Hi,

I am moving to Geneva and have already got a D-type visa. Now I have some questions on the residence permit:

1. The enrollment letter mentions that I should apply for a visa and residence permit the time I receive the letter. I found a similar thread here:
https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...tudy-visa.html
In my case, I have got the visa with a letter from the CERN. When should I apply for the residence permit, now or after my arrival in Geneva?

2. In the supporting document list (https://demain.ge.ch/obtenir-permis-...ant-pays-tiers), there is an "Extrait du casier judiciaire". I am a little confused. Should I require this document from the local government in my hometown?

3. When applying for a permit, can I use the address of a hotel or Airbnb? From
https://www.englishforum.ch/permits-...g-address.html
the answer seems to be a "yes". It would be helpful if someone could confirm that.

Thank you very much for your help!

1. Now because you will not get a visa without having permit approval first. The letter from CERN doesn't grant you a visa or permit, that's down to the Swiss authorities.

2. Yes.

3. Should be able to, but it needs to be a long term stay of several weeks since the permit will take time to issue and will be posted to you when ready.

Thank you Medea!

The Embassy of Switzerland have returned the passport to me with the visa stamp (multiple entry). But I did not send any application to the OCPM of Geneva before. Does that mean I could apply for the residence permit after my arrival?

Concerning point 3, is it possible to inform the office to change my address before the permit is posted?

I would apply now, it starts the process off which hopefully means you get the permit a bit quicker.

Maybe, but the point is an hotel or AirBnB booking for only a week or two isn't likely to be considered an acceptable address for permit application. Unless you also have another permanent rental set up, but aren't able to move into straightaway you'd need at least a month in an hotel/AirBnB for the address to be accepted. Check with Geneva migration office if you can (I know they're not the best in responding to queries, but you can try).

You may be able to change the address during the process, but may also pay extra for doing so.

That's helpful. Thanks a lot!

I thought at CERN it was Carte De Legitimation, or equivalent if you will live in France.

I see. The invitation letter from CERN does mention Carte De Legitimation. I will ask the secretary about this.

So as a student, I need to apply for a residence permit from the canton of Geneva following what the enrollment letter instructs. However, as a member of CERN, I am able to obtain a Carte De Legitimation. Since both documents will entitle me to live in Switzerland, I don't have to apply for a residence permit from the canton. Is that correct?

It may be a Carte, not sure what happens with PhDs at NGOs.

This page from CERN may help:
http://admin-eguide.web.cern.ch/en/p...re/swiss-cards

Briefly, it looks like you submit all your documentation to CERN and they send it to the Swiss authorities, who in turn issue the carte. You do not register at the local municipality under "normal" procedures.