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Syria → Switzerland

Migration corridor · visas, permits and flows

From
Syria
To
Switzerland
Inflow, 2023 (OECD)
1,745
Change since 2018
-15.5%
Share of all arrivals in Switzerland, 2023
0.98%
Inflow 20231,745OECD
Year by year
Data as at 2025
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Migration from Syria to Switzerland

Inflows of nationals of Syria recorded by Switzerland; stock of nationals of Syria living there; and acquisitions of Switzerland's nationality (OECD).

Inflows by year

1,0332,065201020132016201920222023
1,0332,065201020132016201920222023
Data table
2010149
2011233
2012290
2013280
20141,114
20151,800
20161,791
20171,683
20182,065
20192,050
20201,868
20211,652
20222,034
20231,745
YearInflowStockAcquired nationality
2024—20,438—
20231,74518,52899
20222,03416,36091
20211,65214,51171
20201,86812,47770
20192,05010,322109
20182,0658,196102
20171,6836,41674
20161,7914,56981
20151,8002,77550
20141,1141,70864
20132801,486—
20122901,269—
20112331,269—
2010149——
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Migrant population

People born in Syria who live in Switzerland: mid-year estimates of the international migrant stock (UN DESA).

Migrant population by year

15k29k19901995200020052010201520202024
15k29k19902000201020202024
Data table
1990417
1995669
20001,080
20051,802
20102,913
20159,288
202021,652
202429,396
Estimate, 2024
29,396
Share of all international migrants in the destination, 2024
1.1%
Rank among countries of birth, 2024
22
Counted by
country of birth, refugees added
Source: United Nations, DESA Population Division, International Migrant Stock 2024 (CC BY 3.0 IGO)Data as at 2024

Switzerland's consulates in Syria

Short-stay Schengen (C) visa applications at Switzerland's consulates located in Syria.

YearApplicationsIssuedNot issuedRefusal rate
2024000—
2012108901816.7%
20111,3381,10922917.1%
20101,6351,5271086.6%
20091,4241,3011238.6%

Applications by year

8181,63520092010201120122024
8181,63520092010201120122024
Data table
20091,424
20101,635
20111,338
2012108
20240
Source: European Commission, DG Migration and Home Affairs, visa statistics for consulates (CC BY 4.0)Data as at 2024

Residence permits in Switzerland

First residence permits issued by Switzerland to citizens of Syria (Eurostat).

First permits by reason, 2025
  1. Family152
  2. Other reasons48
  3. Work8
  4. Education6
YearFirst permitsEU Blue CardsCitizenships acquiredStudents
2025214000
20242450186108
20232780100133
2022345098143
2021287070143
20200069142
201900121137
20181900125126
201717409192
201615009864
201512206163
201412206363
201327604662
20122930690
Work permits by type, 2025
  1. Other paid activities8
Valid residence permits, 31 Dec 2025
23,328
Long-term residence permits issued, 2025
127
Source: Eurostat (migr_resfirst, migr_resbc11, migr_acq, educ_uoe_mobs02, migr_eirfs, migr_pop1ctz), CC BY 4.0Data as at 2025

Compared with other corridors

Nationalities with the most arrivals in Switzerland, 2023; Syria ranks 24.

Inflows to Switzerland, 2023
  1. Germany26,211
  2. France19,955
  3. Italy19,497
  4. Portugal12,750
  5. Spain8,964
  6. Poland7,576
  7. Romania7,520
  8. Hungary4,175
  9. Türkiye3,788
  10. China3,526
  11. India3,514
  12. Afghanistan3,466
Other destinations for people from Syria, 2023
  1. Germany128,742
  2. Netherlands19,551
  3. Austria15,246
  4. Canada9,345
  5. Belgium5,496
  6. United States4,250
  7. France3,381
  8. Türkiye3,330
  9. Norway3,116
  10. Sweden2,515
Source: OECD, International Migration Database (OECD.ELS.IMD), accessed 24 Oct 2026Data as at 2023

Official data, not advice. Visa Atlas publishes figures from government registers and statistics. It does not assess eligibility or give immigration advice; for advice, consult a regulated adviser. Read more