In about 5 months time I will be eligible for to apply for normal.Swiss citizenship. As there seems to be a lot of threads on the subject, and a lot of changes and confusion, I am beginning this thread now to fully document my experience as it continues, step-or-step, issue for issue. I welcome any comment or help of course.
My Gemeinde is Dietikon. The most recent information on their website requires the following residential qualifications:
- 12 years in Switzerland + 5 years uninterrupted* in Dietikon; ( I will satisfy this requirement)
- 15 years in Switzerland + 2 years uninterrupted* in Dietikon
*Uninterrupted mean continuously registered and paying tax here, and this must continue to be my place of residency until the process is complete.
Also required is the following:
- Good speaking and understanding of German (Level B1)
- Good character (clean criminal and financial record)
- Stable employment/income
- No tax debt*
- No claiming of social welfare benefits
* I'm assuming this means all payments for definite tax assessments...and that provisional payments are not included.
- Successful passing of "Standortbestimmung Deutsch und Gesellschaft"
Basically, this means that a citizenship test (knowledge of country, laws, geography, etc). and a language test (the later can be excused on production of a B1 or higher language certificate, according to the website).
So at the moment my question is: do I have to pass the citizenship knowledge test PRIOR to the application, or during the application?
The website continues to give a rough "road map" of the process, but states the duration is completely dependent upon the "candidate's situation". It also goes on to point out the costs, which combined with Federal/Kanton/Canton, come to around 5000chf per applicant (you also have to pay if you are refused!!).
At this stage, I'll be taking any suggestions for preparation.
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