For a few months, Czech embassies weren’t accepting new applications and all processes came to a halt due to the worldwide pandemic of COVID-19. Some embassies have, however, already resumed accepting new applications for visas and residence permits now that the pandemic situation has improved.
Which embassies are open
Recently the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs has released a list of embassies that have resumed accepting new applications for visas and temporary residence permits and terminated the interruption of the procedure on applications for long-term residence permits.
What kinds of applications are accepted again
At those Czech embassies where the visa agenda has been resumed applications are accepted to this extent:
Schengen visas:
- Of EU or Czech citizens’ family members
- Of international transport workers
- Of critical infrastructure workers
- Of diplomats and officials of international organizations
- Of seasonal employees
- For employment in the health and social services and their family members
- For employment in food production
- For the purpose of employment of workers in the professions belonging to the “Highly Qualified Staff” program or the “Key and Scientific Staff” program
- In urgent emergency situations
- In the interest of the Czech Republic
Long-term visas and long-term residence permits:
- Long-term visas for the purpose of seasonal employment
- Special work visas
- Residence permits within the “Key and Scientific Staff” program, including applicants’ family members
- Residence permits within the “Highly Qualified Staff” program, including applicants’ family members
- Residence permits within the “Qualified Staff” program
- Long-term residence permits for the purpose of scientific research and applications for long-term residence permits of spouses and minor children of the researchers
- Long-term and permanent residence permits for the purpose of family reunification (only in those cases where the spouses and minor children are reunited with foreigners who have been already received a long-term or permanent residence in the Czech Republic; other family members are not yet covered by this renewal)
- Long-term visas for the family purposes (only in those cases where the spouses and minor children are reunited with foreigners who have been already received a long-term or permanent residence in the Czech Republic; other family members are not yet covered by this renewal)
- Long-term visas and residence permits for study purposes
- Long-term visas for other purposes (only in cases of educational activities)
- Long-term visas for culture, sport and (work) holidays
- Visas for the purpose of receiving a residence permit in the Czech Republic – the so-called bridging visa – regardless of the purpose of the stay
UPD: 11 Czech embassies resumed their normal operation
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Resuming of interrupted proceedings
Proceedings on all applications for long-stay visas and residence permits initiated before March 14 are renewed at all of the consulates with a partially restored visa agenda (i.e. the assessment of applications submitted before initiation of the state of emergency).
Countries that haven’t resumed accepting new applications
Not all Czech embassies have resumed accepting new applications. Submitting new applications and continuation of proceedings on applications for residence permits is still not possible at the following embassies:
- Afghanistan: Kabul
- Algeria: Algiers
- Argentina: Buenos Aires
- Armenia: Yerevan
- Azerbaijan: Baku
- Belarus: Minsk
- Belgium: Brussels
- Brazil: Brasilia, São Paulo
- Chile: Santiago de Chile
- Colombia: Bogota
- Cuba: Havana
- Egypt: Cairo
- Ethiopia: Addis Ababa
- Ghana: Accra
- India: Delhi
- Indonesia: Jakarta
- Iraq: Baghdad, Erbil
- Iran: Tehran
- Ireland: Dublin
- Jordan: Amman
- Kenya: Nairobi
- Kuwait: Kuwait
- Malaysia: Kuala Lumpur
- Mexico: Mexico
- Morocco: Rabat
- Northern Macedonia: Skopje
- Pakistan: Islamabad
- Peru: Lima
- Philippines – Manila
- Romania: Bucharest
- Russia: Ekaterinburg, Moscow, Saint Petersburg
- Saudi Arabia: Riyadh
- Senegal: Dakar
- South Africa: Pretoria
- Syria: Damascus
- Tunisia: Tunis
- United Kingdom: London
- Uzbekistan: Tashkent
- Zambia: Lusaka
Let us know and get your residence permit as soon as possible to be safe in the future in case the pandemic returns. Having a residence permit is the best way of making sure you’ll be able to return to the Czech Republic even if the borders are closed again.
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Source of the information: Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ webpage
Source of the photo: Pexels.com
Hello out there!
We are a travel-based company in Sri Lanka. We do visa documentation for Sri Lankans and recently some people approached us enquiring about family settlement options in the Czech Republic.
Could you let me know the options for foreigners to settle in Czech?
Best Regards
D. Benedict
Manager
Hello Rushni,
thank you very much for reaching out to us! I recommend you send an email with your question to info@foreigners.cz – my colleagues will contact you with more details as soon as possible 🙂
Kind regards,
Anna
What about delhi embassy news?? I am looking for Delhi embassy date opointment??
Hello Laxman,
as far as I know, the embassy in Delhi, unfortunately, remains closed.
Kind regards,
Anna
What about the travel ban between the U.S. and EU? I’m thinking about applying for a work visa but the travel ban just occurred..
Hi Moreena,
in order to be allowed to enter the EU, you need to fall into some of the exceptions as mandated by the EU. The whole list can be accessed here.
Kind regards,
Anna
How about in Qatar? Can a visa center (VFS Global) process an employment card or work permit visa?
Hello Merolyn,
thank you for reaching out to us! Unfortunately, there is no such information available yet.
Kind regards,
Anna
Hi,
How long will it take to get approval for Employee card, I read other blog that it will take 90 days.
I have applied on March 12th in Warsaw,after which embassies are closed.
and they asked me a document in June 26th , which I believe they started evaluating my document. Can I contact MOI for the status?
I am tracking status online and it says in progress
Hello Kumar,
you can certainly try to ask about the status at a MOI office, however, it’s is likely the processing is indeed in progress right now. If you need any help, with the process, you can schedule a consultation or contact my colleagues via mail at info@foreigners.cz.
Kind regards,
Anna
hi.
is is possible to apply for a czech student visa currently?
I have started lectures online as well.
Hi Kingsley,
it depends on what country you are from and whether the Czech Embassy in your country has restored the visa agenda (and to what extent). In most countries it should be possible though.
Kind regards,
Anna