How do you figure it’s longer than normal naturalisation (which takes years)? You’re at 12 months now. My facilitated naturalisation in 2017 to about 15 months and I think it’s a little slower at the moment.
I suppose some people have noted on this thread that they are already 2 years into the process and they are still waiting, generally 18 months less seems to be the normal duration from what I have read on the ordinary naturalization thread. But I guess it depends individually on each case, they might need more evidence in some cases. I don’t also think it depends upon Canton that much for facilitated as its handled mainly by SEM, but probably depends more on the nationality of the person and their individual circumstances.
My references did just recently receive letters from SEM via post to fill out, with questions like:
- Do we present ourselves as a couple in social contexts (friendship circle, invitations, participations in events)
- Do I have contact with other Swiss citizens
Answer to both is ‘Yes’, but just saying yes is probably not enough, additional evidence and details for justification need to be provided. Any ideas on some good responses?
I am not sure what you are after, what do you mean “good responses”?
The questions and answers are factual, not philosophical. It is not an essay for a homework. If you don’t present yourselves as a couple then your references will have to say so. If you do, they will also say so.
Also, assuming that we have been asked to answer, how are we to know if our answers were “good” or not ? The answers are only one element of the whole naturalisation process…
Thanks for your response.
The first question relates to marriage. We do present as a couple always when invited for some gatherings or when travelling for vacations and other occasions. Will mention to my references they can provide some certain specific scenarios and events where they have physically witnessed us as a couple, I think that should be sufficient and the correct response.
For the second question its about integration, since my references are also Swiss citizens, I will mention to them to provide scenarios where we have met up socially, and specifically in the cases where we met up in the presence other Swiss people, basically explaining that, they have witnessed me physically meeting up with other Swiss citizens.
I think you should just let your referees answer honestly in their own words. They are not difficult questions.
I just received my 30 day letter on 16 April. The SEM has given my new “heimatort” and my “wohngemeinde” 30days to contest my facilitated naturalisation.
If there are no objections, at the latest 60 days I will receive an invitation to apply for the ID and Passport.
Currently it looks like the process will take about 2 years and 1 month. (I applied end of May in 2023).
@Jay: Were your references contacted? Did you receive any communication from SEM / Kanton / Gemeinde after the interview? I haven’t received any communication so far, just lately got news from my references that they received the reference letters sent by the SEM and they need to submit their responses within 30 days.
So you mean to say, the 30 day period letter is the next communication I should anticipate for after the interview?
For me it has exactly been a year since I applied, and interview was done a few months ago.
@awyeah Hi, are you doing the simplified naturalisation (as in married to a Swiss citizen)?
@Jay: Yes for me it’s the married to Swiss citizen route. What the was next communication you got after the interview with the Police? I haven’t received anything via post since the interview, it has been a couple of months already. Is it now in the Schlussprufung stage, which is for the people submit it online?
@awyeah Please see my timeline below for clarity. I made a record of the timeline so you can get an idea of how long this process takes…I hear now it is even taking longer.
I was eligible to apply for the Facilitated Naturalisation on 19 May 2023.
3 May 2023 – Requested Application Form from SEM (2 weeks before my eligibility period for Facilitated Naturalisation)
8 May 2023 – Received Application Form from SEM
8 May to 19 May 2023 – Gathered all supporting documentation for the application
22 May 2023 – Send completed application to SEM (using registered Mail)
24 May 2023– Application Received at SEM (Post notification was someone signed for it)
3 June 2023 – Received Invoice for the application/processing fee of Chf 900
5 June 2023 – Paid Application fee
February 2024 – Received Invitation to Interview at Zurich Standesamt
19 April 2024 – Interview at Zurich Standesamt
16 July 2024 – Received Letter from Kanton Zurich Naturalisation Department saying they had finished their kantonal and commune review and they will send the documents back to SEM (they stated an expected wait time of 6 – 12 months)
14 February 2025 – Received 2 forms from SEM that I had to sign (one stating if we were still in a stable marriage and the other if I was still respecting and upholding the law in Swizerland).
16 April 2025 – Received a provisional acceptance (30Day Letter) from the SEM stating that they had no issue with my application and now they will give my home kanton and my heimartort 30 days to challenge my naturalisation, if no challenge came within 30 days, then I just have to wait a maximum of 60 days to get a letter that I can use to apply for my passport and ID.
Thanks Jay, this is really helpful. Definitely taking very long than expected indeed. I guess its a lot of back and forth verifications between Gemeinde, Kanton and SEM. I am just at 11 months since I posted my application to the SEM, so I suppose still probably 6-12 months to go. Will share my timeline once I have some news regarding my case.
