Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

1.       What is temporary protection (status S)?

On March 15, 2022, the government adopted the Ordinance on Temporary Protection for Certain Groups of Persons from Ukraine (Ukraine Protection Ordinance). The Ukraine Protection Ordinance came into force on March 16, 2022. This means that all persons who belong to the group defined in the Ukraine Protection Ordinance can obtain a temporary right of residence in Liechtenstein. These persons do not undergo a regular asylum procedure; only an entry interview takes place to examine the application. This reduces the burden on the asylum system and people quickly have clarity about their residence status in Liechtenstein.

2.       Who can apply for S status?

In order to be granted protection status, you must belong to one of the groups mentioned and there must be no grounds for exclusion (Art. 3 Ukraine Protection Ordinance).

• Ukrainian nationals seeking protection who were resident in Ukraine before February 24, 2022; Ukrainian nationals seeking protection who were already legally resident in Liechtenstein before February 24, 2022 have the same status;
• persons of other nationalities seeking protection and stateless persons seeking protection who had an international or national protection status in Ukraine before February 24, 2022 and cannot return to their home country or country of origin in safety and permanently;
• persons of other nationalities seeking protection and stateless persons seeking protection who can prove with a residence permit that they had a valid right of residence in Ukraine on February 24, 2022 and cannot return to their home countries or countries of origin in safety and permanently;
• 3.       What are the main grounds for exclusion for the granting of temporary protection?

   

  If you have a valid residence permit in the Schengen area or in a generally safe home country, country of origin or third country, or if you can return there as a national, for example, you may be excluded from temporary protection. You may also be exempt from temporary protection if you have already applied for asylum in another Dublin country before February 24, 2022 or are otherwise subject to the Dublin procedure.

  4.       How can I apply for S status?

  If you are already in Liechtenstein, we kindly ask you to make an appointment in advance by e-mail to [email protected].

  You can also report to the Migration and Passport Office (APA) during counter opening hours and to the National Police outside of opening hours. If you register without making an appointment, there may be waiting times and it cannot be guaranteed that an interpreter for the Ukrainian or Russian language will be immediately available.

  You must appear in person for registration and an entry interview will be conducted using an interpreter for the Ukrainian or Russian language. Among other things, you will be given information, your personal details will be recorded and checks will be made in databases. A photo of you will be taken for use in the S permit. In a first step, in accordance with the provisions of the Asylum Act (AsylG) and the Asylum Ordinance (AsylV), your existing identity and travel documents and assets will also be secured. You will also be asked to complete and sign a declaration of assets and return it within one week.

  5.       How do I receive the decision on my status?

  The APA will issue a written decision granting you protection status. At the same time, you will be issued with an S permit that provides information about your status. This is limited to a maximum of one year and will be extended if necessary, see also question 20. You will also receive your original travel document back with the S permit.

  5.       What are my rights and obligations with S status?

  Persons with temporary protection (S) have largely the same rights as asylum seekers and temporarily admitted persons

  They receive welfare benefits in accordance with the AsylA and AsylO, pocket money, accommodation and care and the premiums and cost sharing incurred within the framework of compulsory health insurance are covered. The protection status allows school-age children to attend school and adults to pursue gainful employment in Liechtenstein. Compulsory education applies. As with other persons in the asylum sector, the regulations on wage assignment apply when taking up gainful employment and the approval of the APA for gainful employment must be obtained before starting work. You may travel within the Schengen area and return to Liechtenstein with the S permit and a valid recognized passport without special authorization from the Migration and Passport Office. If you are absent for more than 14 days without notifying the FHL and the APA in advance, you must expect your S protection status to be revoked, as it will then be assumed that you have moved your center of life to another country. After 14 days of absence, payment of welfare benefits will cease. Any absence from the country must be reported to the APA and the FHL.

  7.       When and where will I receive my ID card?

  As soon as the decision on your protection status has been issued, you will be summoned by the APA to hand over the decision, your ID card and return the ID documents you submitted during the entry interview. Alternatively, you will be sent a registered letter

  8.       When can my children attend school?

  Once an application for protection has been fully registered with the APA, this information will be forwarded to Flüchtlingshilfe Liechtenstein (FHL), which will take care of registering children with the Office of Education. Please contact the FHL if you already have protection status or if your application has already been fully registered. School enrollment takes place no later than 30 days after the application for protection has been submitted.

