Here is a list of important migration-related information and advice centres for foreign nationals in the Canton of Zurich with contact details as well as details on the issues they cover and the languages in which they offer advice.
Migration-related Information and advice centres
Infodona - Zurich Advice Centre for Migrants:
phone +41 44 412 84 00
Infodona offers advisory services free of charge concerning the following topics:
living in Zurich, marriage and family life, legal issues, finances, work, and health. The Zurich advice centre for migrants domiciled in the city of Zurich provides information in the following 20 languages:
Albanian, Arabic, Croatian, Dari, English, French, German, Italian, Kurdish (Sorani and Kurmanji), Portuguese, Russian, Serbian, Somali, Spanish, Slovak, Tamil, Tigrinya, Turkish and Turkmen (Iraq).
Information and Advice for Migrants in Winterthur and the Surrounding Area:
phone +41 52 267 36 91
The Winterthur Information Desk provides information and advice for migrants on migration-specific topics without prior appointment. The service is offered free of charge to Winterthur residents and is available in various languages.
Welcome Desk - City of Zurich Diversity, Integration and Antiracism Office:
phone +41 44 412 37 37
The Welcome Desk at the Diversity, Integration and Antiracism Office offers city of Zurich residents information and advice in various languages free of charge. The staff are specialized in questions from newcomers from abroad on any topic concerning migration and integration.
MIRSAH:
phone +41 44 291 00 15
This counselling centre provides legal advice related to migration and integration issues (e.g. right of residence, family reunification, work permit, visa, naturalization, etc.). Specially trained lawyers offer professional legal advice about issues related to immigration. An hourly fee of CHF 50 is charged. Legal advice is offered in the following languages:
German, English, French, Kurdish, Spanish, and Turkish.
ZüRAS:
phone +41 44 415 62 26
The Zurich Drop-In Centre for Issues Related to Racism, ZüRAS (Zürcher Anlaufstelle für Rassismus), offers advice and support to individuals who, for example, experience discrimination or racism at work, at school, in their neighbourhood or otherwise because of their origin, skin colour or religion. Its services are free of charge for people living in the Canton of Zurich. If needed, it may be possible to arrange for an interpreter to assist with communication.
General counselling
SOS counselling by the Swiss Red Cross (SRK):
phone +41 44 388 25 25
Experienced social workers provide counselling to persons facing challenging situations and who are in urgent need for help, irrespective of their origin or residence status. This offer is aimed at persons who live in the Canton of Zurich. The counselling service is free of charge and is offered in the following languages:
German, French, English, Italian, and Spanish.