Okay I am STILL here, trying to get my B permit! The list keeps going that they send me. I have sent them the Swiss background check and also a police one from home, now I have two weeks to get the and FBI check and the website where I can get it, however there is a 13 week wait! In the original letter it says that I can send a notarized letter that states I have no known criminal history. Then send the BGC later. So here are my questions yet again, I throw myself under the mercy of knowledgeable EFers!

1. What should be stated in this letter?
2. Does it need to be in German?
3. Will they send the permit, or will they wait the 13 weeks until my BGC is sent also?

Thanks guys! You save me again. A nice day to all, even through this sh*t weather!

Thanks for nothing! No, no just kidding. But I did have to bite the bullet and make the calls myself! Here is the info for anyone else who might need it in the future. The FBI online takes 13 weeks, SO at the Embassy in Bern you can get an affidavit stating that you do not have any criminal history. However you still have to get the FBI copy asap. SO far they said possibly they can do the finger printing at the Embassy as well, however the lady was not in that could tell me exactly when the permit would be processed, before or after the actual FBI copy is received. Will keep you posted after Tuesday when I have to trek to Bern between the hours of 9-11:30! UGH!!

So Just got back from the Embassy. They do not do finger printing there. Also, just thought I would Please provide for plenty of time there, It took me over an hour just to get a notarized letter! Also you are not allowed to take any sort of bags even IN the building, purses, cell phones and ect have to be left at the front. Anything bigger then a purse can't go in at all. For general American citizen services their hours are 9-11:30 even though when you call it says they aren't available until 2. Which I found confusing! Just make sure you have all of the things you need and in order before you go! To get a passport you need an appointment. In all honesty, they were helpful however I cannot imagine how long it would take to do something more difficult and a few months back I sent off for my passport in the mail, VERY easy! And finally, I do have th address in which the finger printing is done. PM me if interested, too hot and tired to type anymore! Good luck all of you who are going through this nonsense like I did!

Hello!
I am now going through the same thing that you are and was wondering if you might be able to give me the address where I can get my fingerprints done.
Thanks so much!
Jen

This might help (an old EF thread).

I moved from the US to Switzerland in February and for a background check I only included the County background check. Since I had to send it to the Swiss Embassy in L.A. it didn't require an apostille. My point is: are you absolutely certain you need an F.B.I., and that other simpler checks will not do ? Might be a stupid question, I know, since you probably wouldn't go through all the trouble of getting the most expensive and time-consuming one, but perhaps you just didn't know you could get one in your local police station (or have someone back in the US to get it for you).

when I was getting my residency permit for New Zealand, I was required to do the FBI check. It's a royal pain that it takes so long, and is extremely inconvenient. Due to cuts in government spending now, I imagine it will take longer.

I'm curious what you need one for in Switzerland? A criminal history check never even came up when I got my permit here.

Many jobs require a check of your criminal record. No check, no job, no permit.

In 2009, when I moved here, they would only accept the FBI check. Although, I have heard of people giving only a local police report. It seems they may accept the local report if you have that to give along with all of the other required paperwork at the time of your application. However, if it is something they need to request separately, they insist on the FBI file. It was truly a pain in the butt, as it originally said 10 weeks, and 4 months later it finally arrived.
And from NY, only you can request a copy of your local police file (in person), you cannot have a family member do it for you. Could be different elsewhere, but just know it's not always possible.

I know this is an old thread,

Transatlantic said:
"The FBI online takes 13 weeks, SO at the Embassy in Bern you can get an affidavit stating that you do not have any criminal history." and "...It took me over an hour just to get a notarized letter!..."

I called the US embassy in Bern and they said they didn't provide any kind of "temporary letter" and the whole shabang needs to be done thru the FBI website. Plus fingerprinting as a major police station [ergo, Zurich].

Does the Zurich police station provide the fingerprint card FD-258? A link on Google said that the FBI records could be held up/rejected if the ORI field is left blank. When I downloaded the official form off the fbi website it says you can use it but that field is blank and their FAQ says you can use a printed version. Too much info on the web it's eazy to get confused, unless it's just me.

Maybe things have changed over the couple of years that was posted.

MB I'll try calling the Zurich police office and inquire as well.

cheers

It used to be possible to give a notarized affidavit stating that you had no criminal history and that was enough; however, that rule changed a few years ago and now they require the FBI background check.