  9.       I am still staying here without a visa and without being granted protection and would like to pursue gainful employment. What do I have to do?

   

  Taking up gainful employment in tourist status is not permitted. Please contact the APA to register your application for protection.

  10.  I am still here without a visa and without being granted protection and would like to send my child to school. What do I have to do?

  School attendance is not permitted for children with tourist status. Please contact the APA to register the application for protection. Registration will initiate the school enrollment process.

  11.  My child attends online lectures at school in Ukraine. Does he or she still have to go to school here in Liechtenstein?

  Yes, school attendance is compulsory in Liechtenstein

  12.  My child is still too young for school. Can he or she attend kindergarten?

  Children of kindergarten age (approx. from 4 years) are integrated into a public kindergarten.

  13.  Can my child also go to a school abroad?

  A permit from the Office of Education is required to attend school abroad. The costs must be borne by the parents.

  14.  Are there language courses to learn German?

  With temporary protection, you have the opportunity to attend language courses organized by the FHL. Certificate courses are also possible according to the language course concept. Please contact the FHL for this.

  15.  Do I have to move to the reception center with status S?

  No. You can continue to live with relatives or acquaintances or rent an apartment yourself on the open market. However, any rental costs will not be covered. However, you will receive welfare and support benefits if necessary (see question 6).

  16.  What benefits will I receive as a result of being granted temporary protection?

  • Welfare benefits usually as a daily allowance in cash or in the form of food vouchers
  • Pocket money if there are no reasons for refusal
  • Payment of premiums and cost sharing within the framework of compulsory health insurance
  • Participation in language courses organized by the FHL
  • Participation in the FHL employment program
  • Free use of public transport in Liechtenstein with the S permit (does not apply to dogs or bicycles, which must be purchased separately)

  17th   Can I pursue gainful employment?

  After registering your application, you have the opportunity to pursue gainful employment in Liechtenstein. If you wish to take up gainful employment, please contact the FHL. FHL will obtain the approval of the APA, which will also check compliance with labor law regulations, before you take up gainful employment. An employment contract must be submitted to FHL for this purpose

  18.  What does wage concession mean?

  If you are employed in Liechtenstein as a person in need of protection and receive a salary, this salary will be assigned to Liechtenstein. The salary is administered by the FHL and you will be paid a certain amount of it in cash as a motivation bonus in addition to the welfare benefits mentioned above. In the event of a return to Ukraine, any credit balance will be paid out.

  19.  What does my employer have to consider here?

  Information on wage assignment for employers can be found here: Informationen Arbeitgeber

  20.  Why is the status temporary?

  The temporary protection status is a return-oriented residence status. The government decides, after consulting the advisory commission (Art. 85) and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), when to lift the temporary protection status for certain groups of persons in need of protection.

  For this to happen, the situation in the country of origin or home country of the persons in need of protection must have changed fundamentally so that those in need of protection can return there. As part of the review of the revocation of protection, it is envisaged that the creation of supportive return programs will be examined at the same time.

  21.  I have taken in refugees from Ukraine. Will I receive compensation for this?

   

  No. However, those in need of protection will receive welfare benefits after registration of the application for protection (see question 6) if they need them.

  22.  Can I enter Liechtenstein with my pet?

  You may take your dog or cat with you, but you must register it with the Food and Veterinary Office as soon as possible. You will receive the relevant forms from the APA and the FHL when you enter the country, and it is not possible for you to be accommodated together with your pet in the accommodation provided by the FHL.

  23.  Can I also work abroad?

  With temporary protection, gainful employment is only permitted in Liechtenstein.

  24.  Can I drive my car from Ukraine to Liechtenstein?

  Persons in need of protection who have traveled to Liechtenstein in their private car are requested to contact the National Road Office (NRO) immediately.

   

  Important contact addresses:

  Migration and Passport Office (APA): Städtle 38, 9490 Vaduz, [email protected]

  Refugee Aid Liechtenstein (FHL): Heuweg 8, [email protected]

  Landespolizei Liechtenstein (LP): Gewerbeweg 4, 9490 Vaduz, [email protected]

  National Road Office (NRO): Gewerbeweg 2, 9490 Vaduz, [email protected]

  Food and Veterinary Office (ALKVW): Postplatz 2
  9494 Schaan, [email protected]

   

  Emergency numbers:

  Police	Fire brigade	Rescue
  117	118	144
  112