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Obligations of schools

In accordance with § 107 of the ARFN, a higher education establishment  or a higher vocational school is obliged to inform the Ministry of Interior in writing about a holder of a long-term visa for the purpose of studies not starting, cancelling or finishing his/her studies.

Schools and other institutions should send this information by data box or in writing to the following address:

Ministerstvo vnitra

odbor azylové a migrační politiky

Nad Štolou 3

poštovní schránka 21

170 34 Praha 7

ID for the Ministry of Interior data box is: 6bnaawp

If the school also provides the students with accommodation, the obligations of an accommodation provider, listed in the section for accommodation providers, also apply.

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Obligations of students

Upon arrival, students from non-EU countries are obliged to register after arrival with the Foreign Police, if it has not been done by the accommodation provider. Students from EU countries have the same obligations.

Within 3 working days of entering the Czech Republic, all foreign students arriving to receive a long-term residence permit are obliged to report to the MOI office in person for the purpose of carrying out activities associated with issuing a biometric residence card, where they may also report their arrival.

Students from both non-EU countries and EU countries are obliged to report changes concerning their stay in the Czech Republic, such as a change in address, a change in their travel document or family status.

We recommend that students who apply for a long-term residence permit inside the Czech Republic or its extension and plan to return to their home country during the course of the proceedings, inform the MOI of this fact when filing the application and, if necessary, provide a contact address whilst they are away or inform of a person with a power of attorney, who will represent them whilst they are away.

Students that have been issued a residence card are obliged to return the card before ending their stay in the CR.

Please note that other obligations or rules may apply to foreign students, as they apply to foreigners in general, but may not be listed here. Please follow our website at www.immigrationportal.cz for any other immigration issues that may arise during your stay.

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Types and purposes of applications

Applications filed at a Czech Embassy

• § 42d – an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies”. In accordance with § 42d of the ARFN, a foreign national is entitled to file this application at an embassy if he/she intends to stay temporarily in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months and if it concerns studies in accordance with § 64 of the ARFN, with the exception of education at a secondary school or a conservatory that is not realised within an exchange programme or remunerated professional training.
• § 30/1 “studies” - an application for a long-term visa. In accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN, a foreign national is entitled to file this application at an embassy if he/she intends to stay temporarily in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months and if it concerns studies in accordance with § 64 of the ARFN. Education at a secondary school or a conservatory need not be realised within an exchange programme and professional training can be remunerated.
• § 30/1 “other” - an application for a long-term visa. In accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN a foreign national is entitled to file this application at an embassy if he/she intends to stay temporarily in the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months and if it concerns educational activities that - according to § 64 of the ARFN - are not studies.

A foreign national located outside of the Czech Republic who intends to study in the Czech Republic or take part in other educational activities for a period shorter than 3 months applies at a relevant embassy for a short-term visa for the purpose of studies or for the purpose of “other“, that is if he/she has a visa requirement for stays of up to 3 months in accordance with Regulation (EC) No. 539/2001. Foreign nationals who do not need a visa to enter the Czech Republic/Schengen area, do not have to apply for a visa for the purposes of studies shorter than 3 months.

Applications filed inside the Czech Republic

• § 42d - An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in accordance with § 42d of the ARFN (following up on a long-term visa  granted for the same purpose and falling under § 42d), or an application for its extension, can be filed by a foreign national in the Czech Republic if he/she resides in the Czech Republic on the basis of a long-term visa granted in accordance with § 42d, and if he/she intends to reside in the Czech Republic for a period longer than the validity of the current visa and it concerns studies in accordance with § 64 of the ARFN, with the exception of education at a secondary school or a conservatory that is not realised within an exchange programme or remunerated professional training.
• § 42 - An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in accordance with § 42 of the ARFN (following up on a long-term visa granted in accordance with § 30, or an application for its extension, can be filed by a foreign national in the Czech Republic if he/she resides in the Czech Republic on the basis of a long-term visa granted in accordance with § 30, and if he/she intends to reside in the Czech Republic for a period longer than the validity of the current visa and he/she intends to reside in the Czech Republic for the same purpose.

