Before Coming to CERN
Start the Visa process 2 months in advance :
First of all, ALL students coming from a US or Canadian University MUST require a letter of invitation and convention d’accueil to Atlas Secretariat BEFORE arriving.
See the procedure here :
Please take note of this precision concerning short stays at CERN for scientists coming from USA and CANADA :
CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH C VISA IS REQUIRED
If ATLAS members are coming to work on the Swiss side of CERN, between 8 and 90 days, for a gainful activity (see description below), the Swiss mission requires a short term Schengen C visa.
Please follow the procedure on the ATLAS Secretariat website Invitation Letters | ATLAS Secretariat (cern.ch) and choose either
VISA SERVICES GENEVA Visa requirement for US and Canadian nationals – professional activity
I confirm that American and Canadian nationals traveling to Switzerland as part of a gainful activity for a period of more than 8 days are subject to the visa requirement, gainful activity : Activities relating to construction, civil engineering or finishing, hotels and restaurants, industrial or domestic cleaning, surveillance and security ….
Exception : People in possession of a valid Schengen visa or authorization, are not required to get a C visa when arriving in Switzerland.
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CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH C VISA IS NOT REQUIRED
If ATLAS members come for less than 90 days for a “non-gainful activity” as described below, people only have to request the convention d’accueil with the ATLAS Secretariat, see links above to their website.
The Convention d’Accueil IS REQUIRED IN ALL cases, as it serves as a work permit in France for nationals of countries who are not members of EEE & who are not Swiss.
It should be noted that business interviews (missions, mandate negotiations, meetings, workshops, preparatory visits in regards to gainful employment, as well as theoretical and technical courses that are not integrated into a work and production process) are not considered as gainful activity and do not require a visa even if people are paid.
IN ALL CASES for stays between 8 and 90 days, Canadians and Americans MUST come with a letter of invitation and a convention d’accueil
ENTRANCE INTO HOST STATES & VISAS
- If you are subject to a visa, an Invitation letter can be requested via our website
FIRST DAY AT CERN
The following measures and requirements will be applicable to you as a new Associated Member of the Personnel.
There are several steps that you and your Team Leader must take prior to your arrival at CERN in regards to your registration:
New USER registrations– your Team Leader must start the pre-registration for you. Ensure to attach all relevant documents to your request ( HID, passport copy, invitation letter and visa if applicable). Further information here: https://usersoffice.web.cern.ch/ |
- Please refer to the ATLAS secretariat website and ATLAS Newcomers twiki
- For a smooth arrival, you can check Onboarding@CERN pages of the USERS office website.
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Welcome | Users Office (cern.ch)
Your first day at CERN
Step 1
Visit the Users Office to finalise your registration and sign your contract.
- Once at CERN, enter the Main Reception (Building 33), located on the Esplanade des Particules.
- Request a day pass from the reception desk, either directly showing your attestation of pre-registration or specifying that a PRT pre-registration was submitted for you and that you need to visit the Users Office to finalise your registration and sign your contract.
- Once in possession of your day pass, come to the Users Office located in Building 61 (right next to the main restaurant).
N.B.: If you arrive at CERN outside of office hours (evening or weekend), you will be able to enter the site by showing your CERN Hostel booking confirmation to the guards at the entrance, and then visit the Users Office on the next working day.
https://usersoffice.web.cern.ch/i-am-pre-registered-what-happens-next
Step 2
1. Collect your Access Card
- Once you have signed your contract at the Users Office, you will be able to collect your CERN Access Card from the Access and Registration Service (Building 55) located at Entrance B. Your CERN ID remains the same and you will get a new card.
Before I Arrive | Human Resources (cern.ch)
For long stays you must decide in which country you wish to live before requesting your visa :
Cost of Living in Switzerland and France
France in euros // Switzerland in CHF
Housing
Studio 900-1200 // 1350-1750
1 bedroom 1250-1550 // 1900-2100
2 bedroom 1650-2000 // 2500-3000
3 bedroom 1800-2500 // 3500-5000
House 3000-4500 // 5000-…..
House Insurance 250-500 per year // 350-750 per year
Health Insurance 250/month per pers // 500/month per person
Before arriving book a room at the CERN Hostel :
For desks reservations please get in touch with : alexia.leyval@cern.ch
You can reserve a CERN bike or rent a car at CERN here : CERN Mobility Centre | Admin e-guide
Moving from abroad, get in touch with Installation Service installation.service@cern.ch
You need to bring the following papers when you come here :
Wedding certificate, birth certificate and vaccination record for each child.
Car insurance record from your previous insurance to get car insurance offers here.
There is a Facebook group that you can join before or once you arrive at CERN for any contacts or tips: Young@cern
