Ordinary Naturalisation in Switzerland

[dbbs]

@CloudsInTheSky

26.05.2024 interview at the gemeinde, asked around 30 questions (would you give up your current passport? what is heimat for you? all questions about lakes, mountains, buildings, passes, food, events, history, political system, religious holidays, 3 pillars), need smth like 24 correct answers. Interview was in high german.

Hi CloudsInTheSky, this is very similar to the process in Lachen SZ, did you do it there? Was it too difficult regarding the questions? Like they were tricky so one cannot get the minimum 12 out of 16 in the 2 rounds? Any tip, help would be very welcomed

[mech07]

Zurich Passbüro provides a 6-page guideline on acceptable photo frames, as if we’re supposed to bring one along to the appointment. Can anyone share their experience whether we actually need to bring a photo, or do they take it onsite (like at the migration office)?

[imranabcde]

No need to bring a photo, they take it onsite at the Passbüro. The long photo guideline is just for when you send photos by post (like for kids or special cases). For normal appointments, they handle the photo, fingerprints, and signature there.

[CloudsInTheSky]

No it is a different gemeinde, questions were similar to what is asked in written tests, but without options to answer, so one has to know the answer, but they did give all preparational material where majority of info was specified, so i had to learn all of it like i would for an exam, without this preparation wouldn’t be able to answer anything…

[dbbs]

Thanks a lot for the answer. I didn’t know that they give you the material to study and was concerned that this was not the case and one has to find everything on his own, good to know. Thanks again

[tdbrock]

Well it took just over 22 months but I’ve reached "Abschluss " status. I’m so relieved and overjoyed. I am grateful to this group for keeping me sane during this process. I wish everyone the best in their own journeys. So, for the next to last time, here’s is my current timeline.

29/11/2023 - Application submitted
14/02/2024 - Status switched to Vorprüfung (Pre-Check)
24/04/2024 - Application sent to Gemeinde
03/08/2024 - Invitation to Grundkenntnisstest received.
13/09/2024 - Grundkenttnisstest passed (49/50). No interview needed.
25/09/2024 - Gemeinde approval granted.
27/09/2024 - Notification of gemeinde approval received.
20/01/2025 - Notification by email of status change from “Prüfung Gemeinde” to “Prüfung Bund”.
23/01/2025 - Notification of cantonal approval received along with invoice for Gemeinde and Cantonal approvals.
06/02/2025 - Invoice from SEM received and paid immediately.
20/06/2025 - Status changed to Schlussprüfung.
06/10/2025 - Status changed to Abschluss.

[aqopen]

Hello everyone, I’ve been following this thread for some time, and here is my own timeline.

Canton ZH, not stadt Zurich, non-EU

Dec 2024: Application submitted
Feb 2025: Vorprufung
May 2025: Prufung Gemeinde
Oct 2025: Gemeinde Bürgerrecht

We’re expecting a baby soon. I’m trying to see how to include the newborn in my application, and I dont find much documentation.

Could someone share their experience?

[megapixel]

send an email to the Canton and they will guide you. You will need to submit the birth certificate and maybe some additional documents.

[Helvtiminer]

Greetings SF family!

I just submitted my application together with my kids for a gemeinde in kt ZH. Got the “In Eröfnung” notification so the journey begins! It’s very useful to read all your timelines so I can manage my expectations based on that. Thanks a lot for sharing your experiences. I’ll keep you posted.

Cheers

[omtatsat]

A naturalization case shows: The State Secretariat demands that a woman give preference to people with a Swiss pedigree as references. “Unacceptable,” says a Social Democratic Party politician.

[v4r]

Where can you check these statuses? Are they specific to canton Zurich?
I couldn’t find anything from VD. The last letter I received from the authorities said that my case was with SEM and this was 2 months ago.

[tdbrock]

I contacted Stadt Zurich and they immediately updated my status to have me registered as a Swiss citizen. However, there now seems to be a longer than normal wait for passport appointments. The earliest appointment I could get is almost 2 weeks from now.

[blings]

@v4r

Where can you check these statuses? Are they specific to canton Zurich?
I couldn’t find anything from VD. The last letter I received from the authorities said that my case was with SEM and this was 2 months ago.

Yes they are canton specific and the procedure varies widely (eg some cantons do the communal stage last, others first, etc).

In VD there is no online, in your case around Jan or a bit later you should get an invitation to a ceremony in Lausanne (they are monthly), you become a citizen on the day of the ceremony and can apply for a passport/id 3 days later.

[Bowlie]

@blings

In VD there is no online, in your case around Jan or a bit later you should get an invitation to a ceremony in Lausanne (they are monthly), you become a citizen on the day of the ceremony and can apply for a passport/id 3 days later.

Correct! And don’t forget to take your Permit with you. They want it back and you won’t be allowed to participate if you don’t have it.

[Silvano]

Congratulations ! I noticed the same problem, but if you check often, you may find a slot that was cancelled by someone.

[tdbrock]

Thanks for the tip. I’ll try that.

[v4r]

Yeah, they told me in the letter that it would take around 8 months. Hopefully, it would be sooner like you said.

What is this invoice from SEM? I haven’t received anything from SEM (yet?)

[tdbrock]

Here is my complete and final timeline. Thanks to all of you for following and listening to my story. To those of you who are about to start or are still going through the process, hang in there and the best of luck! You will get through it!

29/11/2023 - Application submitted
14/02/2024 - Status switched to Vorprüfung (Pre-Check)
24/04/2024 - Application sent to Gemeinde
03/08/2024 - Invitation to Grundkenntnisstest received.
13/09/2024 - Grundkenttnisstest passed (49/50). No interview needed.
25/09/2024 - Gemeinde approval granted.
27/09/2024 - Notification of gemeinde approval received.
20/01/2025 - Notification by email of status change from “Prüfung Gemeinde” to “Prüfung Bund”.
23/01/2025 - Notification of cantonal approval received along with invoice for Gemeinde and Cantonal approvals.
06/02/2025 - Invoice from SEM received and paid immediately.
20/06/2025 - Status changed to Schlussprüfung.
06/10/2025 - Status changed to Abschluss.
09/10/2025 - Received “Golden Letter”. Information updated on Infostar immediately upon email request to the Gemeinde (Zurich City).
14/10/2025 - Passport & ID card appointment.
17/10/2025 - Passport & ID delivered by courier.

[AmbientLight]

My turn to share an update - application status changed to “Abschluss”. This last stage took around 3.5 months, pretty much in line with recent reports from this forum. Next is the official “golden” letter and Passbüro… almost there!

@AmbientLight

My application’s status changed to “Schlussprüfung” status today, SEM step took “just” around 3 months. On a final stretch of the waiting marathon…

@AmbientLight

UPDATE:

• end of Mar’25: email notification from eEinbürgerung about status change to “Prüfung Bund”
• 1st week of Apr’25: mail with confirmation of the Kantonsbürgerrecht and invoices for Gemeindebürgerrecht and Kantonsbürgerrecht.

Overall it’s going more or less in accordance with the schedule, already shared in this forum for Zürich. Back to sleeping mode, waiting for confirmation from SEM now…

[Soon_Swiss]

Hi everyone, especially those who have applied in Stadt Zürich. Aside from the knowledge test, were you asked to provide any additional proof of integration? For example, being part of a Verein or demonstrating interaction with Swiss residents—such as providing local contacts?