Belgium
New format for registration certificate announced
The Immigration Office has announced that it is modernising the Registration Certificate (RC), also known as the “orange card”. Starting 28 September 2026, a new format will be gradually introduced.
Until now, the Registration Certificate has existed in the form of:
- an orange card; or
- an A4-format document (“temporary/provisional model”).
The new model will now take the form of a secure passport-type booklet.
This modernization concerns only the document format (not the residence status).
It does not change:
- the conditions for issuing the Registration Certificate;
- the right of residence evidenced by the certificate;
- any rights associated with it.
Those who already hold a valid Registration Certificate (RC) do not need to take any action. The current models (the orange card or the A4 format) will remain valid until their expiration date. There is therefore no need to apply for a new document immediately.
Switzerland
Protection status S to continue, subject to further restrictions
On 19 August 2026, the Federal Council announced that Status S for people from Ukraine seeking protection will be extended to 4 March 2028. Support measures for people with protection status S (Programme S) will also continue until that date.
In addition, protection status S will be restricted for certain further groups of people from 20 August.
Additional restrictions
On 30 July 2026, EU member states decided to extend temporary protection until 4 March 2028. At the same time, they decided to restrict access to temporary protection in the EU: since 31 July 2026, temporary protection has been granted only to those who are complying with the military obligations that apply in Ukraine. The requirement to comply with military obligations applies in particular to Ukrainian nationals of conscription age, those on the reserve list and those who have voluntarily joined the armed forces.
Switzerland is not legally bound by this decision taken by the Council of the EU. However, the Federal Council takes the view that it is in Switzerland’s interests to align its practice with that of the EU. Consequently, protection status S will now only be granted to individuals who are in compliance with the military obligations they may have in Ukraine. This new rule applies to all new applications submitted on or after 20 August 2026. It has no impact on individuals who have already been granted protection status S.
Continuation of integration measures
On extending protection status S, the Federal Council also decided to continue the specific support measures for refugees from Ukraine with this status until 4 March 2028; these measures, known as Programme S, were first adopted on 13 April 2022. The federal government is contributing CHF 3,000 per person each year to the cantons’ integration efforts, in particular for language support and access to education and the labour market. Persons who, after five years’ residence in Switzerland, are granted a B residence permit linked to protection status S are entitled to integration support under the cantonal integration programmes.
Changes after five years’ residence
From March 2027, the first Ukrainians to seek protection in Switzerland will have been here for five years. The Asylum Act provides that persons in need of protection are entitled, after five years, to a residence permit (B permit) linked to protection status S. If protection status S is revoked, these residence permits will automatically cease to be valid. The permits are granted by the cantonal authorities and do not require SEM’s approval.
Notwithstanding this, persons in need of protection may, subject to certain conditions, apply for a residence permit that is independent of protection status S under the provisions in the Asylum Act on cases of hardship. Provided that the conditions are met, cantonal authorities may, with the approval of SEM, grant a hardship permit to a person who is resident in their canton.
