Would really appreciate it if anyone could share some experience on family reunion requests. I made the request to the immigration office of Valais in early May, and at that time I'm told that the expected processing time for getting authorization for the visa is 3 months (which is the same as my own one, which I got in April; had to apply separately due to a delay in my partner's passport). We are both non-EU and I'm working here with a B permit.
...and I've been waiting since then, for more than 6 months already. Given that recently the processing time is really long and some people at the forum got the authorization after 8 months (but in other cantons), it can be not really unusual. But what really worries me is that the person who is in charge of that has never replied to our emails resending the documents and asking about the progress (for about 3 times), even when the email is CC from his colleague at the cantonal office. Now I'm getting a bit paranoid if he has really received the documents, and if he is really willing to process the request.
May I know if anyone has recent experience with that in Valais? Do you think there is anything I could do?
Yes maybe I should try to contact him (not them) in other ways...although my HR has been trying to persuade me not to push them to avoid annoying them.
The strangest thing is that other people at the immigration office do reply to emails rapidly. While as for the person in charge, he once explained a question to me before April (via email) and has been silent since then, though his colleague forwarded our emails to him.
HR is being smart but not giving the full explanation of bureaucrats' behavior.
Well, no one will answer in written form either via email or letter. People is scared that whatever they write will be used against them. So, the safe way to ask is by talking. Phone is the less annoying form. A registered letter may be a bit annoying. So, first find out by phone what may be wrong and only if needed resort to registered letter.
The question that can help on the phone is not: "By when will my application be processed?" but instead: "Could you please check to see whether you do have all the documentation you need from me, or should I submit something more?". That will sometimes open the door to a busy person's becoming willing to open the file (have your reference number nearby, of course) and have a look to see if there is anything causing the delay.
They've always been helpful to me when I call and need to check on the status of something. The difficulty is getting them on the phone in the first place. They only take calls in the morning, and the line is busy non-stop,so you have to call as soon as it opens and keep calling until you get through...
Thanks for your information! Actually I've been contacting by email with them (but with someone else in their office) in French so I didn't think of making a call before. Do they speak English well?
Telegraphic response: To go to Geneva, family reunification accompanying spouse to see grandchildren and friends, D Visa requested, married to a Swiss of that canton. 4 months +, so far. One response a month after requesting an update on the status, response: be patient. Common concern for the Canton of Geneva.