1 If the enforcement of removal or expulsion is not possible, not permitted or not reasonable, the SEM shall order temporary admission.
2 Enforcement is not possible if the foreign national is unable to travel or be brought either to their native country or to their country of origin or a third country.
3 Enforcement is not permitted if Switzerland’s obligations under international law prevent the foreign national from making an onward journey to their native country, to their country of origin or to a third country.
4 Enforcement may be unreasonable for foreign nationals if they are specifically endangered by situations such as war, civil war, general violence and medical emergency in their native country or country of origin.
5 The Federal Council shall designate native countries or countries of origin or areas of these countries to which return is reasonable. If foreign nationals being removed or expelled come from one of these countries or from a member state of the EU or EFTA, enforcement of removal or expulsion is reasonable.221
5bis The Federal Council shall periodically review the decision under paragraph 5.222
6 Temporary admission may be requested by the cantonal authorities.
7 Temporary admission shall not be ordered in terms of paragraphs 2 and 4 if the person removed or expelled:
- a.223
- has been sentenced to a long-term custodial sentence in Switzerland or abroad or has been made subject to a criminal law measure in terms of Article 59–61 or 64 of the SCC224;
- b.
- has seriously or repeatedly violated or represented a threat to public security and order in Switzerland or abroad or represented a threat to internal or the external security; or
- c.
- has made their removal or expulsion impossible due to their own conduct.
8 Refugees for whom there are reasons for refusing asylum in accordance with Articles 53 and 54 AsylA225 shall be granted temporary admission.
9 Temporary admission shall not be granted or shall expire if an order for expulsion from Switzerland under Article 66a or 66abis SCC or Article 49a or 49abis MCC226 becomes legally enforceable.227
10 The cantonal authorities may conclude integration agreements with temporarily admitted persons if there is a special need for integration in accordance with the criteria set out in Article 58a.228
221 Amended by Annex No 1 of the FA of 14 Dec. 2012, in force since 1 Feb. 2014 (AS 2013 43755357; BBl 2010 4455, 2011 7325). See also the transitional provision to this amendment at the end of the text.
222 Inserted by Annex No 1 of the FA of 14 Dec. 2012, in force since 1 Feb. 2014 (AS 2013 43755357; BBl 2010 4455, 2011 7325). See also the transitional provision to this amendment at the end of the text.
223 Amended by Annex No I of the FA of 20 March 2015 (Implementation of Art. 121 para. 3–6 Federal Constitution on the expulsion of foreign nationals convicted of certain offences), in force since 1 Oct. 2016 (AS 2016 2329; BBl 2013 5975).
224 SR 311.0
225 SR 142.31
226 SR 321.0
227 Inserted by Annex No I of the FA of 20 March 2015 (Implementation of Art. 121 para. 3–6 Federal Constitution on the expulsion of foreign nationals convicted of certain offences), in force since 1 Oct. 2016 (AS 2016 2329; BBl 2013 5975).
228 Inserted by No I of the FA of 16 Dec. 2016 (Integration), in force since 1 Jan. 2019 (AS 2017 6521, 2018 3171; BBl 2013 2397, 2016 2821).