From 1 August 2026 the State Secretariat for Migration (SEM) and the cantonal authorities have moved their ordinary naturalisation workflow to a fully digital platform. Until now, cantons posted bulky paper dossiers to Bern for federal approval, a process that could add six to eight weeks to an application. Under the new system, cantonal clerks upload the completed file—including background checks, language certificates and integration reports—via a secure portal. SEM officials can request clarifications or send decisions electronically and the applicant is automatically notified. The Federal Council says the change will save CHF 2 million a year in postage and scanning costs and reduce average processing times by “at least one month”. For employers, the upgrade is more than an administrative tidy-up. Many staff on B or C permits apply for citizenship after years on international assignment; faster approvals shorten the limbo period in which travel to certain countries can be complicated and dual-taxation agreements cannot be fully leveraged. Global mobility managers will also be able to track the status of sponsored applications in real time, improving workforce planning. Immigration lawyers note that requirements themselves—minimum residence, integration criteria and municipal interviews—remain unchanged. Cantons must still issue their own decrees, and the three-level federal system means local variation persists. However, they predict the digital files will make it harder for municipalities to sit on cases, bringing greater consistency nationwide. Applicants should scan and upload original diplomas and proof of language competence early, as incomplete digital files will be returned without being queued. SEM warns that data accuracy will be strictly enforced because machine-readable files feed directly into the central foreigners register. Overall, the reform is expected to make Switzerland’s path to citizenship more transparent and predictable for long-term foreign residents and their employers.
Source: SWI swissinfo.ch
