Hi everyone,

So I'm currently in the process of applying for citizenship through the consulate in Atlanta, and I have some questions. I'm the American grandchild of a Swiss grandmother, with my mom having lost her citizenship when she married my American father (who is actually also connected to Switzerland, having studied and lived in Basel and Bern for 5 years). My mom's sister/my aunt learned from my mom's situation and kept her citizenship when she got married, and thus my cousin is a citizen. Thus, because I not only feel it is a part of who I am but as I would also like to move to Switzerland for a while, I'm applying for facilitated naturalization. As such, I'm just curious to what others think my odds are for success.

Here's what my application looks like:

• Heimatort: Aarau AG
• I've grown up in the US my whole life; I've never lived full time in Switzerland

• Trips to Switzerland (in chronological order. Technically total of 3 trips within past 10 years.):

1. 6 day trip in the summer of 2015 across Switzerland. Stayed in Zürich, Luzern, St. Gallen, Bern, and Lugano. I was studying in Germany at the time and took a backpacking trip across Europe, and this trip was a part of that. Also went to visit a friend of my dad's in Bern.
2. 3 day trip to Zürich for my birthday in 2015. Again, did this while I was studying in Germany.
3. 3 week trip with my family to visit Swiss relatives in Flims, Chur and Zürich (my mom's uncle and his kids/grandkids). This was in 2009
4. 4 week trip back in 2001. This was also to visit family members in Flims, Chur, and Zürich.

• I do not work for a Swiss company nor did I attend a Swiss school.
• I am a part of a Swiss organization abroad (Swiss Society of Boston). It's located quite a ways from where I live, but we would participate in events 3-4 times a year as we would visit my grandparents in Boston. I've been a member for 20 years.
• They did provide me with a confirmation of membership stating that I am a member in good standing
• As mentioned, my grandmother was Swiss and grew up in Switzerland. My mother lost her citizenship due to marrying a foreign national but is still closely connected to Switzerland.
• I have 2 non-relatives living in Switzerland who I am listing on my application as references.
• I have 4 relatives that I am listing on my application as references.
• I am proving two letters of recommendation from Swiss abroad (my aunt and adult cousin).
• I speak fluent high German, but mediocre Swiss German (Züritüütsch). I can understand it okay, though.
• I would say my knowledge of Swiss geography, politics and history is pretty decent. I've been doing quite a bit of studying.
• On the application it asks if I read any Swiss newspapers or publications regularly. I do read the Neue Zürcher Zeitung online with regularity.

As far as supporting documents go:

• I've never been arrested/verified by FBI background check.
• I have proof of trips listed above via passport stamps, family photos, and receipts.

How do my odds look? The one thing I'm kind of concerned about is my two most recent trips were short... But any input is appreciated!


Also, as far as the interview goes, what should I expect from that? Like I said above, I'll be doing my interview at the consulate in Atlanta in about 3 weeks.


Thanks everyone! Merci vielmal!

There is an awesome thread where people in almost the exact situation as you have discussed their experience.

The thread would also be a great place to ask specific questions to people who have completed or are currently working on their facilitated naturalization application.

https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...interview.html

Hopefully this link works....I'm not exactly sure how to link another thread...

I agree with cgr. That cited thread, though lengthy, contains a great deal of useful info.

Your situation looks fairly positive to me. The main thing about the interview (from where I sit) is that you demonstrate your own connection to Switzerland through on-going ties to friends and relatives here, as well as a measure of knowledge and appreciation for Swiss culture, history, society, politics, etc., and some ability to speak a national language. It sounds to me like you've got a solid basis for that.

Way off topic but useful!
This is a neat way of linking to other posts or threads.

Hi Tcush! Do you have the outcome of your procedure ? I applied last december, same situation as you, but my grandfather was swiss and my mother lost her citizenship through marriage. Did you already get an answer? How long did it take. I'm still waiting about mine, almost 6 month now no hear from Bern or consulate. Thank you!