In 1996, CERN has been informed by the Swiss permanent Mission to the International Organizations in Geneva of the introduction of new arrangements concerning access to the Swiss labour market for members of CERN officials' families, that represented substantial progress.

The principle

Spouses and children of CERN officials residing in Switzerland may henceforth work in Switzerland with a special permit known as a "Ci" permit. This permit is not subject to the customary regulations governing the recruitment of foreign labour or to the collective labour agreements.

Those entitled to benefit

• Spouses of members of the personnel resident in Switzerland holding a "carte de légitimation" "B", "C", "D", "E", "I", "L" or "P" issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and residing with the main holder (of the "carte de légitimation").
• Single dependent children of members of the personnel resident in Switzerland until 25 years old, holding a "carte de légitimation" "B", "C", "D", "E", "I", "L" or "P" issued by the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and residing with the main holder (of the "carte de légitimation") provided that they entered Switzerland before the age of 21.

The Ci permit becomes null and void when the holder loses his or her entitlement to the "carte de légitimation".

Those not entitled to benefit

• Spouses and children desiring to work a maximum of 10 hours per week. As in the past, special authorisation is granted.
• Children studying in Switzerland wishing to work a maximum of 15 hours per week. As in the past, special authorisation is granted. Non-EU students may start working 6 months after the start of the first academic year.
• Spouses and children of members of the personnel residing in France. However, if they are EU nationals or hold a durable French residence permit (note: a "titre de séjour spécial" is not considered as durable), they may apply for an "autorisation frontalière". Applications will be considered in the light of the situation on the Swiss employment market (cf. https://www.ge.ch/en/apply-cross-border-work-permit/non-eu/efta-cross-border-work-permit-employed-person for non EU citizens or https://www.ge.ch/en/apply-cross-border-work-permit/eu/efta-cross-border-work-permit-employed-person for EU citizens).

The procedure (for those entitled to the Ci permit)

The official obtains completes and returns an application form ("demande d'attestation de permis Ci") to the Cards Service of Human Resources Department (Building 33, 1-024). Human Resources Department will forward it to the Swiss Permanent Mission to the International Organisations in Geneva.

The Swiss Permanent Mission sends this "attestation", which is permanent and does not therefore have to be renewed on change of job, to the private address of the member of the personnel.

The person on whose behalf the application has been made contacts the Cantonal Migrations and Population Office in Geneva (if he or she is resident in the Canton of Geneva) or to the Contrôle de l'habitant in Lausanne (if he or she is resident in the Canton de Vaud) with this "attestation", his or her "carte de légitimation" and a document offering a promise of employment or a contract of employment.

The above-mentioned Office or Service withdraws the "carte de légitimation" and issues a "Ci" permit (cf. https://www.ge.ch/en/working-geneva-with-residence-permit).

Further details

Family members who hold a "B" permit prior to the hiring of the member of the personnel and are not EEE* citizens may now keep it instead of surrender it and obtain a "Ci" permit (cf. https://admin-eguide.web.cern.ch/en/procedure/swiss-cards, § 2.3.2).

Family members who are EEE nationals may immediately opt for a Swiss B permit upon arrival in Switzerland. This choice is irreversible (no subsequent exchange for a legitimation card).

*currently: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Republic of Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.