British Residents' Association of Switzerland

New English Publication

webmaster — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 15:49:07 +0000

There is a new, free magazine “Hello Switzerland” This magazine depends on advertisers to survive so please subscribe to it: you do yourself and them a favour! Subscribe here

CONSULAR NETWORK IN SWITZERLAND

webmaster — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 21:06:37 +0000

The British Embassy has now completed its restructuring of the consular network in Switzerland, which has been underway since summer 2010. The objective of the restructuring has been to ensure that British citizens can access the right professional consular assistance as quickly as possible in the event of need. We have therefore centralised and expanded our professional consular team in Berne. At the same time, we have appointed a new network of Consular Wardens. Unlike the previous Honorary Consuls, the Consular Wardens are not officially recognised by the Swiss authorities as consular agents under the Vienna Convention on Consular Relations and so will not provide consular services or have their contact details published. The Consular Wardens will provide the Embassy with assistance and advice in the event of emergencies or unusual events affecting British citizens.

The Embassy is pleased to announce the following Consular Warden appointments:

Peter Steimle - Ticino region
Erwin Burn – Basle and Zurich region
Jean-Marc Thevenaz - Geneva region

All consular services will be delivered by the Embassy in Berne and all queries directed there. The Embassy website contains information about passport and visa matters, as well as consular services: www.ukinswitzerland.fco.gov.uk

IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

With the closure of the Consulate General in Geneva and the Honorary Consulates elsewhere, BRA Members may be wondering what happens, for example, in the case of an emergency affecting a British national after Embassy office hours. The BRA has been advised that if the caller feels that it is indeed an emergency and cannot wait until the Embassy reopens, they should listen to the recorded message on its switchboard, 031 3597700, for instructions on connecting to a help-desk at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in London. If the response team feels that it is a genuine emergency, they will call one of the Consular team in Berne and provide all the details. The duty Consular officer will then contact the British national.

Switzerland, a very short introduction

webmaster — Wed, 10 Aug 2011 17:16:36 +0000

For expatriates, Swiss ways and customs might sometimes appear peculiar.

How can you improve your chances to integrate better? How can you make the most of your professional expertise in the specific context that characterizes Switzerland?

To help you understand what makes Switzerland so Swiss, the EPFL is organizing a new course:

Switzerland, a very short introduction

in 6 modules from October to December 2011

Renowned experts from academia, business and politics will share their insights on the political, economic, legal, social and cultural characteristics of Switzerland.

For additional information click here

CONTINUING EDUCATION UNIL-EPFL
CH-1015 Lausanne
Tel.: +41 21 693 71 20

formcont@unil.ch

Revised Articles of Association

webmaster — Mon, 27 Jun 2011 21:04:06 +0000

Following the decisions taken at the AGM 2011 a new version of the Articles of Association is available for you to download on our “Documents” page.

VOTES FOR BRITISH EXPATS?

webmaster — Wed, 22 Jun 2011 10:16:46 +0000

Under UK law, expatriates who have spent more than 15 years abroad are denied the vote. But World War II veteran, Harry Shindler, who lives in Italy, has gone to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) in an effort to change the British Government’s mind. As a result of his submission, the ECHR has asked the Government to reply to a number of questions.
During a House of Lords debate on 2 March, Viscount Astor (Conservative) requested the Government to consider changing voting arrangements for British citizens residing abroad and members of the Armed Forces serving abroad. The proposal had wide cross party support during the debate and as a result, the Parliamentary Secretary for Political and Constitutional Reform, Mark Harper, was informed and appeared to be minded to introduce a bill. Time will tell whether it will produce the desired result.
For more detailed information, see these websites: European Court for Human Rights (Harry Shindler case) and Votes for Expat Brits

Dr Sylvia Moore

British Citizenship for your children/grandchildren/spouse

webmaster — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 09:16:39 +0000

The British Embassy in Berne has provided the following definition:

Children

1. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad after 1 January 1983, of a parent who is a British Citizen by descent (who had a father or mother born in the United Kingdom) has an entitlement to be registered as a British Citizen (by descent) if the parent in question has at any time before the child’s birth lived in the United Kingdom for a continuous period of 3 years, and the application for registration is made within one year of the child’s birth. If the parent who is a British Citizen by descent has not lived in the United Kingdom for a period of three years prior to his/her child’s birth, then the child has no claim to British Citizenship.

2. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad of a parent who is a British Citizen by descent may be registered as a British Citizen (otherwise than by descent) if the family returns to live in the UK for at least 3 years. An application under this provision must be made before the child’s eighteenth birthday.

3. Children born abroad before 1 January 1983 of a foreign father and of a British mother who was born in the United Kingdom, can be registered as British citizens at the Home Office, or through a Consulate if living abroad, provided these children are minors i.e. under 18 years of age.

4. Children born in the UK after 1January 1983, to a parent who is British by birth or by descent, will automatically be British Citizens “otherwise than by descent”.

