There are three general types of visas when you travel to the Czech Republic. There is the employment visa (or the Employee card), there is the study visa, and the tourist visa, which is better known as the Schengen visa. Each is for different purposes and acquirable by different people. Here is a short summary of what each one does together with a few links to help you get started on your visa application process.
Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
That all depends on which country you’re from or which nationality you’re holding. There are a few general rules:
- You don’t need a visa if you’re a citizen of one of the EU countries including post-Brexit Britain, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland.
- If you already have a Schengen visa, you don’t need a special visa from the Czech Republic. Though in a few special cases, you might encounter a Schengen visa with a limited territory of movement which would bar you from entry. Also know that Schengen visas are not obtainable at a border crossing or an airport, which means you have to apply for it before your trip.
- If you’re a family member of an EU citizen, and you hold a temporary or a permanent residence permit in a different EU country, you may enter the Czech Republic without a visa even if you yourself are not of an EU nationality.
- You don’t need a visa if you are from: Albania*, Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bosnia & Herzegovina*, Brazil, Brunei, Canada*, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Guatemala, Honduras, Hong Kong*, Israel, Japan, Macedonia*, Macao*, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro*, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Saint Christopher & Nevis, Salvador, San Marino, Serbia*, Seychelles, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan*, Trinidad and Tobago, USA, Uruguay, Vatican, Venezuela.
*some restrictions may apply
If you don’t comply with any of these requirements, you will need a visa to enter the Czech Republic. For more information see this website.
How do I get an employment visa for Czech Republic?
There is a new employment visa, a plastic card with biometric features which permits you to stay in the Czech Republic usually for the length of your employment at one specific company (though not for longer than 2 years) and can be re-issued. It is important to note that it replaces the visa for a stay of over 90 days for the purpose of employment, a long-term residence permit for the purpose of employment, and a Green Card all of which are no longer be issued (though the Blue card remains). It is also good to know that this card is not intended for EU citizens and their relatives with permanent residences in other EU countries.
First, you need to find a job and apply for work there. The employer will then contact the Employment Office which will then open the position you have applied for to Czech nationals. If the position is not filled, you can apply for the employee card. After that, you can send the application form to the regional Public Employment Office together with some other documents such as the photocopy of your travel document, a statement of the employer that will employ you, etc. If your job needs a specific level of education, your certificate might need to go through a process of recognition by the Czech Republic known as nostrification, which usually takes about a month or longer. For more info go to this website.
How do I get a student visa for Czech Republic?
You are eligible to apply for a student visa if the university/program is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic. If it’s not, you must apply for the long-term visa for other purposes.
There are over ten steps to this which you have to go through, including the submission of the application form, sending of your passport, providing proof of accommodation and sufficient funds as well as a criminal history check, and much more. To make sure that you follow them well, here’s a step by step guide which should see you through it safely.
How do I get a tourist visa for Czech Republic?
The best visa for seeing the beauties of the Czech Republic is the Schengen visa which we have written more about in our other article.
