Macedonians seeking asylum in Switzerland

The number of Macedonians seeking asylum in Switzerland drastically increased in February 2010. According to data of the Federal Migration Bureau, 166 Macedonians sought asylum in Switzerland in February alone. Macedonians seeking asylum in Switzerland In 2009, a total of 62 sought asylum in the country. Even though it is not an EU member-state, Switzerland is part of the Schengen Zone in which Serbian, Macedonian and Montenegrin citizens can now travel without visas. The Migration Bureau stated that the Macedonian asylum-seekers seem to be “misinformed” about gaining asylum status in the country. It was stated that “there are obviously rumors circulating in Macedonia that it is easy to receive working permits in Macedonia, and because of the poor economic situation, people obviously want to take advantage of this chance.” However, the Bureau recommends to those seeking asylum that it can “very easily check to see if there is a real reason for seeking asylum.” It was announced that procedures will be cut short and that the rejected asylum-seekers will be returned to their countries of origin faster than usual. The Swiss government already passed a decision for giving Macedonian asylum-seekers 100 francs to return to their homes, instead of the usual 500 francs (about EUR 350). This is aimed at decreasing the number of people who will want to try to gain asylum in Switzerland. The situation is similar in Belgium, in which 349 Macedonian citizens have asked for asylum in February alone.

Macedonians seeking asylum in Switzerland

In 2009, a total of 62 sought asylum in the country.

Even though it is not an EU member-state, Switzerland is part of the Schengen Zone in which Serbian, Macedonian and Montenegrin citizens can now travel without visas.

The Migration Bureau stated that the Macedonian asylum-seekers seem to be “misinformed” about gaining asylum status in the country.

It was stated that “there are obviously rumors circulating in Macedonia that it is easy to receive working permits in Macedonia, and because of the poor economic situation, people obviously want to take advantage of this chance.”

However, the Bureau recommends to those seeking asylum that it can “very easily check to see if there is a real reason for seeking asylum.”

It was announced that procedures will be cut short and that the rejected asylum-seekers will be returned to their countries of origin faster than usual.

The Swiss government already passed a decision for giving Macedonian asylum-seekers 100 francs to return to their homes, instead of the usual 500 francs (about EUR 350). This is aimed at decreasing the number of people who will want to try to gain asylum in Switzerland.

The situation is similar in Belgium, in which 349 Macedonian citizens have asked for asylum in February alone.