I JUST found out I received a WHO internship, but it starts in one month, and I am freaking out about getting everything done in one month - someone please tell me it can be done!!
I thought I didn't need a visa b/c my stay is less than 90 days, but I called the embassy, and they said I do require a work permit (but it will be expedited b/c of the WHO). I can't tell b/c of the wording if I fill out the form D application or the short-term stay application though?
Also, I don't have the 6-8 weeks it requires to get a work permit (I believe I need the "L" one). I called the number on this website ( http://www.ge.ch/ocp/contact.asp ) and they said the alternative is to get a work visa and then go to the OCP on arrival for a work visa, but they were unaware how long they takes.
Any suggestions/advice would be greatly appreciated!! Thanks in advance!!
Fill out the form D application.
A visa to start an internship at an international organisation is issued locally by the embassy / consulate, based on the internship offer letter, and usually takes days. It is not a Swiss work permit issued by the canton, and is not sent to Switzerland for processing.
After you arrive in Switzerland your organisation will issue something called a carte de legitimation to you that will be valid for the duration of the internship. You do not need to go to the OCP.
Check with the internship section of WHO. Normally you can enter CH with an entry visa, or in your case you do not need one. Once you arrive here WHO will process your "carte de legitimation" and not a permit.
OCP will not entertain you because they do not process carte de legitimation, this is only done by the international organization with the host country.
1. Arrive as tourist.
2. Apply for carte de legitimation H (which is issued by the Swiss authorities only in exceptional and duly justified circumstances and means that you will be admitted to Switzerland but will not enjoy any of the privileges and immunities normally granted to international civil servants) - HR at WHO should take care of paperwork for you.
3. Wait 2-3 weeks (often while starting work).
4. Receive card and thus legitimacy to work and live.
Edit: and congrats on the internship! Beautiful time to be on the lake
Do NOT arrive as a tourist. You are entering Switzerland for a different purpose, to start working at an international organisation. A visa for this internship will take days to get, not weeks.
Arriving without a visa will cause problems and may result in your carte de legitimation being denied, despite the best efforts of WHO HR.
Completely untrue, based on my experience. I arrived as a tourist with my US passport and it took 10 working days to get my CdL (which is the only documentation you'll need to live and work here).
What I would add is that you do not tell the border agents that you intend to work here - THAT may cause problems. Instead, just say you are here to travel.
There is nothing you will be able to accomplish before arriving into Switzerland, which means there is no other way about this.
I called the embassy (and somehow managed to get a live talking person after a long time of randomly pushing buttons) - he said they "contract out" w/ WHO if you will and expedite the process for work visas with them, and it should only take 10 business days. I think the work visa is doable before I leave, but I just didn't know what form to fill out also. Also, it requires a "employment letter or work contract" - all I have is the "terms of reference" for my internship, do you think that will suffice? I emailed WHO contacts asking for another letter, but I don't know how long that will take them, and I can drive up to the embassy on Friday to deal with my application (the guy also said that was preferable in case anything was wrong with it).
Thank you all for your help and prompt responses! I am already starting to feel a little less panicked about the work permit at least.
I wouldn't expect this. I work for UNEP and not WHO (same process though) and I've never heard of anyone receiving a CdL before arrival.
Is a CdL a work permit or work visa? I am referring to the work visa just for my passport. Sorry and thanks in advance!
It's a work and residence permit, separate from your passport. You won't be needing a visa, and there will be nothing attached to your passport (besides entry/exit stamps, which everyone gets). I've been here one year on my CdL alone with no issues entering/leaving Schengen zone.
What is the danger of NOT getting a work visa? Since I'm less than 90 days it shouldn't be an issue, but since I will be at the WHO, I would hate to have this opportunity fall through b/c I didn't do what I was suppose to...
You're coming in the country for the internship, period. Once you get you CdL, only then can you explore employment and a possibility of a work permit.
I can't see why you would be denied your CdL (if this is what you're referring to). Beyond that, as temiatwork says, a work permit is a completely different story and not to be reasonably expected.
Oncearunner, firstly, calm down, and secondly, congratulations on landing an internship with WHO!
Just arrive in Geneva, report to whomsoever at WHO, and you will find that all the administrative formalities will have been completed by that august body on your behalf! You really do not have to do anything, other than to ensure that you pack your basic essentials!
May/June is a lovely time of the year to visit Geneva, so ENJOY! And good luck!
And start looking for a place to live ASAP... that is usually the more difficult part!
There are lots of facebook groups for UN interns in Geneva where you may be able to find options though. And a search on the forum should also give you some leads.