Pre-arrival formalities
If you are an existing User, COAS or VISC from outside the EU/Schengen and are currently registered with an average presence at CERN of 50% or less and are visiting CERN with no intention of taking up residence in the Local Area, you must complete the formalities below:
1. Obtain the necessary documents
Valid C visa > cf. Visa requirements and procedure for France and Switzerland.
Convention d'accueil (to be requested from your Experiment / Group Secretariat)
N.B.: third country nationals (including US citizens) not subject to short-stay C visa requirements as tourists must obtain a short-stay C visa for Switzerland when staying at CERN for a total of more than 8 days within the same calendar year and engaging in gainful occupation (including when the employer is based outside of Switzerland). Please refer to the Swiss authorities' overview of visa provisions according to nationality, paying particular attention to the "V1" specification.
N.B.: holders of a residence permit issued by one of the Schengen states are entitled to stay for a maximum of 90 days in (an)other Schengen state(s) in any 180 day-period.
2. Organize your health insurance and social security
Health Insurance: all Users, Cooperation Associates (COAS) and Visiting Scientists (VISCs) specifically and all Associated Members of the Personnel (MPAs) in general must have health and accident insurance (including protection against occupational illnesses and occupational accidents) providing adequate cover in Switzerland and France, as well as in any countries visited on duty travel. Additionally, any accompanying family members must also have health and accident insurance providing adequate cover in Switzerland and France. If, for any reason, the home institution is unable to provide the MPA with such health and accident insurance, it must be obtained by the MPA.
