I finally have my Swiss nationality. You can read about the process, questions asked and costs at http://naturalisation.posterous.com

Congratulations, and interesting blog!

Dan

Congratulations!

Hello. Is that really true that one has to do such an " Exam" to get a Swiss passport?
Im living in Zürich married to a Swiss and really I don't have any desire to have to do such a test to get a Swiss pass.

It depends on your area. It seems that Zurich does have an exam. In my OH's case (I am Swiss (and British through him) he is British, now Swiss too) - he went through the application process, had to prove he is solvent (eg no debts, and can pay his own way), etc. He then had an interview at the local Integration Office. As he speaks good French and showed during the long conversation that he has a good knowledge of Switzerland, its history, culture and basic politics- and because he's been coming here regularly for 41 years + had many good references, he didn't have to do a more formal test. Do you speak the language (German or Swiss German) - how long have you been married to a Swiss, how much knowledge/awareness of Switzerland have you got, are you able to earn your own living, etc- lots and lots of factors are taken into consideration before they make their decision.

I have to provide a copy of my " C " permit card to the authorities in Bern. It says "copy" in the instructions that I got with the naturalization forms. Does that mean original or can I send a copy of the original?

I'm in Aargau. I never had a test on Switzerland and no real test of my German either.

Dan

I'm in Texas, and my only "test" (at the consulate in Atlanta) amounted to a brief, oral account of Swiss history. My German "test" (also oral) lasted less than a minute. Both took place within the context of an informal background conversation that lasted between 30 and 40 minutes, during which we simply discussed my experiences in and connections with Switzerland.

I am in Chile and my experience is pretty close to Texaner's: a 45 minute interview with very short portions in French. They were more interested in my links to the motherland: trips, acquaintances, knowledge of history, geography and current events, etc.

Do US student loans affect application?

Well just sent off today my application for Swiss citizenship! Now the waiting.
For facilitated citizenship there's no test. At least not in Zürich.But they might be changing the rules sometime-hopefully not in the next year.

I hope it goes quickly for you! My friend in canton LU has been waiting 14 months without even a word since the letter acknowledging receipt of the application.

Good luck to you, omtatsat.

If this facilitated naturalization process is because of Swiss ancestors, that could perfectly be a normal waiting period. Tell your friend to be patient!

It is facilitated naturalization by way of marriage to a Swiss citizen.

Ah, I am not that familiar with that process. But I believe you can find some time frames mentioned in this very thread that might help you assess whether that has been a long time or not.

Im fortunate that my friend where I work was working in her last job with Zürich State department in Einbürgerung section.

I didn't hear anything for almost a year then it was just a request for some more documents and all was done within a couple of months after that. So I would say not hearing anything is pretty normal and nothing to worry about.

Dan

Well I'm off to a ( not so good) start! Sent my papers off this week in Zürich on Tuesday as registered mail and when I checked today with the Post " track and Trace" my papers have been sitting the whole week in the Post Office in Bern still waiting to be collected by the Office for Migration in Bern.
I sent my papers to: Bundesamt für Migration, Sektion Einbürgerung,3003 Bern-Wabern. Did not add the Street name but this was the address that I got from their homepage.

So I contacted the Post and they will do a search on Monday.
Not sure whether the Migration Office collect their registered letters once a week or not?!
Just hope the Software for the Post sorting machine in Bern is not programmed by an SVP'er.

Hello omtatsat, this is the first time I hear about someone looking for facilitated naturalization who has to send papers over post mail. Did you go through an interview at any consular office / embassy / local office (in case you are in Switzerland)? Just curious.

Well no. I just got the forms from Stadthaus Zürich,filled then in and attached all the other required documents. Then sent them all off to Bern per instructions.
The interviews etc will come I'm sure.
Well I just checked with Post " Track and Trace " and they are now in the PO Box waiting to be collected.