An updated link of the FBI Channelers List...

https://www.fbi.gov/services/cjis/co...ved-channelers

I just went to the canton police office in Winterthur as recommended. The phone number is the same, and easy to call a day or two in advance and go in the morning. It takes about ten minutes.

They have a new machine as of June 2017 and they no longer take any ink fingerprints -- it is only a machine digital scanner. They take your prints and then print those out directly onto the FBI paper. Make sure you have your printed out form aligned to start on the top of the page, and not centered like my printer did when it couldn't figure out how to turn an 8.5x11 into A4. They had printouts there though, on regular flimsy printer paper, so it just took a minute extra to fill out the form again.

If you are doing this for a residence permit -- which you probably are if you're reading this -- the swiss are aware that the FBI background check takes many weeks (as of writing: their queue says estimated 12 week wait) and that it is impossible to get the FBI identity history back within the time they request the papers for your permit.

In other news I don't really know why I need to do this now, as I've been in Switzerland for 8 years and this is still for a B permit application, but :shrug:

Sorry, I forgot to complete my thought re: impossible timeline for papers. I called the migrationsamt and they just said "send all the other documents and sign a letter saying you have no FBI criminal record, and then we'll process your application, just send the identity history whenever it arrives".

This is very helpful information - thank you.

I see this last message was written approx. 1 year ago.

I'm currently in the process of doing this myself.
I live in Zurich

I'm wondering - has anything changed since the time of this last (very helpful) message.

For example:
* Can this now be done in Zurich?
* Is the identified location still the same?
* ....

Just hoping that since the writing of this last message that things have changed for the better/easier.

I had to go to Winterthur for the FBI background check; there wasn't any place in Zurich that did it.

As luck would have it I'm traveling to the USA this week. I'm thinking I can do the finger print there.

Does anyone know where I can do that? Like what type of place is accepted by the Swiss govt.?

I'm traveling through Dulles airport and on to Tampa airport.
I see a few places on the web that offer the service, but I'm not confident if they will be accepted by the Swiss Govt.

Thanks

I just got back from Winterthur and can confirm all the info from Tar_Vol is still current. Appointment required, but process is quick once you get there.

They have a file cabinet full of the FBI forms, but they expect you to have one printed when you come. Mine was centered on the page so we have to throw it out and use theirs. I knew this would be an issue based on other comments, but I coudn't figure out how to get the FBI form on the top of the page on A4 paper after scaling.

I can confirm that the office in Winterthur is still the place that provides this service in 2021. They do the fingerprints and print it on your form.

I guess they will also check you are Swiss Resident? (I'm a frontalier in Basel). I asked the local police station and they just referred me back to France (which is 'no way, José')?

Now, many years later, you cannot do it at the Zurich police station. I just went today, and they referred me to this police station: Hermann-Gotzstr 24 in Winterthur. Telephone for making an appointment is 079-440-5334. 60 CH + passport