OFFICIAL AUTHORITIES AND AID ORGANIZATIONS FOR IMMIGRANTS – BERN
Your Guide for a Smooth Arrival in Bern
Starting out in a new country can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why my best advice is to get well-informed from the very beginning. Knowing exactly which authority or organization can help you with your specific needs will save you a lot of time and effort. From my own experience, I know that having a good sense of direction can significantly ease and speed up the settling-in process. This guide provides a useful overview of official bodies and private aid organizations that are here to support you on your journey in Switzerland.
Important Contacts for Immigrants in Bern
Your Guide to a Smooth Start in Bern
Starting out in a new country can feel overwhelming at times. That’s why my best advice is to get well-informed from the very beginning. Knowing exactly which authority or organization can help you with your specific needs will save you a lot of time and effort. From my own experience, I know that having a good sense of direction can significantly ease and speed up the settling-in process. This guide provides a useful overview of official bodies and private aid organizations that are here to support you on your journey in Switzerland.
Important Contacts for Immigrants in Bern
1) Migration Office / Office for Population Services (Canton of Bern)
- Address: Ostermundigenstrasse 99B, 3006 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 633 53 15
- E-Mail: midi.info@be.ch
- Website: https://www.be.ch/migration
- Services: Residency and permit procedures, official advice
2) City of Bern – Resident Services, Migration, and Alien Police (EMF)
- Address: Predigergasse 5, 3011 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 321 53 00
- E-Mail: einwohnerdienste@bern.ch
- Website: https://www.bern.ch/einwohnerdienste
- Services: Residency and permit procedures, address/residence registration, moving services, official documents (passport/ID)
3) Bern Legal Aid Center for People in Need
- Address: Eigerplatz 5, 3007 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 385 18 20
- E-Mail: info@rechtsberatungsstelle.ch
- Website: https://www.rechtsberatungsstelle.ch
- Services: Asylum and migration law, social rights, free/low-cost consultation, legal representation
4) Asylum Aid Bern
- Address: Postfach 4034, 3604 Thun
- Phone: +41 76 700 49 40
- E-Mail: info@asylhilfe.ch
- Website: https://www.asylhilfe.ch
- Services: Asylum and immigrant counseling, translation network, health and social referrals
5) HEKS – Office / MosaiQ Bern
- Address: Bürenstrasse 12, 3007 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 385 18 40
- E-Mail: bern@heks.ch
- Website: https://www.heks.ch/mosaiq-bern
- Services: Professional integration projects, counseling, course referrals
6) Caritas Bern
- Address: Zähringerstrasse 25, 3012 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 378 60 00
- E-Mail: info@caritas-bern.ch
- Website: https://www.caritas-bern.ch
- Services: Social and legal counseling
7) Solidarity Network Bern
- Address: Quartiergasse 12, 3013 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 991 39 29
- E-Mail: info@solidaritaetsnetzbern.ch
- Website: https://www.solidaritaetsnetzbern.ch
- Services: Social referrals, Sans-Papiers network
8) TRiiO Counseling Center
- Address: Gutenbergstrasse 40b, 3011 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 311 91 55
- E-Mail: info@triio.ch
- Website: https://www.triio.ch
- Services: Job application and coaching support
9) Unia Bern Section – Migration Working Group
- Address: Monbijoustrasse 61, 3001 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 385 22 22
- E-Mail: bern@unia.ch
- Website: https://www.unia.ch
- Services: Workers’ rights, counseling for immigrant workers
10) Swiss State Secretariat for Migration (SEM)
- Address: Quellenweg 6, 3003 Bern
- Phone: +41 58 465 11 11
- E-Mail: sem@sem.admin.ch
- Website: https://www.sem.admin.ch
- Services: Federal asylum and migration procedures, official information and applications
11) isa – Migration Center Bern
- Address: Speichergasse 29, 3011 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 310 12 70
- E-Mail: beratung@isabern.ch
- Website: https://www.isabern.ch
- Services: Counseling and referral services
12) Lern.Punkt – Salvation Army Bern
- Address: Freiburgstrasse 251, 3018 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 511 36 20
- E-Mail: lernpunkt@heilsarmee.ch
- Website: https://www.lernpunkt.ch
- Services: German courses (A1-B1), literacy support
13) KKF – Church Contact Point for Refugee Issues
- Address: Effingerstrasse 55, 3008 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 385 18 11
- E-Mail: info@kkf-oca.ch
- Website: https://www.kkf-oca.ch
- Services: Asylum process and migration law counseling
14) Counseling Center for Sans-Papiers Bern
- Address: Effingerstrasse 5, 3008 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 382 00 15
- E-Mail: beratung@sans-papiers-contact.ch
- Website: https://www.sans-papiers-bern.ch
- Services: Legal and social counseling for undocumented immigrants
15) FASA – Social Work Department (Catholic Church Bern)
- Address: Mittelstrasse 6a, 3012 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 300 33 65
- E-Mail: fasa.bern@kathbern.ch
- Website: https://www.kathbern.ch/fasa/sozialberatung
- Services: Social work and integration projects
16) SRC – Swiss Red Cross Canton Bern
- Address: Bernstrasse 162, 3052 Zollikofen
- Phone: +41 31 919 09 19
- E-Mail: kvbe@srk-bern.ch
- Website: https://www.srk-bern.ch
- Services: Courses and daily life support
17) SAH Bern – FOKUS Specialized Courses
- Address: Könizstrasse 161, 3097 Liebefeld
- Phone: +41 31 970 40 12
- E-Mail: regula.hungerbuehler@sah-be.ch
- Website: https://www.sah-be.ch
- Services: Vocational courses and job market referrals
18) augenauf – Human Rights Organization
- Address: Quartiergasse 17, 3013 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 332 02 35
- E-Mail: bern@augenauf.ch
- Website: https://www.augenauf.ch
- Services: Human rights advocacy and counseling
19) humanrights.ch – Human Rights Switzerland
- Address: Hallerstrasse 23, 3012 Bern
- Phone: +41 31 302 01 61
- E-Mail: info@humanrights.ch
- Website: https://www.humanrights.ch
- Services: Human rights education, counseling and legal support
20) Solidarité sans frontières (SOSF)
- Address: Bern (Headquarters)
- Phone: +41 31 331 71 00
- E-Mail: info@sosf.ch
- Website: https://www.sosf.ch
- Services: Human rights advocacy for migrants and refugees, campaigns and political guidance
21) Blindspot Switzerland – Inclusion & Diversity
- Address: Bern (Headquarters)
- Phone: +41 31 300 00 50
- E-Mail: info@blindspot.ch
- Website: https://www.blindspot.ch
- Services: Inclusion and diversity projects; promoting the participation of people with disabilities and immigrants
