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  #121  
Old 06.02.2010, 01:21
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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My interview was yesterday in Atlanta. Here's how it went...
Tim, if you ask me, it seems it went extremely well. Didn't everyone tell you it would be easier than you expected?

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I thought I had everything, but I was wrong. I figured I was only working on whether I would qualify or not, but I was told to also complete the official notification affidavits for recording my marriage and the births of each of my children. I had figured that stuff could come later, and only if necessary (i.e., if and when I were actually Swiss), so I was only supplying the marriage and birth certificates. But I was told the affidavits might as well accompany the certificates, so this stuff will be officially registered either way. So I have that additional paperwork to send in before it gets submitted to Bern.
This was the case for me here in Chile. I had to present all the paperwork at once, so my children were part of my application from the very beginning. It may seem bothersome when you get started, but it does make things easier as you move along.

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Frankly, I was surprised at how short [the interview] was. I expected to discuss many facets of Switzerland's history, culture, government, politics, current events, etc., but after I described my connections with Switzerland and why I was interested in Swiss citizenship, and then gave a synopsis of Swiss history, it was all but over(!). Our conversation was peppered with bits of the other subjects, but I really expected to discuss them each in more depth.
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It seems that it went well. Judging from your posting history, I wouldn't be surprised that you know Swiss history much better than your interviewer.
Exactly my thoughts...

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We spoke just a handful of sentences of German between us, and a very small bit of Swiss-German. I fully expected a more extended conversation in German, but it never came. At the end, I even asked whether my knowledge of German (or anything else) shouldn't be examined further, and I was told it wasn't necessary. I suppose that could be taken as positive or negative, and I guess I'll find out one way or another.
It is positive. From what I recall, language is not a hard requirement, but only an assessment of your ties to the (future) motherland.

In short, congratulations are in order. Now, arm yourself with lots of patience. This thing takes longer than pregnancy!
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  #122  
Old 06.02.2010, 04:01
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Tim, if you ask me, it seems it went extremely well. Didn't everyone tell you it would be easier than you expected
Okay (and thanks), I guess I just discounted those kinds of comments, and was afraid of taking too much for granted.

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...I had to present all the paperwork at once, so my children were part of my application from the very beginning....
Right, but it just didn't get clearly through to me that the registration affidavits should accompany the birth certificates. As I recall, the form instructions didn't specify anything but birth certificates themselves. In any case, the right stuff is now getting done.

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...It is positive... In short, congratulations are in order. Now, arm yourself with lots of patience. This thing takes longer than pregnancy!
Thanks to you (and everyone else) for the support and encouragement — and especially to you, Gonzus, for starting this thread in the first place! Without it, I might never have learned that the laws had changed to allow folks like us to apply for this process!
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  #123  
Old 06.02.2010, 13:44
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Thanks to you (and everyone else) for the support and encouragement — and especially to you, Gonzus, for starting this thread in the first place! Without it, I might never have learned that the laws had changed to allow folks like us to apply for this process!
My pleasure! As you know very well, I have my own reasons to be thankful to you. Great to be able to reciprocate.
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  #124  
Old 24.02.2010, 23:36
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Hi
I thought to give an update on my case, today i submitted my application for facilitated naturlization based on six years of marriage, they took all the papres and asked me to come for an interview next week, I will keep you updated on the interview as soon as I go through, they gave me the impression that it is an easy thing, i hope so.
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  #125  
Old 25.02.2010, 00:14
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Good luck! Keep us posted.
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  #126  
Old 03.03.2010, 08:54
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Hello everybody.
Just a quick update, yesterday I had my interview. I was surprised how easy it was, very general questions about politics such as how many people in the federal council, who is the president of CH, Geography such as name three lakes, three rivers and three mountains, few sentences in french, probably anyone can pass them.
it lasted for about 30 - 45 minutes, I must say that I over "learnt" which is great, I think by now my knowledge of Switzerland is more than what an average swiss would know.

The interview was very very friendly, the guy was very polite and profissional, he said that it might take upto two years but an average of one year should be fine and i should not contact them within two years.
I have been encouraged alot by Gonzus, I really thank you for everything and believe me, without your help, I probably wouldn't have gone through this as I used to think it much different.
Emuelly thank you also for your help.
anyways! from this experience, I believe everyone should go for it, and probably most of you who are about to apply, have over learnt, when I used to see the comments about how easy it was, i thought, i still needed to learn more, you do not need to know the very details of history, it is gone.

Gonzus! Maybe it is time for us to have our degrees from ETH or EPFL ! since "if I become Swiss".

any questions, I will be happy to help.

I will keep everyone updated.


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  #127  
Old 03.03.2010, 14:16
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Hello everybody.
Just a quick update, yesterday I had my interview...
Thanks for the update!

