Road to Permanent Residency: Pass Your Czech Exam Early

#LifeInCzechia If you’ve been living in the Czech Republic for around 4 years, it is time to start considering getting your permanent residence permit. This type of card is available to you after 5 years of continuous stay in Czechia and will bring you many advantages. And the good news is, you can start on the preparations early. For instance, you can pass your Czech exam early to avoid stress when the time to apply comes.

Poraďte vašim kandidátům na trvalý pobyt, aby na zkoušku zašli spíše dříve.

Are you ready to take your Czech exam?

 

Permanent residency: why and when

A permanent residence permit is the best type of residence permit in the Czech Republic, just one step below citizenship. It grants you a lot of security. 

One of its main advantages is that it includes open access to the job market. If you currently have an employee card, switching to permanent residency will mean that your residency will no longer be tied to your job. It’ll also be possible for you to apply for a loan or a mortgage or start your own business.

Most importantly, you’ll become a part of the social system, so you’ll be able to reap its benefits, including being a part of public health care.

And, as we already mentioned, you’ll be one last step closer to citizenship.

You can apply for permanent residency once you’ve been in the Czech Republic for 5 years continually. If you’ve spent any of those years here as a student, those years need to be cut in half.

 

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Take the Czech exam early

One of the hoops you’ll need to jump through to be able to apply for permanent residency is a Czech language exam (currently A2 level). You’ll need to present a certificate confirming you’ve passed it.

This is why it’s a good idea to pass this exam early, so you don’t have to stress about it on top of other immigration bureaucracy. Perhaps after you’ve already been here for 4 years and you’re planning on getting your permanent residency when you hit 5. 

But you can’t take the Czech language exam just anywhere. There are certified schools in Czechia where they’re allowed to give these exams. You can find the list here. 

To be able to sign up for the exam, you’ll need a valid passport (or another travel document). You can also bring a Voucher for a free Examination in the Czech Language for the purposes of a permanent residence permit issued by the Ministry of the Interior. You can only get one free attempt from the ministry, so don’t waste it!

According to Cestina-pro-cizince.cz, there are two parts to the exam. The written part consists of reading (25 minutes), listening (35 minutes) and writing (15 minutes). The oral part takes 10 minutes in total. During this part, you will answer questions and speak about pictures. 

Want our help applying for your Czech exam? Contact us and we’ll guide you through the process. We’ll also help you with everything concerning your permanent residency application.

Image source: Andy Barbour, Pexels.com
Article source: mvčr, cestina-pro-cizince

Tereza Walsbergerová

Hello! I'm Tereza and I'm a wordsmith and literature nerd from Brno. Although I was born and raised in the Czech Republic, I know all too well from my time living in Texas what it's like to be a "stranger in a strange land." I am excited to share all kinds of information with y'all!

5 thoughts on “Road to Permanent Residency: Pass Your Czech Exam Early

  1. I got my permanent residency before the language exam. Like many others I work, pay health and social insurance and taxes. Just recently when I came to renew my permit the absolute abuse i received at the foreign office in Prague 4 was shocking. A young man screamed at me to speak Czech or he wouldn’t help me. Just screamed over and over speak Czech speak Czech. I did my best with the skills I have. But my point is this. A Czech foreign office which is aimed at the foreign community doesn’t / refuses to speak another language, it seems questionable whether they are really open to foreigners. I have made an appointment and called in advance due to the language and was assured I would be helped. Sadly I overheard another person being shouted at, and other ex=pats I know have numerous stories of how this process has traumatized them. The power of this office in granting residency documents not lost on me, and sadly shows the CR in a bad light.
    If you are going to the these offices I wish you well, but please be prepared and try to take a Czech native or person who speaks Czech with you. Don’t really on the office providing you language or a translator as was in my case. Be hopeful for kindness but also expect extreme rudeness that borders on abuse.
    I think a good article could be looking into the behaviour of these foreign offices. Quite honestly many people are left confused and question the possible racist / xenophobic nature of the CR. I know I do.

    1. Hi Susan,
      I am so sorry you’ve been treated this way :(. It is true that many Czech institutions live in the dark ages and refuse to acknowledge that the world has moved on in the meantime. Same goes for Czechs in general regarding racism, homophobia, and sexism.

      My hope and belief is that once the old generation retires, things will get better in the institutions. Honestly, I don’t even know why they employ people who can’t speak English. It’s an embarrassment.

      Like you say, the safest bet is to bring a Czech-speaking person with you to MOI. We have our assistance service for that, but I know not every foreigner can afford it.

      I’m so sorry again for what happened to you and I hope it will be better next time.

      Best,
      Tereza

  2. I just came to say thank you for the blog. I’ll be kicking off the process of obtaining necessary papers for the permit stating next week and, despite that I can read the MVČR site both in English and Czech, it is confusing at times, let alone their rude personnel.

    I’ve been Googling a lot about it lately and often came across this site, that I had no idea about before.

    1. Hi Paul,
      You’re so welcome, that’s exactly that’s why we do this.
      Please let us know if you have any additional questions :).

      Best,
      Tereza

  3. I have a quick question, how early can you give the language exam, for example if you have completed 3 years in CZ, are you allowed to appear for the A2 level exam, and how long is the validity of the certificate once you pass the exam at government certified schools ? Thank you in advance for your reply.

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