Implementing provisions to the Citizenship Ordinance (AB BRV) - Information Session (ABBRV)

1. Minors aged over 16 years who are applicants must attend the event together with a person holding legal representation.

2. Minors under the age of 16 are not required to attend the event. Minors under the age of 12 are excluded from attending the event. In any case, the person holding legal representation must attend the event.

3. A confirmation of attendance, valid for three years, will be issued for attending the event. Upon submission of the application, the confirmation remains valid until the conclusion of the procedure.

1. The Vocational and Continuing Education Center Obwalden (BWZ) may conduct a preparatory course to attain the necessary language competencies.

2. The preparatory course is voluntary for the applicants.

1. Language proficiency assessments are conducted by organizations that offer a language certificate recognized by the State Secretariat for Migration.

2. ...

1. The BWZ can conduct a preparatory course for acquiring the necessary basic civic knowledge.

2. The preparatory course is voluntary for the applicants.

1. The examinations are conducted by the BWZ. They are in written form and are concluded with a certificate detailing the examination results.

2. The specific examination content is regularly reviewed by the Office of Justice and, in consultation with the BWZ, is adapted to current conditions.

1. The certificate of passing the examination is issued with a validity period of two years. Upon submission of the application, the certificate remains valid until the conclusion of the procedure.

1. The cantonal police prepares the conduct report. For this purpose, it carries out the necessary clarifications and conducts the required interviews with the applicants.

1. The Report of the Cantonal Police includes information, in particular on the following topics

a. Reporting conditions (including based on the dossier of the Migration Department);

b. Personal circumstances (including marital status, health condition, child and adult protection proceedings, etc.);

c. Military status;

d. Financial circumstances;

e. Familiarity with the relevant conditions;

f. Observance of public safety and order;

g. Respect for the values of the Federal Constitution;

h. Participation in economic life or in obtaining education;

i. Promotion of the integration of family members.

1. If a child reaches the age of 12 during the naturalization process (Article 30 of the Swiss Citizenship Act), a supplementary conduct report must be prepared after completing the preliminary procedure, before the next naturalization authority makes a decision.

1. The following flat-rate fees apply for naturalization applications by foreign nationals (amounts in CHF)

a. Individual: 1,000.-

b. Married couples: 1,600.-

c. Per child (included in the application): 300.-

d. * Minors who are not employed, pupils, and students: 800.-

2. The following flat-rate fees apply for naturalization applications by individuals with Swiss citizenship (amounts in CHF)

a. Individual: 700.-

b. Married couples: 1,100.-

c. Per child (included in the application): 200.-

d. * Minors who are not employed, pupils, and students: 600.-

3. The following flat-rate fees apply for applications for release from citizenship (amounts in CHF)

a. Individual: 300.-

b. Married couple: 500.-

c. Per child (included in the application): 100.-

d. * Minors who are not employed, pupils, and students: 200.-

4. For particularly extensive investigations related to a naturalization or release application, the fee may be reasonably increased according to the effort involved, but not by more than double.

5. The calculation of fees is based on the time of the decision regarding assurance or release. If the included child is of legal age at this time, the correspondingly higher rates apply. Married couples must be married at this time.

1. The costs for the language proficiency analysis and the examination of basic civic knowledge are to be borne by the applicant (principle of cost recovery). These costs will be directly invoiced by the provider of the recognized language certificate or by the BWZ.

2. The costs for the language proficiency analysis (written and oral) are determined by the regulations of the respective provider.

3. The costs for the examination of basic civic knowledge range from CHF 50 to CHF 80.

1. The costs for drafting the conduct report are to be borne by the requesting person. They are calculated per conduct report according to the number of persons to be investigated therein and the effort involved. The costs are invoiced directly by the police command. Furthermore, the implementation provisions regarding costs for police services dated January 11, 2005, are applicable.

1. Certificates issued under previous law concerning the results of analysis and testing shall generally remain valid under the new law.

2. Certificates issued under previous law concerning the examination of fundamental civic knowledge shall be valid for a duration of two years from the enactment of the new law. Upon submission of the application, the certificates shall remain valid until the conclusion of the procedure.

3. Confirmations issued under previous law for attending the information session shall be valid for a duration of three years from the enactment of the new law. Upon submission of the application, they shall remain valid until the conclusion of the procedure.