Long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in accordance with § 42d of the ARFN

In the event of an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in accordance with § 42d of the ARFN, the definition in § 64/1 and/(2 must be met in connection with § 42d/1 of the ARFN, that being:

• higher professional education in the fields of education in a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,) - § 64/1/a of the ARFN,
• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school or a conservatory entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,) realised within an exchange programme in a domestic host organisation - § 64/1/a of the ARFN in connection with § 64/2 of the ARFN,

• studies in accredited study programmes at a higher educational establishment in accordance with the Higher Education Act (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.,) - § 64/1/a of the ARFN;  as per study programmes that are "compiled" with parts of accredited study programmes by most Czech public and private universities for their foreign partner schools, based on a declaration by the Ministry of Education, the MOI will consider these types of programmes to be "studies" according to §64/1/a of the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals. However, the MOI will require that the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school contain a statement that the student will be entered in the Register of Students ("matrika studentů").

·         participation in language and professional preparation for studies under an accredited study programme of a higher education establishment organised by a public higher education establishment - § 64/1/b of the ARFN; as per a foreign student participating in language and professional training for a future accredited study programme of a university that is organized by a public university (§64/1/b), the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school must specify at least one accredited study programme for which the preparatory course is intended.

• participation in a language and professional training course organised in the framework of a programme of the European Union or in accordance with an International Agreement - § 64/1/b of the ARFN,
• scholarships [§ 64/1/c of the ARFN] realised on the basis of:
  • valid international agreements implemented by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports,
  • a valid Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports scholarship programme,
  • a European Union scholarship programme, or
  • a scholarship programme on the basis of a decision by the Government of the Czech Republic
• professional training (this cannot concern remunerated professional training) aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organized and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic – § 64/1/d in connection with § 64/2 of the ARFN;
• professional training (cannot concern remunerated professional training) and voluntary service of youth between 18 and 25 years of age aimed at a foreign national acquiring professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organisation, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organised or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic – § 64/1/e of the ARFN in connection with § 64/2 of the ARFN,
• exchange of experience and student exchange for the individuals responsible for educating and developing human resources, provided that these activities are performed within programmes or initiatives of the European Union or within international agreements - § 64/1/f of the ARFN.

Long-term visa for the purpose of “studies” in accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN

In the case of an application for a long-term visa in accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN, the same conditions must be met as in the case of a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in accordance with § 42d of the ARFN. Apart from the above it may also concern cases that meet further conditions defined in § 6411 of the ARFN, those being:

• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school, conservatory or a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,) - § 64/1/a of the ARFN; if it concerns education at a secondary school or a conservatory,  it does not have to solely concern education within an exchange programme,
• professional training (including remunerated professional training) aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organisation during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organised and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic – § 64/1/d of the ARFN;
• professional training (including remunerated professional training) and voluntary service of youth between 18 and 25 years of age aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organisation, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organised or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic – § 64/1/e of the ARFN.  

Long-term visa for the purpose of “other”, in accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN

In the case of an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other”, in accordance with § 30/1 of the ARFN it concerns other educational activities, which,  are not studies in accordance with the ARFN, e.g.:

• the foreign national’s education in an unaccredited study programme at a public or private higher education establishment, e.g. a number of higher education establishments realise education programmes that are “compiled” from parts of differently accredited programmes, this primarily concerns short-term, about half year to year-long education programmes for students from higher education establishments abroad that cannot be subordinated under § 64/1/a or /c of the ARFN – it concerns exchange stays that are mostly organised by Czech public and private higher education establishments for the partner institutions abroad.
  • If the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school contains a statement that the student will be entered in the Register of Students ("matrika studentů"), the purpose is NOT „other“ but „studies“.
  • In the event that such a study is realised on the basis of multilateral international agreements (CEEPUS, MVF), bilateral international agreements (agreements on cultural cooperation, hence, the implementing protocols to these agreements), departmental agreements, government resolutions for developing countries and compatriots or EU programmes, the purpose “studies” is met and it is not the purpose “other”;
• Education in a school that is accredited or has an accredited study programme in the state other than the CR – e.g. education at higher education establishments that are accredited (realise accredited study programmes) especially in another EU Member State and have a branch in the Czech Republic.
• attending language and training courses and programmes that do not serve as preparation for studying in a higher education establishment’s accredited study programme ­– it primarily concerns studies but also attending language and professional preparation for studying in a higher education establishment’s accredited study programme organised by a private higher education establishment [1];
• Attending studies of cognitive and other educational courses and programmes that are carried out by institutions that don’t fall under Act No. 561/2004 Coll., (in the case of primary, secondary and higher vocational schools) or Act no. 111/1998 Coll., (in the case of higher education establishments).

A list of private, public and state higher education establishments can be found on the MEYS web pages and a list of accredited study programmes for individual schools is published by the MEYS.
________________________________________
[1] If any private higher education establishment organised a preparatory course in the Czech language, albeit it served as preparation for studies, according to the ARFN, such preparation cannot be considered to be studies.

