Short-Term Visitor Guidelines
Physicists wishing to spend a short period at TH, typically from one week to three months, should apply for a short-term visit.
To ensure the smooth operation of the visitor programme, the following guidelines apply:
- All applications must be submitted through the online application form.
- Applications should be submitted well in advance of the proposed start date. The Visitor Committee normally communicates its decision within 4-6 weeks of receiving an application.
- If a visa is required, applicants should allow an additional 8-10 weeks for processing.
- Requests submitted less than four weeks before the proposed arrival date may not be considered.
- Visitors who arrive without prior approval will not be provided with office space, although they may use desks in the library and other public areas.
- Requests that do not require financial support from CERN are NOT automatically approved and must still be reviewed by the Visitor Committee.
- Affiliation: please note that all visitors are required to be affiliated with (i.e. hold a contract of employment), be enrolled as a student at, or be an emeritus member of, a recognised academic or research institution. Visit requests from candidates with no formal links to an institution unfortunately cannot be accepted.
Former Staff Members are not eligible to receive financial support during the 12 months following the end of their contract
Former SASS or CASS holders are subject to a waiting period equivalent to half the duration of their contract. For example, a six-month SASS appointment would require a three-month waiting period before financial support may be granted.
All visitors are expected to be at CERN for the full duration of the approved visit. Any exceptional absence must have approval by the department.
Practical Information
Health insurance
In view of the extremely high cost of health care in Geneva, all visitors are required to have health insurance cover valid for Switzerland for the duration of their stay, covering illness and accident. Please carry proof of insurance with you.
Visas
In view of CERN’s location on both Swiss and French territories, you may need to apply for a multiple-entry Schengen visa (C). If you are not sure whether you need a visa to enter Switzerland or France, we recommend that you contact the relevant consulates to find out what entry requirements apply to you, stating the nature and duration of your visit to CERN.
For a stay of less than three months, to support your C visa application, we will issue you with invitations papers for the relevant Consulate.
For a stay of more than 3 months you must decide on whether you will be residing in France or Switzerland. According to this information we shall either issue you with a Swiss letter of invitation to apply for a special D-visa, or if you chose to reside on the French side, we shall send a Note Verbale to the French authorities and about 2 weeks later, you should go to the consulate with the invitation letter in order to start the application for the special D-type visa.
If you need a visa, please contact the TH secretariat with your full postal (institute) address and e-mail address so that we can send you the necessary formal invitation.
Getting to CERN
CERN housing service
Visitors are responsible for making their own accommodation arrangements. CERN is offering several room type options on site (in Meyrin) and in Saint-Genis Pouilly, France (10 minutes away by bus from CERN). Please note that those rooms at CERN hostel are exclusively for participants (no accompanying persons). More information can be found on the CERN Housing web page .
Guests arriving at the CERN Hotel after midnight on their check-in day, will collect their room key with the security guard on duty at CERN entrance (open 24/7).
If you prefer to stay in a hotel, the Housing Service has identified a number of hotels and apartment hotels in the vicinity of CERN. You can find more details on these by following this link.
Child care Resources
CERN provides the following list of external resources for parents seeking childcare in the local area. Please note that CERN does not have reserved places at these facilities, and all arrangements, vetting, and payments must be managed directly by the parent with the chosen provider.
Childcare Platforms and Agencies
| Region | Service Providers |
| France (Pays de Gex) | Nounou-top • Garder-mes-enfants • O2 Home Services • Le Jardin de Capucine |
| Switzerland (Geneva) | Chaperon Rouge (Red Cross) • Priorité Enfants • Uni-emploi (UNIGE Student Services) |
Notice: The information on this page is for general reference only. The inclusion of these links does not imply endorsement or support by CERN.