Family Reunification A1 language Requirement

I am an Indian working on B-Permit in Zurich

I applied for Family Reunification Visa for my wife.

I have received a letter from migrationSamt. Among other documents, they have asked to provide A1 cert. or registration cert for my Wife.

Upon enquiry they confirmed that its a new Requirement since Jan 2019 and A1 cert is a must when my wife goes for first renewal. And initially a proof of enrollment in program is fine,

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Certificate certifying XXXX XXXX to master the German language in Level A1 (Speech) in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference. The certificates of the telc, Goethe, OSD, Cantonal German tests in the naturalization procedure (KDE), TestDaF and fide are accepted.

If XXXXX XXXXX does not have any of these language certificates, the certificate of registration must be submitted for a language promotion offer at the end of which one of the mentioned language certificates is acquired

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As my wife doesn't have A1 certification.

Please suggest any good German learning school in Zurich where I can enroll her for a future date and she can start the class when she comes to Zurich.

Welcome to the Forum. If you're trying to be budget-conscious, Migros Klubschule offers group lessons at one of the more affordable prices. They also have a variety of courses, from intensive to semi-intensive, nights or weekends, etc.

Going to add to this thread if that is ok.

I am the trailing spouse and the workplace of my husband has said that I need to supply proof of registration certification for A1 german for the B visa, family reunification. We have gone back and forth a few times with the HR but they haven't answered our question clearly of if I need to have completed the A1 and have the certification before we arrive in Switzerland or if I can register online for a course there in Switzerland for the dates we are arriving and simply show proof of this registration?

Is there anyone who might have a better idea?

If you're not here yet, proof of registration for a course should be sufficient.

ohh wow.. this seems totally new requirement ..

Yes, since 1 January. There's a thread about the changes here somewhere.

Is there an actual thread with links to some sort of governmental webpage that has more information? I haven't been able to find anything but this thread.

I think it might be this thread that has some info with links:

https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...t-renewal.html

Thank you. I'll have to assume the same applies to be though we are not getting a renewal, it is a first visa, me the dependant, due to arrive in the summer for a year only. Thanks for your help.

Flyingteachers and ECAP are much cheaper.

Similar situation here. Indian working in Switzerland and wanting to bring my wife and kid here. They are in India at the moment and have applied for family re-union. The authorities have come back with list of documents they require. I can provide everything else, but the German language certificate. She is in India and has not enrolled for any German learning course.

Can anyone suggest what would be the best way to go? Like registering for a course online?

Registering for a classroom course in Hometown?

Seems like a new requirement for Switzerland (just like Germany has).

Below links might be helpful, it's for Germany immigration but the Deutsch certificate A1 is the one relevant for your case and as I see the exams can be taken in India

https://www.goethe.de/ins/in/en/spr/prf.html

https://www.goethe.de/en/spr/kup/prf/ehe.html

For everyone I am posting the reply to a PM here

assuming it helps all Indian non-EU cases in their Family reunification application

Initially application is submitted in Indian Embassy in New Delhi(local swiss embassy) by a prior appointment using their website.

The list of Docs is on VFS website.

Important one is the marriage certificate , married under Special marriage Act or Hindu marriage act.

Marriage Certificate should be attested by State Home Secretary (in states its called GAD certification) and then from ministry of external affairs, New Delhi.

Once all docs are submitted, in about a month, Swiss immigration(Migrationsamt) will sent letter to the sponsor in swizterland with following additional docs.

I received letter with below questions:

1)Personal details (name and date of birth) and addresses of all children of you as well as of XXXXXX. For children over 15 years of age, the civil status must be confirmed.

2. Copy of the apartment rental agreement for the future family dwelling

3. Written permission of the dwelling owner that XXXXXXXX can take up residence in this dwelling.

4. Copies of your salary statements for the last three months, from which the net salary (including any gratuities, 13, monthly salary etc.) must be visible. The self-employed must submit the last annual accounts and the last tax invoice. If no gainful employment is exercised, it must be stated since when no gainful employment will be pursued and with what means of subsistence.

5. Current indigenous criminal record of XXXXXX (in German, French, Italian, English or with officially certified German translation). If no extract of this kind can be obtained, a national certificate of good conduct must be submitted.

--> PCC is needed for this. This is issued from Passport office in INDIA via online appointment.

6. Certificate certifyingXXXXXXX. to master the German language in Level A1 (Speech) in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference. The certificates of the telc, Goethe, OSD, Cantonal German tests in the naturalization procedure (KDE), TestDaF and fide are accepted. If XXXXXX does not have any of these language certificates, the certificate of registration must be submitted for a language promotion offer at the end of which one of the mentioned language certificates is acquired

--> A1 requirement came in effect from Jan 01,2019 onwards, and since I applied before Jan 01, maybe they gave exemption first time. contact Migrationsamt to know what rule applies to you.

7. Do you have any other financial obligations (alimony, interest on debt and loan payments, payment and leasing transactions, tax debts, insurances such as liability and household contents, etc. Social insurance and government outlays)? If so, please submit supporting documents.

8. Current original excerpt from the there residential communities of the last three years.

--> You need to submit the Betreibungsauszug from residence addresses in last 3 years. It obtained by ordering online using third party site CRIF.ch, Im

You can also collect it in-person from govt. office for cheaper price.

If you get the documents right it can be simple and fast.

Unfortunately for us we learned it hard way.

Feel free to ask any question. I will try to answer when I have time.

All the best!

Hello Kashifa,

Thank you for sharing all details you experienced during the family reunion procedure. It is really appreciated. My question is related with item 4.

I will be moving to Zurich in the middle of May to start my new job. And I am planning to apply for the family reunion process just after my arrival. So at the time of my application I will not be able to provide my salary statement for last three months. I think I can only provide my contract that shows annual income. Do you think it works ?.

Thank you.

For anyone wanting to fast-track their learning German, for real, beyond fulfiling the permit requirements, here's an excellent list of methods: https://www.englishforum.ch/3057896-post1.html

I am not sure but I think authorities will consider your case.

Assuming you are from non-EU country, its better you ask the employer to file your wife's permit along with your work permit. This way the process much faster and easy.

For A1, try the Michel Thomas CD course for starters...

https://www.michelthomas.com/learn-german/

Does anyone know what the language requirements for a foreign spouse of a swiss national are?

i.e. I have swiss citizenship. My wife applies for family reunification. Will she need to demonstrate language certificate or registration in language school?

And if so to what level at first application?

Yes I do. You can find the information it in the applicable law which is the Foreign Nationals and Integration Act https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classifi...232/index.html

(Be aware that the English version is for information only and might not be always up to date with the most recent changes. If in doubt check one of the three official language versions which always reflect the most current version. Language can be changed in the top right hand corner of the website)

No certificate nor language school registration required for spouses of Swiss nationals. See Art. 42 https://www.admin.ch/opc/en/classifi...index.html#a42 and compare to Art. 43 and 44.

Nevertheless a language certificate will be needed for C.

Thanks for the response and the link to the law!

I thought that was the case but something I read had me worried (although my wife would surely meet a basic level of French competency for the canton we are moving to).

The passage from the law of particular interest to me.

Article 42.1:

The foreign spouse and unmarried children under 18 of a Swiss national who live with the Swiss national are entitled to be granted a residence permit and to have their residence permit extended.

and

Article 42.3

After a law-abiding and uninterrupted period of stay of five years, a foreign spouse is entitled to be granted a permanent residence permit if the integration criteria set out in Article 58a are met.