We are living in Switzerland in Kanton Zurich since 6.5 years. Last year we had our permit B renewed. This year we passed german Goethe language exams on level C1 and B2 (my wife). We would like to apply for permit C.
Shall we the application in this case be submitted in Gemeinde or directly in Kanton Zurich Migrationsamt?
Do you think there is standard application form that I should get from my Gemeinde?
After Gemeinde approves our application, shall I then expect mail from Migrationsamt requesting all documents described here (page 15)? https://www.zh.ch/content/dam/zhweb/…igung%20IW.pdf
Or shall I prepare already all the documents and attach them to out application in Gemeinde?
A friend recently went through this process, but in the City of Zurich. Remember that things can vary from municipality to municipality.
In his case, he had to deal with both the Gemeinde (municipality) and the Migrationsamt. Moreover, they required some of the same documents to be submitted to each of them (because their process of checks differ). Each also required some documents that the other had not required. Once, a document was requested that had already been submitted.
Based on that, I'd say: collect the full set of documents on the link you posted. Enquire directly at your Gemeinde for their requirements. Start with the Gemeinde. There, they will do the first round of checks and may request more documents. Only after they approve, provisionally, will you be required to send documents to the the Migrationsamt.
Be patient, be stalwart, and just keep submitting everything they ask for.
Keep a log, for your own sanity, of what you've done.
And keep us posted so we can congratulate you when your C arrives!
Thank you. I will visit Gemeinde this week.
Do you know if friends of yours had write any "motivation letter", describing how they integrated with the community (Verein membership, volunteering, blood donations etc)?
I don't know about the process in ZH, but when we did this as a family in BS, we wrote a short motivation letter, describing our integration and life here, very briefly (half a page). It was not required, but we wrote it and attached it to all the other documents.
With C1 German, I'm sure you can do a better job than I did then with very little effort. Good luck!
C Permit typically comes from the Kanton. I wrote to the Kanton and they advised me about the process.