What is the Immigration Process Like?

So you’ve decided to relocate with your family to the Czech Republic. Whether you are an EU citizen or a citizen of a third country, you’d better be aware of the immigration process procedure. This article will bring you detailed information on the immigration process, obligations and required documents for both EU and non-EU citizens.

EU CITIZENS

EU citizens of the countries which are European Union members, and citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland with similar rights as EU citizens. There are 2 residence types for EU citizens: Temporary residence and Permanent residence.

Temporary residence

A certificate of temporary residence can be requested by an EU citizen who intends to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 3 months and is required to show a proof of residence. Otherwise, temporary residence certificate is not obligatory. The application for issuing a certificate of temporary residence is filed on the appropriate form.

Required documents:

  • A travel document (ID, passport)
  • Application for temporary residence (http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/eu-citizens-and-their-family-members.aspx)
  • a document confirming the purpose of the stay  (employment contract, business agreement, confirmation from school/university). It is not compulsory to have a purpose of stay but you can require a purpose other and you won’t need to submit a document confirming the purpose of stay.
  • travel health insurance, (not required if the purpose of the stay is employment, business or other gainful employment)
  • proof of accommodation
  • 1 photograph

All required documents shall not be older than 180 days except for your ID/passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate and the photograph if it corresponds to your current appearance. You should always submit originals or notarized copies of the documents. All the submitted documents should be officially translated into Czech language.

Permanent residence

An EU citizen can apply for permanent residence after 5 years of continuous living in the Czech Republic. An application for permanent residence can be filed at one of the MOI offices. The application must be submitted in person together with the following documents:

Required documents:

In case of permanent residence applies the same rule: all required documents shall not be older than 180 days except for your ID/passport, birth certificate, marriage certificate and the photographs if they correspond to your current appearance. You should always submit originals or notarized copies of the documents. All the submitted documents should be officially translated into Czech language.

NON-EU CITIZENS

Non-EU citizens are citizens of countries neither members of the EU, nor citizens of Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, and Switzerland, nor their family members. It’s common to use the term “third country nationals” to describe this group of foreigners. Non-EU citizens have a more complex system of visas and residence permits. For instance, they can apply for a short-term visa (stay less than 90 days) or a long-term visa (stay over 90 days). Your next step after you were entitled a long-term visa is to apply for a long-term residence permit.

Long-term residence

You are entitled to apply for a long-term residence permit if you intend to live in the Czech Republic for more than 6 months. At the same time, the purpose of your stay should remain unchanged: employment, studies, etc. An application should be submitted in person together with the following documents:

Required documents:

  • A travel document (ID, passport)
  • a document confirming the purpose of the stay  (employment contract, business agreement, confirmation from school/university)
  • health insurance + receipt of payment
  • proof of accommodation
  • proof of funds (http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-application-requirements-proof-of-funds.aspx)
  • 2 photographs

All required documents shall not be older than 180 days except for your ID/passport and should be officially translated into Czech language.

Employee Card

An employee card is a specific type of long-term residence permit. Employee card is issued for those third-country nationals who are employed in the Czech Republic. An employee card 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.

Permanent residence

After 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic, a foreign national can file an application for permanent residence. If you’ve been staying in the Czech Republic for the purpose of studies, only half of this period will be counted, though. An application for a permanent residence permit can be filed in person at the MOI office where you are registered. The following documents must be submitted together with the application:

Required documents:

The requirements for the application shall not be older than 180 days except for the travel document, the birth certificate, the document demonstrating the knowledge of the Czech language and the photograph if it corresponds to your actual appearance.

AT THE OFFICES

Quite often you can come across an officer who does not speak English. In this case, you can either bring with you a friend who speaks Czech or ask our agency for help. We can provide an interpreter, who speaks Czech fluently and will also be able to advise you on the immigration process in general. It is also a good idea to make an appointment beforehand. This is how you avoid long queues at the offices. There is a special contact number to make an appointment, however, appointments can be made in Czech only. So Foreigners.cz can help you with that too? You can also contact us in case you need apostillization for the documents or nostrification of your diploma. Make sure the immigration process goes smoothly! Foreigners.cz offers immigration packages including complex services for any types of residence permits. Secure an immigration package (http://www.foreigners.cz/immigration-package) for a better relocation experience!

Useful links

Annie Fed

12 thoughts on “What is the Immigration Process Like?

  1. Hello !
    I am a non -EU citizen , married to an EU citizen and we are about to move to Prague , what are my visa options , especially if we decide to stay there for an indefinite time ?
    Thank you !
    Best regards ,
    Mara

  2. Hello
    I did not see in your website about obtaining residency because I married a czeck person

    We live outside the country and the czeck embassy told us they don’t provide this residency for me.

    What can we do ?
    How can you help ?

    Thanks

  3. Nice blogs! The process of getting permanent residence in Switzerland can be much easier for those willing to immigrate to European country. Consider it once

  4. Hello , I’m a,usa citizens and wanting to move to prague my husband is retired do I have to have a job first to move there .
    Please,advise we are wanting to stay long term permanently.
    Please advise

  5. Hello, I am a non-EU applied for a job in Brno and I was interviewed on call at first and then I was invited for in person interview and assessment. I speak English fluently which is a major requirement for the job. How likely am I to get the job and how much I might have to spend on my living in there for a month as the salary is not very high because I am a fresh graduate. Please advise. Thank you!

    1. dear Anupam,

      can you please give me your advise for how did you get this job as am too non EU citizen and willing to move to prague.

      thanks,

  6. can anyone tell me if certificate of termination of studies from university will be enough to sort out the immigration process in order to get a job in brno? or do I need mandatory the degree.
    Thanks

  7. Hello,

    I am a student at Masaryk University in Brno. I have 6 months D type Visa to stay here in the Czech Republic. I have 2 questions.
    1) Can I do a part-time job in here Brno or somewhere without employee card? if it is, Can I apply for the card?
    2) Can I extend my visa duration for another 6 months? since 10th of jully 2019 to February 2020?

  8. Dear Friend
    I wish you a happy day
    I would like assistance with visa for studing Czech language one month
    1 – what conditions to study ?
    2 – The period of study one month ?
    3 – beginning visa application for studing language ?
    4 -The cost of study ?

    Regards
    Haitham

    Adress :
    Eng. Haitham Ibrahim
    North of School excelling , Tartus City , Syria
    Phone: 0096343214140
    mobile , WhatsApp, : 00963933613646
    E-mail : commercialpeacefirm@gmail.com

    1. Hello Haitham,

      Thank you for your comment! Check our web. For further questions, please write at info@foreigners.cz and my colleagues will get to back to you as soon as possible.

      Kind regards,
      Karina.

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