In my case I was eligible for quite sometime, I suppose 6-12 months into my eligibility. My Gemeinde sent me an invitation letter that I could apply for facilitated, so I put that invitation letter as a cover letter together with all supporting documents when I posted my application to the SEM. I did post all supporting documents (verified and stamped from the various Gemeinde offices) as mentioned on their checklist, so they never asked me for any other documents.
I had the Fide test done a few years ago for the C-permit. I emailed the Fide guys, they said they don’t issue duplicate certificates, so since I had only one original Fide certificate, I just got good quality colored copies of it, got it eliminated and posted the colored copy together with the actual test results and the supporting documents.
In my case, I never got any confirmation letter from the Kanton or Gemeinde after my interview that my documents were sent back to the SEM. The guy at the Police station mentioned I would get some communication in the next 2 to 3 months, but nothing came. Its been 5 months now since my interview, and last month the SEM contacted 2 of my references for their recommendation letters. Since the recommendation letters are now sent, so now I suppose they would have all the evidences to start making a decision.
I suppose then for my case, if all goes well, as a next step I would expect to receive the 2 declaration forms from the SEM that I would have to sign, similar to your case. I see for your case, between the interview and receiving those 2 forms, it took 10 months, incredibly long waiting time for the decision.
When I applied for my facilitated naturalization I was already 6+ months into my eligibility.
I have made a record of my timeline below, so you can get an idea of how long the process has taken so far. However, please remember timelines vary greatly according to the personal circumstances of each individual, also factoring in their Gemeinde and Kanton.
My timeline below is a bit detailed based on my situation and circumstances.
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Dec 2023 – Gemeinde sent me a letter stating that I am eligible for facilitated naturlization and I could apply.
Feb 2024 – Went to my Gemeinde with the letter I received in Dec 2024 to request the SEM application form. Was given the application form immediately along with the checklist of documents that were required to be submitted.
Mar 2024 – Gathered all supporting documents. Needed to request some new documents.
Apr 2024 – Submitted my application including all documents indicated in the checklist to the SEM via post.
Apr 2024 – One week after submitting my application received a letter from the SEM. They confirmed receiving my application and told me it is expected to last around 18 months. They mentioned I need to pay the bill so they can start processing the application.
Apr 2024 – Another week later I received the actual payment bill from SEM for 900 CHF. Paid the application fees immediately.
Oct 2024 – During the end of October I got a call from the Police in my Gemeinde. The policeman mentioned he wanted to schedule my interview. He gave me an option to select from a few days and my time preference (morning or afternoon). He asked me which language I prefer, High German or Swiss German, and I said High German. The interview was scheduled after a month in December.
Nov 2024 – A few days, I received a letter from the policeman stating the time, location and place of the interview. It also included some forms I needed to sign and bring with me and a link to download the study booklet.
Nov 2024 – Since my spouse had to unexpectedly travel during the time my interview was scheduled in December, I emailed the Police officer and explained him the situation that we both wanted to come for the interview together, and if he could reschedule it to a later date. He responded by email and was kind enough to reschedule the interview in January.
Dec 2024 – During the last few days of December and early January, studied hard for the interview. Downloaded the study booklet using the link I was provided in the interview letter. This study material had 100 questions and answers that needed to be memorized.
Jan 2025 – Interview at the Police station went very smooth. The Police officer explained a few things in German. He then gave me a test of 12 questions from the booklet. I was able to answer all 12 questions within 5 minutes. He then checked my answers in front of me and all were correct. After that me and my spouse signed some forms. In the end he mentioned that he had completed his report, all was fine from his side and he would send this report back. He said I should receive the next communication in the next 2 to 3 months.
Apr 2025 – The SEM sent two of my references (Swiss people) letters for them submit their recommendations.
May 2025 – Both of my references submitted their recommendations letters within the 30 day period of receiving them.
May 2025 – Received two forms from the SEM that I needed to sign. One form indicating that I was still in a stable marriage and the other form stating that I respect and uphold the laws in Switzerland. Signed and sent these forms back to the SEM the next day.
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I don’t think I will be hearing anything from the SEM in the next couple of months now.
That was all very formal. My police interview was a few basic questions about my family etc and my references were never contacted.
After you get those final few forms, you normally get approval in a couple of months.
After I signed the 2 forms earlier this week on 19.05 and sent them back to the SEM, just today again on 22.05 I received another post from SEM again, which included some letters and they also returned back my original Fide language certificates as well.
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One letter states that the Federal Authority (SEM) has approved my application. Corresponding decision is enclosed. It says, if the cantonal and municipal authorities do not file a complaint/appeal against my case is received in 30 days, the SEM will inform me in writing within 3 months about the final nature of my application. Only after that the civil registry authorities of the home municipality will approve the acquisition of the Swiss citizenship in the registers.
