, the number of cross-border workers climbed by 11,300 to close to 320,000. After slowing, the number crossing into the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino is on the rise again. In 2011, there were 251,700 crossing into Switzerland […]
Dual nationals should give up one passport, says Swiss politician
20 Minutes. On 12 February 2017, Swiss will vote on whether to make it easier for third generation residents to become Swiss. The Swiss People’s Party (UDC/SVP) is firmly against the plan. Now UDC national councillor Erich Hess is voicing his annoyance at allowing naturalised foreigners to keep their other nationality. “We will never know […]
Swiss petition to ban Trump visiting fails to take off like the one in the UK
A Swiss petition to ban Trump visiting fails to take off like the one in the UK. A parliamentary petition in the UK attracted over one million signatures in a few days. By Sunday, 4 February 2017, over 1.8 million had signed it. UK parliament must discuss the issue and has scheduled to do so […]
Swiss-based Iranian researcher makes it to the US after third attempt
The last week has been difficult for Dr. Samira Asgari. She had packed her bags, moved out of her flat, said goodbye to her friends and was on her way to Harvard to continue her genomics research. At least that is what she thought. Last Saturday she arrived at Frankfort airport, ready to board a flight to Boston […]
Swiss threatened over Iranian researcher
20 Minutes. After being turned away from a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt to Boston last Saturday by a person in front of the Lufthansa gate, who introduced himself as a representative from the consulate of the United States of America, the Iranian Swiss-based researcher Dr. Samira Asgari, tried again, on 31 January 2017, to fly […]
Swiss foreign minister responds to Trump travel ban
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, […]