The fingerprinting is done here only at the Kantonspolizei station and not the Stadtpolizei. So if you are in Zurich city, you can go to the police station near the Sihlpost.

I used the fingerprint card from the FBI website and without a problem. They did the fingerprints and filled in what needed filling in. The police station here charged around 40 francs to complete the process.

I already PMd you diego, but to anyone else who might wonder.. I did my fingerprints myself on my form. Signed it myself. While it may be cheaper, I dont guarantee it will work everytime, but if youre not in a time crunch, just get a stamp ink pad and practice a few.. its not that hard... Anything to stay out of police stations is worth it..
I know some will think it doesnt work, but I have my letter here that is approved with no history and a visa to go with it.

Ok, thanks guys.

Just pm replied before I saw this public reply. Thus to 1 other person this is a repeat question.

These may be stooped questions, damn my mild OCD...

1: Do I cut the card out on the dotted line that shows after printing?
2: Is "PERSONAL REVIEW" acceptable in the Reason Fingerprinted field?
3: Finally do I disregard the card back printed and only mail the front with accompanying application and cc payment stuffs.

thanks in advance

-D

Here is a reply that I received from the Zurich US Consular Agency in response to an unrelated question.

Obtaining Fingerprints and a Criminal Record Report

Information, FAQ’s and a downloadable fingerprint card may be obtained at the Federal Bureau of Investigation website:

www.fbi.gov/hq/cjisd/fprequest.htm


Fingerprints may be obtained at


ZURICH
Kantonspolizei Zurich
Kasernenstrasse 29
8004 Zurich
Tel. 044 247 22 11



BERN
Staedtische Polizei
Kriminal Technische Dienste
Waisenhausplatz 32
3000 Bern 7
Tel. 031 321 21 21


GENEVA
Commissariat de Police
Service de Police technique et scientifique
17 – 19 Blvd Carl - Vogt
1211 Geneve 8
Tel. 022 427 82 01

NOTE: Under some circumstances, the Swiss authorities permit American citizens to execute an Affidavit of Good Behavior, i.e. a sworn statement that states they do not have a criminal record. However, please check first with the Swiss authorities.

We could then provide the service here and have the necessary form. The fee is currently CHF 45.00, payable in cash. Please bring your passport. An appointment is also required and you may schedule by e-mail. Please suggest a date and an alternative.



Regards,

Consular Agency Zurich

Thanks guys.

found a Canton police station in my town in Chur...



I took 2 FBI 10-print printed cards from the FBI site and they did both. They put their police stamp in the ORI field. In the Reason Fingerprinted field I put "For residency and work visa in Switzerland."

I found this page for filling out the FBI card for "Personal Review" here...

http://congressionalsquadron.org/For...structions.htm

Field 9 (ORI) appears to be filled in by an official requester facility (qualified state law enforcement agency). If you request actual hard-stock cards this field is pre-filled in. I've read that the FB request may be rejected BUT if the request is not because you committed a crime then it's not so important (verify).

Additionally, I couldn't find any info if you had to cut out the dotted line when the FP card was printed off the FBI website, and I had 2 "10 prints" filled out, I cut one out and left the other for good measure.

Sent them off the other day. We'll see. =)

Additionally, our town said they can use the Local (WA state trooper) report where I'm from as a temporary thing until my FBI report comes. Nice they are flexing for this as we need residency status just to get a Bank Account here. Not to mention our own flat, cell phone, etc. Just glad we have family here for back-up contingency and my wifes' job provided HER with a phone.

I'm considering, since I have a bit of time on my hands, starting a dedicated thread with consolidated info about this. It's great that what's posted is posted here from you guys, credits with be given. Just a thought.

I'll keep you posted.

cheers

-Dk

OK so i went to Kantonspolizei Zurich located at Kasernenstrasse 29 and they turned me away and told me to go to a different place for fingerprints for the American FBI application to request criminal history report. Here is where I went for the fingerprint service. I had to call and make an appointment first.

Winterthur-Stadt Ost
Hermann Gotz-Strasse 24
8400 Winterthur

+41 52 2865 52 22

Here are the links to the documents you will need to submit to the FBI for a criminal history.

https://forms.fbi.gov/identity-histo...3984839334.pdf
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/id...hecks/fd-258-1
https://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/id...d-payment-form