Information about humanitarian visa:
Swiss humanitarian visa for vulnerable Afghans are issued by the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM). To qualify for a Swiss humanitarian visa, a person’s physical life must be directly, seriously, and materially at risk. The connection to Switzerland is an important factor.
The application must be submitted in person at the Swiss representation (embassy or consulate).
The answer of the Swiss representation regarding the humanitarian visa
- In principle, you cannot apply for asylum from outside Switzerland, so the created conditions are exceptional
- People can apply for a humanitarian visa who are in serious, real and sensitive danger, so the person’s case must be personal, for example, the description of the general situation, even just being a member of a special minority in Afghanistan, is not acceptable, and the person must have created a danger for himself. (It should not be guessed that, for example, I was one of the translators, so my life is definitely in danger, he must prove this matter accurately)
- A person has a relationship with Switzerland. This relationship can be personal or governmental. People who applied for asylum in Switzerland for the family reunification process must follow the defined methods of reunification and not humanitarian.
- The cases of people from inside Afghanistan will not be processed unless they leave this country at the appointed time, which means that Switzerland cannot take any action for the departure of people.
Admission requirements Or Prerequisites:
A humanitarian visa is issued only if you meet the following conditions:
- The person’s life or physical integrity is in direct, serious and tangible danger
- This person is clearly at direct risk and is not at risk simply because he belongs to a potentially at-risk group.
- This person has no other option and their personal situation requires the immediate intervention of the Swiss authorities.
Other important factors
- Connection to Switzerland
- There is a prospect of integration
- It is not possible to get support in another country
Procedure
step 1. Make an appointment
Applicants for a humanitarian visa to enter Switzerland must contact the Swiss representation abroad directly and book an appointment. This can be an embassy or a consulate.
Book an appointment by email, including the following information:
- A sentence that says you want to apply for a humanitarian visa
- Surname, name and date of birth of all persons applying for humanitarian visa
- If applicable, surname, first name, date of birth and address of each family member residing in Switzerland
step 2. Submit the application
The appointment at a representation is very short, so it is important for you to make sure you are well prepared. You must bring the following documents with you:
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Copy of the email confirming the appointment
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Signed visa application form, duly completed in German, French, Italian or English
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Travel document (passport or identity card)
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Copy of the travel document
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Two recent identical biometric passport photos
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Detailed excerpt from the family register
- Covering letter (explaining your situation)
step 3. Your application will be checked
The process of application takes time and to check an application can vary greatly, as the processing depends on your situation and current location. It can take one day to several months.
Useful info
There may be security checks at the representations in Beirut, Cairo and Amman, Islamabad and Tehran, which can lead to longer waiting times.
Costs
The Swiss consulate does not charge a fee for a humanitarian visa. But applying for a visa can be very expensive. Because if you are in Afghanistan, you have to make a long and dangerous journey in a third country. You must also arrange and pay for the translation of your application documents. If the agency must arrange an interpreter, you may be asked to cover the costs.
How to apply ?
The FDFA website lists the addresses and contact details of Swiss representations abroad.
You can find the application form on the State Secretariat for Migration website. Use the national type D visa application form (long-term residency).
Click on the links below to download the guidance of humanitarian visa and covering letter:
Information-about-humanitarian-visas-afghanistan-dari
Humanitarian-visa-guidance-for-the-covering-letter
For more information click here