State Secretariat for Migration (Switzerland)
The State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) (German: Staatsekretariat für Migrationen SEM, French: Secrétariat d'État aux migrations, Italian: Segreteria di Stato per le migrazioni) is a Swiss federal authority. As of 2023, it is headed by Federal Councillor Élisabeth Baume-Schneider.
| (in German) Staatssekretariat für Migration SEM (in French) Secrétariat d’Etat aux migrations SEM (in Italian) Segreteria di Stato della migrazione SEM | |
Building of the State Secretariat for Migration in Bern (2008) | |
| Agency overview | |
|---|---|
| Formed | 2005 (merger of several federal offices) |
| Jurisdiction | Switzerland |
| Headquarters | Wabern (Köniz), Switzerland |
| Employees | 1300 |
| Annual budget | Expenditure: CHF 1.6 billion (2022) |
| Minister responsible | |
| Agency executive |
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| Website | sem.admin.ch |
It is responsible, at the federal level, for all matters relating to foreigners (granting of visas, prohibition of entry into the country, naturalization, etc.) and for the recognition of refugees (granting and withdrawal of asylum). The SEM is subordinated to the Federal Department of Justice and Police.
Until 31 December 31 2014, the authority was called the Federal Office for Migration (FOM) (German: Bundesamt für Migration BFM, French: Office fédéral des migrations ODM).