Hi Snoopy, I know what you are saying. It is just that I have an aunt who went through the whole thing (on 2006-2007), and she got the final (positive) answer from Bern exactly one year after submitting her papers. So here's to hoping...
My husband has been waiting since July 2005 for his facilitated naturalisation. Unfortunately, he was asked for more information in July 2007 and we have not heard anything since. What do you think our chances are and should I start calling the consulate?
He speaks perfect French, had a great interview. But my uncle wrote a letter that said he really didn't know my husband. (Ugh...I had asked if it was okay to put his name down!)
Distancer, that seems like quite some time. My letter to acknowledge receipt of my application says that normal processing time is about one year (I'm in Switzerland), and they say it can take up to 18 months, longer in some cases. I applied in May of this year, and haven't heard anything as of yet...
With most cases, it is best to not contact anyone to find out what's going on - but you've been waiting quite some time out of the normal processing times. I'd say contact the embassy/consulate (I'm assuming you applied from the US?) to see if you should be contacting Bern about it.
It has now been almost nine months since my interview at the Embassy. At this point, I am just waiting. Will I get to one year without hearing anything from Bern? It certainly seems that is the most likely case.
Best wishes to everyone for the upcoming 2009. Here is to hoping the year turns out to be not as bad as many people expect.
They are still working on your file and have a huge workload. We should receive an answer from them in 2009, but Bern could not tell us exactely how long it will take. As soon as I have news from Bern again, I will contact you.
I did mine in Vaud about 2 months ago. It was a very friendly talk on who I am, what I do, about our marriage (birthdate of my wife, marriage date etc), where we live. Nothing to worry about, be relax, that`s the best thing...
Yesterday was exactly one year after I had my interview at the Embassy. I am still waiting, but now feel somehow "come of age".
It is funny how things happen. During this year of waiting, it became possible for me to apply to the Spanish citizenship (my mother's ancestry); I presented all my papers for that two weeks ago. So now things have turned into a race: will I become a Spanish or a Swiss national first? Will I ever be both? This is what motivated my interest in multiple citizenships and the subsequent poll I initiated here .
Interesting how two years ago all of this was not even a far possibility; you really never know what is going to transpire.
Well Brownie, congratulations! I take it you are still waiting on the Swiss one? How are you applying for citizenship in Switzerland? Are you living there or are you a descendant of a Swiss national? Which canton?
Yes, I'm still waiting for the Swiss passport, although I'm not so excited anymore. My main concern then was to be able to travel freely (also last minute) without having to apply for visas for (almost) every country, as well as apply for jobs that limit applicants to C Permit holders and EU citizens! I can do those things now, i have a B permit (soon C) and the Swiss passport will come when it comes
Well, believe it or not, the time has finally come. I received on April 15th news from the Embassy in Chile, stating that the process for my facilitated naturalization was completed. Apparently all I have to do now is to sign a document stating I have had no problems with the local law in Chile, and that's it: I will then be a full-blooded, high-quality Swiss. (I did have to state in my original application that I am an upstanding citizen in Chile with no local legal problems, I don't know why the new form).
It would be the understatement of the year to say I am extremely happy; I am bursting out of myself! The whole thing took thirteen months, which is what I expected from how long it took for an aunt of mine, who applied due to the same ancestor.
Today I walked into my house back from work and found a very official-looking envelope from the Swiss Embassy in Chile. I was very excited as I opened the envelope, guessing it could bring final news about my naturalization process. And yes, indeed it did. The Federal Department of Justice and Police in Bern (my translation of the name) decided on May 7th 2009 to accept my request for naturalization. The decision became officialized on June 18th 2009. Finally, after almost 16 months of waiting, and two years after I began this quest, I am now officially a Swiss citizen.
I am drinking a nice glass of beer and quietly celebrating this moment. I thought I would share it with you. Cheers!