Hi Max: I can't answer your question for sure. But one of my collateral ancestors applied in Hoya between 1868-70 but then lived in Bremen for almost 10 years before actually leaving. I've assumed that he had to earn money for the passage (had several children) and I do know that in order to work in Bremen at that time one had to become a citizen of Bremen (as opposed to Hannover). And all this presumably took a great deal of time. So I don't imagine there were official time limits - however, remember that Prussia tried to put every obstacle in their way, esp. those from Hannover. Jane
Jane Swan
jeswansong@earthlink.net
Why Wait? Move to EarthLink.