"Now, we wait..."
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  #128  
Old 03.03.2010, 17:00
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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I have been encouraged alot by Gonzus, I really thank you for everything and believe me, without your help, I probably wouldn't have gone through this as I used to think it much different.
Hey, this is great news. Thanks also for the kind words; I am very happy when I can help people out with knowledge or previous experiences.

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Gonzus! Maybe it is time for us to have our degrees from ETH or EPFL ! since "if I become Swiss".
Wouldn't mind that at all... "Dr. Gonzus"...
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  #129  
Old 10.06.2010, 20:15
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Just a quick update, recently, the Swiss authorities have sent a form to my contacts whom I listed on my application to confirm links, I don't yet know what the content of the forms but I thought I let you know.
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  #130  
Old 10.06.2010, 20:45
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Just a quick update, recently, the Swiss authorities have sent a form to my contacts whom I listed on my application to confirm links, I don't yet know what the content of the forms but I thought I let you know.
Thanks, this is helpful, indicating that — if all goes well — those forms go out about a year after the application is submitted to Bern (which puts it at next Spring for me...).
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  #131  
Old 10.06.2010, 20:51
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Johnny, thanks for the update. From what I recall, in my case my contacts received these forms six months after I handed in my documentation. Good luck!
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  #132  
Old 11.06.2010, 14:17
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Hi Gonzus
Today I called my contacts, they received them mid May, I am surprised that it is going quicker than I thought, it has only been 3 months since I applied. they received them 2.5 months after application, it seems Swiss authorities are becoming Europeans :P in terms of speed of dealing with things.
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  #133  
Old 11.06.2010, 14:19
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Thanks, this is helpful, indicating that — if all goes well — those forms go out about a year after the application is submitted to Bern (which puts it at next Spring for me...).
No, in my case, they have sent them 2 and a half months after submission.
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  #134  
Old 11.06.2010, 15:09
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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No, in my case, they have sent them 2 and a half months after submission.
Oh!! . My mistake!

...I must have lazily looked at your "joined date" (which is about a year ago) instead of the post's date on the post where you announced your interview. But hey, that's great news, and a very pleasant surprise! Thanks for correcting me (I couldn't be more delighted about being wrong!).
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  #135  
Old 07.10.2010, 07:29
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Hi everyone, 3 weeks ago I received a letter stating that the federal office of police and migration approved my naturalization application on 22 August and I could apply for a passport and id, I rang the embassy and they confirmed it, I registered with them as a swiss resident abroad, I asked them if it is a requirement by law to apply for a passport, they said no, I will probably apply next year if I am to move to live in Switzerland.
application took 5 and a half months from start to end.
Thanks for everyone who contributed, probably I wouldn't have applied if it wasn't for this site.
I created this account last summer to enquire whether it is possible to apply as I read it somewhere, now I am a citizen, therefore guys, go for it, it was very easy and way way easier than I thought, all you need is to book an appointment, then you will be forced to do the rest, which nothing more than formalities.

I wish everyone success in their current or future applications and would love to welcome you as fellow citizens.
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  #136  
Old 08.10.2010, 00:36
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Swiss Johnny, congratulations and welcome to the club!
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  #137  
Old 08.10.2010, 02:58
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

Yeah! Congrats, Johnny!

5 months is amazing. Did they give you an estimate of how long it should take?
(I was told it could take as long as two years, so I have no expectation of repeating your experience.)
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  #138  
Old 08.10.2010, 06:59
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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Yeah! Congrats, Johnny!

5 months is amazing. Did they give you an estimate of how long it should take?
(I was told it could take as long as two years, so I have no expectation of repeating your experience.)
I remember they told me at the interview that I would take roughly 12 - 18 months as an estimate and anything earlier than that would be a sort of "bad news", the official time is up to two years, i think it was fairly quick.

I once met an immigration advisor, he told me that European applicants tend to be processed quicker than non Europeans, I am not sure about this.

anyway best of luck, how long has it been since you applied?
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  #139  
Old 09.10.2010, 04:42
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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...I once met an immigration advisor, he told me that European applicants tend to be processed quicker than non Europeans, I am not sure about this...
I think that's credible, actually. While not necessarily homogenous, I can imagine record-keeping processes and standards being more similar among European countries than non-European ones.

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...how long has it been since you applied?
I actually began the application process in February 2010, but because I was asked to supply additional documents, I don't think my application was sent to Bern until April or May.
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  #140  
Old 28.01.2011, 02:17
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Re: Facilitated naturalization interview

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I actually began the application process in February 2010, but because I was asked to supply additional documents, I don't think my application was sent to Bern until April or May.
Hey Texaner - my friend also started the process in Feb. 2010. Any movement on your end? My friend hasn't hear anything since getting the letter that states the application has been received and not to contact them/the process will take 12-18 months or so.
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