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Where and how to file an application

Where to file an application:

Applications for visas and residence permits for the purpose of studies may be filed at a Czech Embassy in the state of which the applicant is a citizen, or, if needs be, in the state that issued the travel document that the foreign national holds, or in the state in which the foreign national has a long-term or permanent residence permit (§ 53/1 and § 169/13 of the ARFN).

Exceptions to the obligation to file for a long-term visa or long-term residence permit at the relevant local embassy are laid down by Decree No. 429/2010 Coll. A list of these counties can be found at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs web pages.

An application for a long-term residence permit following up on a long-term visa for the same purpose, or an application to extend the current long-term residence permit is filed at the MOI offices according to the applicant’s place of residence. 

How to file an application

According to § 178 of the ARFN a foreign national older than 15 years of age who is able to express his/her own will and is capable of acting independently is considered as legally competent.

The registration for filing an application for a long-term visa or an application for a long-term residence permit at the embassy is done by means of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs internet system VISAPOINT ^[1], if this system is available in the country concerned.

The embassy charges CZK^[2] 500 for accepting an application for a residence permit for the purpose of studies. The foreign national then pays CZK 2,500 for the residence card in the Czech Republic. Acceptance of an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of studies is exempt from a consular fee. For accepting an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other” the embassy charges CZK^[3] 2,500.

A foreign national is obliged to file an application for a long-term visa or long-term residence in person. In justified cases the embassy can waive this obligation (§ 169/14 and § 170/1 of the ARFN).

[1] The VISAPOINT system is currently operational at the embassies in Tirana, Minsk, Sarajevo, Tbilisi, Astana, Skopje, Kishinev, Ulaanbaatar, Beijing, Belgrade, Ankara, Tashkent, Hanoi and at the General Consulates in Shanghai and Istanbul

[2] Act No. 634/2004 Coll., on Administrative Fees –administrative fees – item 162/a

[3] Act No. 634/2004 Coll., on Administrative Fees –administrative fees  – item 144A

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Requirements for an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “studies”

A completed application form

2 photographs,

A travel document

A travel document for the purposes of granting a long-term visa shall not be older than 10 years, it must contain at least 2 free pages and its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa.

A travel document is considered invalid if it contains false data or unauthorized changes have been made. False data also includes incorrect data on the foreign national’s name(s) and surname, if they have been changed, e.g. in connection to a marriage.

A document confirming the purpose of the stay in the Czech Republic – confirmation of enrolment into studies, professional training, voluntary services, etc.

For these purposes “studies” are understood to be:

• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school, conservatory or a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,)
• studies in accredited study programmes at a higher educational establishment in accord with the Higher Education Act (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.,),
• participation in a language and professional preparation for studies under an accredited study programme of a higher education establishment organized by a public higher education establishment, as per a foreign student participating in language and professional training for a future accredited study programme of a university that is organized by a public university (§64/1/b), the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school must specify at least one accredited study programme for which the preparatory course is intended.
• participation in a language and professional training course organised in the framework of a European Union programme or on the basis of an international agreement,
• scholarships realised on the basis of:
  • valid international agreements conducted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports,
  • a valid Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports scholarship programme,
  • a European Union scholarship programme, or on the basis of a decision by the Government of the Czech Republic,
• professional training aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organised and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic,
• professional training and voluntary service of youth between 18 and 25 years of age aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organisation, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organised or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic,
• exchange of experience and studies for individuals responsible for educating and developing human resources, provided that these activities are performed within programmes or initiatives of the European Union or within international agreements.

A draft form for this document can be downloaded on the MOI web pages.

Proof of accommodation

• A document on the ownership of a flat or house
  Mainly proven by an original or a notarised copy of the statement from the property register or a purchasing agreement indicating the clause on the entry of ownership rights into the property register.

• A document on the entitlement to use the flat or house
  Proven by an original or a notarised copy of the rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content.
  If a sub-letting contract entered into by the applicant and the flat’s tenant is used as proof of accommodation, it is also necessary to provide the landlord’s written consent if this is not part of the sub-letting contract.
  
  If the landlord is a legal entity, the contract must be signed by the person authorised to act on behalf of this entity.