** Weirdly it also says that in the end: If I subsequently wish to have a Swiss passport or identity card issued, I should contact the residents registration office (Gemeinde). -
The second letter which is the decision letter it states that, my Swiss citizenship is confirmed approved as per the Federal Law by the SEM. It also entitles me to other cantonal and communal citizenship rights which my Swiss spouse has (another Kanton mentioned here, the Heimatort of my Swiss spouse).
** It further says, the SEM have communicated this decision to my Kanton: Office for Municipalities, Civil Status Office of my residence Kanton, including Department of Economic Affairs and Home Affairs, Register and Civil Status.
** It also says, the SEM have communicated this to my municipality (Gemiende) of residence: Civil Registry Office and Civil Rights Office.
** They finally say, Swiss identify or passport documents can only be issued after they have become legally binding and based on the entry into the civil status register (Infostar).
** Lastly, an appeal against this decision can be made within the court within 30 days of receiving this.
it’s just amazing how long it takes! I sent off all my forms April 23… have been through all the similar steps and am now at your April 2025 level (with three of my references..) it’s a test of stubbornness and longevity!? 
Same. I wonder whether they’ve tightened up the requirements or added new ones in the years since you and I went through the process.
Actually between my interview at the Police station till the time two of my references were contacted, that was the most painstaking time with no news. This was around 3-4 months stressful waiting time. But once I heard from one of my references that they were contacted, I was glad that the process was moving forward. After my two references submitted their responses within the 30 day period, the process seemed to have speeded up quite a lot.
After they submitted their responses within 1-2 weeks I got the 2 forms from the SEM to sign, and then straight away like 2-3 days after I submitted those 2 forms, I got the conditional approval from the SEM with the 30 day wait period. In the conditional approval they mention they would write back within 3 months. People say after the 30 days expire it generally takes 2 weeks more, so I am expecting around 6 weeks after I received the conditional letter to get the final outcome. Let’s see.
Maybe this helps someone in their timeline:
Actually one of my references told me the date when the letter was posted to them, and in fact it was posted to both of them on the same day (date). I got the 2 forms to sign from the SEM exactly 30 days after my references received their recommendation letters to fill. I checked the date the forms were posted to me and it was an exact 30 day gap. This might also be because my references submitted their responses quickly within 2-3 weeks, and did not wait until the last moment the 30 day period was coming to an end. Also they wrote very very good detailed recommendations, one even wrote in MS Word and printed it, which highlights the effort involved rather than just handwriting.
Will post my final timeline in the next few weeks once I have an outcome.
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Follow up update:
10 June 2025 – Received a letter from SEM confirming that my naturalisation was now legally binding and the decision has been sent to my new Heimat ort (Home Municipality - which is automatically the same as that of my Swiss husband). This letter stated that I could only apply for the passport and ID after the Heimatort Canton enters my details into the Zivilstandsregister (civil status register).
25 June 2025 - After no update from Thurgau (my new Heimat), I called their Zivilstandesamt to inquire, and the lady told me that they filled in my information already a month before and I could go ahead and apply for my passport. In the evening I went to the online portal and submitted my information and got an appointment for the next day.
26 June 2025 - went to the Zurich passport office and applied for my passport, I was advised that I would receive it within a week. So finally after 2 years & 1 month, almost to the date. The process is over.
A few things to note, after you get the 30 day letter, set a reminder to contact your Heimatort Canton, because it seems like they do not communicate if they have changed your status in the Zivilstandsregister, so after you get the confirmation letter that you are legally Swiss - i would recommend 3 days - contact your Heimatort Canton and find out if your status has been updated, that way you dont wait too long to apply for your passport.
Thanks a lot for the support on the forum and I hope all your applications go smoothly.
Thanks for the update on this Jay. Congrats! Good to know your case is now complete.
Its has been now 30 days (a bit over that period) since I received the conditional approval letter from SEM. In my conditional approval letter it was stated that the 30 day appeal period is for the Kanton and Gemeinde, so I am not sure if it is 60 days for my case. Just only 30 days was mentioned in total, it was not stated that its 30 days for Kanton and a separate 30 days for Gemeinde, if I interpreted that correctly.
I live in the main Gemeinde (largest by population) of my Kanton, and it would be my Heimatort Kanton as well I suppose. Since the 30 day period is now over I am expecting the final SEM confirmation to come soon within the next few days or week.
These insights are really helpful. In this case, I will then contact the Zivilstandesamt a few days after I have received the final SEM confirmation, that would be the next step to get an extract from the Zivilstandsregister.
I think when the 30 day appeal period finishes and the Gemeinde/Kanton return their decision back to the SEM, they already update the Zivilstandsregister when returning the decision (which probably just takes a few minutes), so by the time you get the final confirmation from SEM, your data is already there in the civil status register.
Also, if your Heimatort is different to where you are living, you need to ask them for a Heimatschein to give to your Gemeinde office (or at least my Gemeinde required me to do this).
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