For people who had to leave Ukraine

In principle, Ukrainian citizens holding a biometric passport are permitted to travel to the Schengen area and Switzerland without a visa for up to 90 days. As per 28 February 2022, Ukrainian citizens are permitted to enter Switzerland without a biometric passport or visa.

The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) prepared an FAQ for questions concerning asylum practice and residency status in Switzerland.

People from Ukraine who had to leave their home country because of the war are eligible for Protection Status S in Switzerland. This was decided by the Federal Council on 11 March 2022. With protected status S, refugees receive a right of residence without having to go through a regular asylum procedure. More information (in German, French and Italian only)

The University of Bern offers the possibility of a simplified admission process for students from Ukrainian universities. More information

A Slavic scholar and historian of Eastern Europe offers free services as a translator and interpreter. She speaks Russian, Ukrainian, Polish, English, French and German (mother tongue). Please get in touch with Lenka Fehrenbach from UniBE International, who will put you in touch with her: lenka.fehrenbach@unibe.ch

The Eastern European Studies programme of the universities Bern and Fribourg are building a network of people to support Ukrainian, Russian and Belarusian students who are affected by the war. They offer support for refugees, such as with translations and administrative processes. Would you like to volunteer or are you looking for help? Please get in touch with us: foes.unibefri@gmail.com.

More information will follow as soon as possible.