French visas

The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs (hereinafter "MAE") has informed CERN of the following new regulations governing the visas required when submitting requests for French legitimation documents (cf. in particular paragraph b) below concerning the facilities recently granted to certain categories of persons who are not nationals of Switzerland or of a member state of the European Economic Area). This notification replaces that which appeared in Bulletin No.19/2006 (ref. CERN/DSU-DO/RH/13173/Rev.).

To qualify for a special residence permit from the MAE, persons who are not nationals of Switzerland or of a member state of the European Economic Area (hereinafter "EEA") must present the following upon arrival at CERN:

a) either a “D”-type (long-stay) French visa marked “carte PROMAE à solliciter à l’arrivée”, even if they are not subject to the requirement to obtain an entrance and short-stay visa in France;

b) or a French "C"-type (short-stay) visa or a photocopy of a valid residence permit issued by a state applying the Schengen Agreement if they are the spouse, dependent child or ascendant of a national of Switzerland or of a member state of the EEA other than France and are subject to the requirement to obtain an entrance and short-stay visa in France.

Thus, the only persons not required to present one of the above-mentioned documents are:

− persons who are nationals of Switzerland or of a member state of the EEA and

− persons who are not nationals of these countries but are the spouse, dependent child or ascendant of a national of Switzerland or of a member state of the EEA, except France, and are not subject to the requirement to obtain an entrance and short-stay visa in France (N.B. The family members of a French national who are not nationals of Switzerland or of a member state of the EEA must present a "D"-type visa, in accordance with paragraph a) above).

Members of the personnel for whom an application for an EF-type "Attestation de fonctions" is to be made must hold a French "C"-type (short-stay) visa if they are not nationals of Switzerland or of a member state of the EEA (a "D"-type visa is also accepted).

As the regulations governing this subject are complex and may change, you are strongly advised to contact the French consulate responsible for your main place of residence to find out about the entrance and residence conditions applicable to you, allowing sufficient time to obtain any visa you may require.