Qualified Undocumented Filipino Migrants in Geneva Given Chance to Legally Work and Stay in Geneva

Left photo: Consul General Enrico T. Fos (seated center) of the Philippine Consulate General in Geneva facilitated the meeting of Filipino community leaders in Geneva and Vaud, Switzerland. Right photo: Mr. Charlemagne Hernandez of the Geneva Forum gives an overview of Operation Papyrus.

20 April 2017 GENEVA, SWITZERLAND – Undocumented migrants of the Canton of Geneva, Switzerland now have a chance to legally work and reside in Geneva through a new scheme developed by Geneva authorities called “Operation Papyrus.”

“Operation Papyrus" aims to allow undocumented migrants in Geneva to apply for a legal residency permit provided that they have met the following qualifications: a residency in the canton for at least 10 years, an A2 level French proficiency, and the demonstrated capacity to support themselves.

Once granted, the legal residency permit entitles the undocumented migrant to legally work and reside in Geneva.

“Operation Papyrus" will initially be implemented for two years from 2017 to 2019.

The Philippine Consulate General in Geneva coordinated with the Ugnayang Bayan, the federation of Filipino community organizations in Cantons Geneva and Vaud, to set up a task force to provide information to the qualified undocumented migrants.

As of the latest count, there are an estimated 1,697 Filipino undocumented migrants in Cantons Geneva and Vaud. END