Spouses

5. The wife or husband of a British Citizen may apply for naturalisation as a British Citizen immediately after completing three years’ legal residence in the United Kingdom. This three years may begin with the applicant’s admission to the UK as a spouse, but her/his stay must not be subject to any time limit on the date of application, i.e. she/he must have permission from the Home Office to remain in the UK permanently when she/he applies. Periods of previous residence in the UK do not count towards this requirement. The applicant must be 18 or over.

Further details
6. The above gives only a simple outline of the British Nationality Act 1981 provisions for children born abroad and foreign-born spouses to become British Citizens. For fuller details and advice on how to apply you should contact: British Embassy, 50 Thunstrasse, 3005 Berne,Tel: 031 359 77 00. See also the Embassy website

Children
1. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad after 1 January
1983, of a parent who is a British Citizen by descent (who had a father
or mother born in the United Kingdom) has an entitlement to be
registered as a British Citizen (by descent) if the parent in question
has at any time before the child’s birth lived in the United Kingdom for
a continuous period of 3 years, and the application for registration is
made within one year of the child’s birth. If the parent who is a British
Citizen by descent has not lived in the United Kingdom for a period of
three years prior to his/her child’s birth, then the child has no claim to
British Citizenship.
2. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad of a parent who is
a British Citizen by descent may be registered as a British Citizen
(otherwise than by descent) if the family returns to live in the UK for at
least 3 years. An application under this provision must be made before
the child’s eighteenth birthday.
3. Children born abroad before 1 January 1983 of a foreign father and
of a British mother who was born in the United Kingdom, can be
registered as British citizens at the Home Office, or through a
Consulate if living abroad, provided these children are minors i.e.,
under 18 years of age.
4. Children born in the UK after 1January 1983, to a parent who is
British by birth or by descent, will automatically be British Citizens
“otherwise than by descent”.
Spouses
5. The wife or husband of a British Citizen may apply for naturalisation
as a British Citizen immediately after completing three years’ legal
residence in the United Kingdom. This three years may begin with the
applicant’s admission to the UK as a spouse, but her/his stay must not
be subject to any time limit on the date of application, i.e. she/he must
have permission from the Home Office to remain in the UK
permanently when she/he applies. Periods of previous residence in
the UK do not count towards this requirement. The applicant must be
18 or over.
Further details
6. The above gives only a simple outline of the British Nationality Act
1981 provisions for children born abroad and foreign-born spouses to
become British Citizens. For fuller details and advice on how to apply
you should contact: British Embassy, 50 Thunstrasse, 3005 Berne,Tel:
031 3597700. See also: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
britishcitizenshipChildren
1. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad after 1 January
1983, of a parent who is a British Citizen by descent (who had a father
or mother born in the United Kingdom) has an entitlement to be
registered as a British Citizen (by descent) if the parent in question
has at any time before the child’s birth lived in the United Kingdom for
a continuous period of 3 years, and the application for registration is
made within one year of the child’s birth. If the parent who is a British
Citizen by descent has not lived in the United Kingdom for a period of
three years prior to his/her child’s birth, then the child has no claim to
British Citizenship.
2. A child, born in Switzerland or elsewhere abroad of a parent who is
a British Citizen by descent may be registered as a British Citizen
(otherwise than by descent) if the family returns to live in the UK for at
least 3 years. An application under this provision must be made before
the child’s eighteenth birthday.
3. Children born abroad before 1 January 1983 of a foreign father and
of a British mother who was born in the United Kingdom, can be
registered as British citizens at the Home Office, or through a
Consulate if living abroad, provided these children are minors i.e.,
under 18 years of age.
4. Children born in the UK after 1January 1983, to a parent who is
British by birth or by descent, will automatically be British Citizens
“otherwise than by descent”.
Spouses
5. The wife or husband of a British Citizen may apply for naturalisation
as a British Citizen immediately after completing three years’ legal
residence in the United Kingdom. This three years may begin with the
applicant’s admission to the UK as a spouse, but her/his stay must not
be subject to any time limit on the date of application, i.e. she/he must
have permission from the Home Office to remain in the UK
permanently when she/he applies. Periods of previous residence in
the UK do not count towards this requirement. The applicant must be
18 or over.
Further details
6. The above gives only a simple outline of the British Nationality Act
1981 provisions for children born abroad and foreign-born spouses to
become British Citizens. For fuller details and advice on how to apply
you should contact: British Embassy, 50 Thunstrasse, 3005 Berne,Tel:
031 3597700. See also: www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/
britishcitizenship

Know anyone in difficulties?

webmaster — Wed, 18 Feb 2009 13:18:40 +0000

If anyone you know of, or even you yourself are in difficulties of any sort, please do not hesitate to let us know. We have direct contact to a number of charitable trusts which could help with financial problems and we hope to set up visiting services and possibly even legal assistance at favourable rates for members experiencing problems such as divorce or estates.
These services are available to British Nationals permanently resident in Switzerland but some may be restricted to BRA members.