I wonder if it is possible to change canton during my naturalisation process.
Some background:
I applied in canton Geneva and have already passed language and culture tests. I also passed the personal interview in May 2021 (I have only one for commune and canton). I got notified in June 2021 that I was accepted by the commune (and I guess by the canton, too). I got a letter in August 2021 that my dossier had arrived in Bern for checking by the federation (SEM) and I had to pay 100 CHF for this.
Is it now possible for me to move from canton Geneva to another canton, without putting at risk the naturalisation process? I heard that with the new naturalisation law, one will be always allowed to move to another canton, if both the communal and cantonal procedures have been completed. But it is difficult to find this information written somewhere online..
Once we'd been approved at all levels we received a letter saying we were now allowed to change Kantons if we wanted. The same letter also told us there would be a delay of a few months before we received the final letter telling us we had citizenship and could get passports etc
It's quite clear where I live. Not only must I have lived in my commune for three years, I also must have lived in my canton for 5. And if I move out of my commune within 5 years, I must have a little chat to justify it. Otherwise my citizenship of the commune can be revoked.
In Switzerland, first a person becomes a citizen of their commune of origin (where they were born, or where they live when they become Swiss). It is stated on my ID card and my passport.
Then, if eligible, they become a citizen of their "Republic and Canton". And finally they become a citizen of the Swiss Confederation.
The first is the most important, followed by Canton and Confederation.
If you abandon your Commune before you become their citizen, well ...
In Lausanne you get an "avis de cloture" after the communal interview and multiple choice exam, at which point the letter says I am free to move anywhere in Switzerland and the canton of Vaud will be responsible for treating my dossier regardless of the new canton..
That's not plausible, you seem to have misunderstood.
Citizenship can indeed be removed or revoked, but only if you were naturalised based on false/fraudulent data (within 8 years after naturalisation), or if you damage the esteem of Switzerland (e.g. terrorism, war criminal, fought for ISIS, or similar). And even then only if you have a second citizenship.
I'm very glad to be corrected. I can't find the letter my daughters received, but it seemed to intimate something along the lines of what I communicated.
It does make more sense your way. But do we know that it's not just Zürich?
But people will definitely want to make sure anyways. EF is just an anonymous forum, and it's better to make sure in advance that the commune won't act up.
This is also valid in Basel-Stadt: once the commune has accepted you, you can move within Switzerland and BS will remain in charge of the rest of the process. I am attaching a screenshot from their guidelines for naturalization confirming that.
Yes, but there is no requirement that they expedite their responsibilities. We hear, over and over, on this forum that paperwork processing is unusually slow. The danger is your file just gets to the pending pile. Human nature at work.
We intend to move from our commune d’origine, but not too soon.
So? Once you have the commune's "Yes" the duration of the rest doesn't really matter (though of course you'll want it to be done with), you can move as you please. If anything, I'd say there's grounds to complain about the years before, especially if your commune requires 5 years stay.
I called the immigration office. They told me that I can already change canton. I only need to inform them about my new address in Switzerland and send a copy of the new rental agreement.
In Geneva it is possible to change canton after passing the interview(s). Moving abroad ist not possible of course.
@ UncleB : I shared some information about the interview in my older posts, check them out.
We are in the same situation. Commune has sent a letter stating the following:
In the previous letter, the Population Service informed you that if you moved to another canton then naturalization process could be suspended. However, as of today, you can move within Switzerland without affecting your application, which will continue to be processes by the Vaud canton.
As we would prefer to move to another canton soon, I am just wondering if there are any scenarios where moving could be risky or problematic.