Procedure for obtaining visas for Switzerland and France - signature rights

CERN/IR-DS-RH/21356 - Published on May 27, 2019, updated on May 10, 2023

In accordance with the Status Agreements with CERN, Switzerland and France facilitate the entry of members of the Organization’s personnel on to their territories.  Where relevant, detailed procedures for obtaining visas apply.

Within the framework of those procedures, only the following individuals are authorised to initiate the note verbale procedure as well as to sign the Official Invitation Letters and the Conventions d’accueil.  

  • Kirsti ASPOLA (EP – CMO)
  • Maria BARROSO LOPEZ (IT – RM)
  • Catherine BRANDT (DG – DI)
  • Marilyse BRIFFOUILLIERE (EP – AGS)
  • Hanan BRIOUAL (IR – DO)
  • Michelle CONNOR (TH – GS)
  • Rachelle DECREUSE-MICHAUD (EN – PAS)
  • Gaëlle DUPERRIER (EP – AGS)
  • Nathalie GOURIOU (EP – AGS)
  • Donia GRANDCLAUDE (HR – CBS)
  • Nathalie GRÜB (EP – AGS)
  • Cassandra HEIGHTON (BE – HDO)
  • Georgina HOBGEN (SY – AR)
  • Lucie MAINOLI (SY – AR)
  • Tania PARDO (EP – AGS)
  • Maria QUINTAS (HR – CBS)
  • Kate RICHARDSON (EP – AGS)
  • Emmanuel TSESMELIS (IR – DS)

The French and Swiss Authorities will reject any request signed by a person who is not on this list.

We would like to remind you that in accordance with the memorandum of 7 December 2000 issued by the Director of the Administration, (ref. DG/DA/00-119), "the Organization shall not request any legitimisation document (or residence permit) or visa from the Host States for persons registered as EXTERNAL" (people who do not hold a contract of employment, association or apprenticeship with CERN).

We would also like to remind you that those coming to CERN should find out in good time about the conditions of entry to Switzerland and France applying to them and ensure that they obtain the requisite visas, where applicable, in the country in which they are habitually resident. The application must be completed 6 months to 3 weeks before the travel.

Useful information can be obtained from the Swiss and French diplomatic representations abroad, as well as from the following Web pages:

The Authorities of the Host States have informed the Organization on a number of occasions that they insist upon scrupulous compliance with visa legislation.

Host State Relations Service
relations.secretariat@cern.ch
Tel. 75152