Types of visas and residence permits in the Czech Republic

The Czech Republic is an attractive country for study, work, business and permanent residence. However, in order to stay here legally, foreign citizens need to obtain a visa (vízum) or a residence permit (povolení k pobytu). In this article we will take a closer look at the types of visas and permits in the Czech Republic, their Czech designations, what is the purpose of stay (účel pobytu) and who decides on the issuance of visas and permits.

Before planning a long-term stay, it is important to understand what types of visas exist in the Czech Republic and how they differ. Below we will look at the main types of visas and their features.

• Short-term visa (krátkodobé vízum)

A short-stay visa is intended for stays in the Czech Republic and other Schengen countries for no more than 90 days in any 180-day period.

• Type: C
• Issued by: Czech Consular Office (konzulární úřad)
• Main purposes: tourism, business travel, participation in short courses or events, guest visits.

• Long-term visa (dlouhodobé vízum)

When you plan to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days, a long-term visa is required. It allows you to live, study or work in the country for up to one year.

• Type: D
• Issued by: Czech Consulate or Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic (Ministerstvo vnitra ČR)
• Main goals: study, work, entrepreneurship, family reunion.

If you plan to stay in the Czech Republic for a longer period of time, you will need to apply for a residence permit. Depending on your goals, there are different forms of legal residence in the country.

• Temporary stay (přechodný pobyt)

Přechodný pobytyt is granted to EU citizens and their immediate family members as well as to third-country nationals in special cases, e.g. under temporary protection (dočasná ochrana).

• Document: Temporary residence card (karta přechodného pobytu)
• Right to work: no need to obtain additional authorization for EU citizens.
• Examples of grounds: work, study, family reunification, temporary protection.

• Long-term residence permit (dlouhodobý pobyt)

For foreigners planning to stay in the Czech Republic for more than one year, a long-term residence permit is issued. It requires a legal basis for stay and compliance with a number of requirements.

• Basis: long-term visa or legal stay in the Czech Republic.
• Typical goals: employment, study, entrepreneurship, academia.

• Permanent residence permit (trvalý pobyt)

A permanent residence permit opens practically the same rights as Czech citizens, except for the right to vote in national elections.

• Conditions: most often granted after 5 years of legal residence.
• Advantages: access to social services, employment without restrictions, possibility of citizenship.

The purpose of stay (účel pobytu) is the main reason for your stay in the Czech Republic. It determines the type of visa or residence permit you must obtain and the documents you will need to submit.

• Studium

One of the most popular purposes is to study in the Czech Republic. Depending on the type of educational institution, the formalities may vary.

• Studying at universities (vysoká škola).
• Education in secondary schools (střední škola).
• Attendance of language courses (jazyková škola) if accredited by the Czech Ministry of Education.

Important: if the courses are not officially accredited, the purpose of the stay is recorded as "other purpose" (jiný účel).

• Work (zaměstnání)

Working in the Czech Republic is an important motivation for obtaining a visa or residence permit. Depending on the type of work, there are different ways to apply.

• Official employment under a labor contract (pracovní smlouva).
• Registration of zaměstnanecká karta or modrá karta for highly qualified specialists.

Job subcategories:

• Routine Employment.
• Blue Card jobs for professionals.
• Transfer within the company (karta vnitropodnikového přemístěníníní).

• Entrepreneurship (podnikání)

Persons planning to run their own business in the Czech Republic or work as self-employed persons (OSVČ) apply for a residence permit for the purpose of "entrepreneurship".

• Running a business or providing professional services.

• Family reunification (sloučení rodiny)

This purpose is suitable for family members of Czech citizens or foreigners legally residing in the country.

• Spouses, children, parents of minor children.

• Scientific activities (vědecký výzkum)

The Czech Republic actively attracts foreign scientists. The registration procedure is simplified for them.

• Working at accredited research institutions.
• Participation in research projects.

• Temporary protection (dočasná ochrana)

In military conflicts, natural disasters and humanitarian crises, the Czech Republic provides temporary protection.

• The right to live and work without having to apply for additional permits.
• Provides access to health care and social programs.

• Strpění pobytu (strpění pobytu)

If the foreigner is in danger when returning to his or her home country or has other valid reasons, he or she may be granted strpění pobytu status.

• Temporary residence permit without standard status.
• Doesn't give you a full set of rights, but protects you from deportation.

• Other purposes (jiný účel)

If your purpose of stay does not fall into the main categories, it is processed as "other purpose".

• Teaching in non-accredited language schools.
• Participation in internships, cultural and sporting events.
• Voluntary Programs and Exchanges.

Visas and residence permits in the Czech Republic are regulated by state authorities. The main one is the Ministry of the Interior (Ministerstvo vnitra České republiky)

Functions of the Ministry:

• Issuance of long-term visas and residence cards.
• Registration of foreigners in the Czech Republic.
• Examination of applications for asylum and temporary protection.

Additionally, interaction is done with:

• Czech Consulates (konzulární úřady) - when applying abroad.
• Foreigners' Police (Cizinecká policie) - in controlling the legality of stay in the country.

Some categories of applicants can apply for special permits to work or stay in the Czech Republic:

• Zaměstnanecká karta - card for standard employment.
• Modrá karta (Blue Card) - a card for highly qualified workers.
• Karta vnitropodnikového přemístění - for transfers of employees within corporations.
• Dočasná ochrana - temporary protection in crisis situations.
• Strpění pobytu - temporary residence permit without deportation.