I am told by the govt authorities in Zürich that one can apply for naturalisaton only after 12 years(not like apply after 11 years and get naturalised as soon as 12 years completed). And the process takes minimum one year. Just wondering if it is only one year or usually more.
Thanks, Jason

it takes usually 2 to 3 years.

Hmm. but you have any experience? It is too long.

Minimum is 18 months, it can go up to 2-3 years especially in busy cities/areas. The speed will also depend on your integration and ability to show that you master swiss culture, history, way of life and a national language.

You will be delighted to find that at least for naturalization, non-EU persons are treated exactly like EU persons (no quota system as is the case for the L and B permits).

As the process varies so much in different cantons and towns, it is difficult to tell exactly how long the process takes. For us (in a central Switzerland canton), the whole process from start to finish took 20 months (Sep 2009 – April 2010). I have so far not heard of any “fast tracking” of an application, so you will have to accept that it takes time.

All the best with gathering the info/documents, doing the tests, deciding whether you want to keep your other citizenship (if applicable), etc. Enjoy the process, it is not so bad and it makes for interesting dinner table conversation. Some of our Swiss friends were surprised at the effort one needs to make to get that little red book!

Errata: process start to finish took 20 months (Sep 2009 – April 2011).

Thanks a lot for the info. Really appreciate.
Jason

We submitted our dossier in February 2009, naturalisation was attained in October 2010.
This was in Villars-sur-Glâne, canton Fribourg.

Edit: we are EU, but as spinning junky says, it is the same process irrespective of your origin.

With me it took 10 months for Naturalisation. But then I am married to a Swiss.