Czech Visa

Traveling to Czech Republic

The centrally-located Czech Republic is quite popular with tourists. Its capital, Prague, is renowned for its well-priced nightlife and unique cultural offerings.

You may need a visa to travel to Czech, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed).

There are numerous types of visas for Czech, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Czech visas have different Czech visa requirements and validity periods. In general, Czech visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Czech is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country). Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Czech will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.

Czech visa types

Schengen Visas

Business (Czech Schengen Business visa)
Cultural
Medical
Official Visit
Other
Sports
Study (Czech Schengen Student visa)
Tourism (Czech Tourist visa)
Visiting Family or Friends

Transit Visa (Type A)

Czech transit visa

Short Term Visas (Type C)

Long Term Visas (Type D, National)

A long stay visa for Czech, which allows a maximum one year period of stay, is available for the following purposes:

Business (Czech Working visa)
Entrepreneurship
Cultural
Executive Manager
Employment
Family
Invitation

Medical
Official (political)
Other
Seasonal Employment
Training
Sports
Study (Czech Student visa)

Czech visa requirements

The following documents are typically required for all visas to Czech.

Passport

Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Czech)

Visa fee

Your Czech visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Adult Schengen visas fees are traditionally €80; most long-term Czech national visas cost $104.

Personal photos

Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions). You will likely upload these photos electronically; alternatively, you will be asked to submit physical copies

Additional documents:

You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Czech visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Czech visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:

Biographical documents

Identity documents, such as your birth certificate

Financial materials

Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance

Accommodation

Information about where you will stay in Czech Republic

Educational materials

Proof of university education, etc.

Proof of medical insurance

Please note that all documents will likely need to be written in Czech or English (or accompanied by official translations into either).

Czech visa application

Applicants for Czech visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.

Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Czech—i.e. what type of Czech visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Belgian visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (education, business, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single entry visa for Czech or the multiple entry visa for Czech will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Czech cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find the physical destination for your application (the Czech Embassy/ Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live).
Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
Applicants should access one of two online forms, depending on which visa they seek: the Schengen visa form or the long stay visa application form. You will officially submit your application through your local Czech embassy/consulate/visa application center, in order fulfill various in-person requirements.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Czech visa type.
Schedule your visa interview
Almost all Czech visa applicants must attend a visa appointment at their application destination (local Czech embassy/consulate/visa application center). Scheduling a Czech visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months. You should reach out to the embassy/consulate/visa application center directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit your biometric information, be interviewed, pay your Czech visa fee, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Czech visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.

Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term Czech business visa you may need to apply for Czech Work Permit—other long term visas may require you to apply for a residence permit for Czech. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek a Czech Work Permit or a residence permit for Czech, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.

Where to apply for Czech visa

Czech visa application processing occurs at Czech embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. Czech does not have an online visa application system. To apply, you should therefore submit a physical application to the Czech embassy/consulate and visa application center in your country of residence (where you will also fulfill the in-person Czech visa requirements). If there is no Czech mission in your country, you will likely apply for your Czech visa through the embassy/consulate of another country, which is representing Czech interests abroad.

When to apply for a Czech visa

Applicants for short-stay visas to Czech are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.