• Written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorised user of the flat or house (landlord, cooperative member) with a notarised signature on consenting to the foreign national’s accommodation

- a notarised signature is not required if the authorised person signs the consent in front of an authorised MOI employee. Official verification is also not required if it is submitted electronically. In such a case it must be signed by the secure electronic signature of the authorised  person, or it must be supplied without an electronic signature, but by means of the person’s data box.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is mutually co-owned by more people, it is necessary for enough of the co-owners to agree with the accommodation of the foreign national so that their share in the property is a majority.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is the joint asset of a married couple, in order for the document on accommodation to be accepted, it is sufficient for one of the spouses to agree with the foreign national’s accommodation, assuming the other spouse does not revoke the validity of this act.

If the provider of accommodation is a leaseholder, it is necessary to support the legitimacy of providing accommodation, primarily by submitting a valid rental agreement between the leaseholder and the property owner and in the event that the content of the rental agreement is a condition of the property owner agreeing with the accommodation of other people in the flat, it is necessary to add the written consent of the property owner with the applicant’s accommodation. An exception is accommodation for a minor or dependent adult living with the tenant in a joint household with the tenant-parent.

A specimen form of this document can be downloaded at the MOI web pages.
Proof of accommodation can also be submitted electronically.

Funds to cover the stay in the Czech Republic (§ 13 of the ARFN)

It is necessary to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (currently it is set at 2200 CZK for 2012) for the first month and double the amount of the existential minimum for every month afterwards, thus, for instance, for a stay from 1 January – 30 June it would be (15x2200) + (5x2x2200) = 33 000 + 22 000 = 55 000 CZK. A foreign national that is under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Funds for the stay are proven by:

• an account statement from a bank or other financial institution (it must not necessarily concern a bank or financial institution authorized to operate its activity solely in the Czech Republic) for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. The submitted document must clearly indicate that the foreign national is entitled to use the requisite funds in the Czech Republic. If it is not clear from the document that the foreign national is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. in the case of a foreign bank account), it shall be necessary to prove this fact e.g. with a valid internationally recognized banking card relating to the account in question.
• a different document on financial security demonstrating that the foreign national can use the financial resources to the requisite amount or that he/she has secured funds to cover the costs associated with his/her stay in the Czech Republic, e.g. it can concern a document that the foreign national’s spouse or legal representative or the person to whom a foreign national under 18 has been entrusted (assuming the given person has a visa for a stay of over 90 days or a long-term residence permit or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen or a permanent residence permit) has the requisite amount of funds for the foreign nationals’ stay (an account statement and a declaration on securing the funds to cover the costs for the foreign national’s stay), or
• a valid internationally recognized banking card. Upon request by the administrative body, however, the foreign national is obliged  to submit a bank account statement for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic.

A foreign national who will study in the Czech Republic can submit the proof of funds as a pledge issued by a state body or legal entity that they will secure the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic by providing financial means amounting to the existential minimum for 1 month of the expected stay, or a document that all of the costs associated with his/her stay will be covered by the recipient organization (school). If the amount in the pledge does not cover the amount required by law, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document proving he/she has the financial resources amounting to the difference between the existential minimum and the pledge for the period of the expected stay, at most, however, 6 times the amount of the existential minimum. The document on securing funds for the stay can be replaced by a decision or contract on awarding a grant obtained on the basis of an international agreement by which the Czech Republic is bound.  

Upon request of the administrative body the applicant also submits

• A document similar to the Register of Criminal Records issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen and also by states in which the foreign national has had continuous residence for over 6 months in the last 3 years. The extract from the Penal Register record may be replaced by an affidavit, if the given state does not issue such a document. The obligation to submit an extract from the Penal Register record does not relate to a foreign national under 15 years.

• A medical report that he/she does not suffer from a serious illness is submitted upon request by the administrative body in the event there is reasonable suspicion that the applicant suffers from a serious illness.

Prior to affixing the long-term visa for the purpose of “studies”

• The foreign national submits a document on travel medical insurance for the period of stay in the Czech Republic, which corresponds to the conditions set out in § 180j of the ARFN.
• Proof of medical travel insurance is understood to be a document in which the relevant insurance company declares/confirms:
  • The period of insurance (insurance must cover the entire stay in the Czech Republic),
  • The extent of the insurance (the insurance policy must cover the costs that the foreign national is obliged to cover for the period of his/her stay in the Czech Republic in the event of providing necessary and urgent health care including the costs associated with transport or, in the case of his/her death, those associated with transferring his/her physical remains to the state that issued the travel document or to another state in which he/she has a residence permit),
  • The amount of the insurance benefit (the agreed insurance benefit limit for one insurance event must be at least EUR 60 000, that being without an insurance retention on the amount of the given costs).

• The insurance policy must not exclude coverage for injuries and damage caused by the applicant´s intentional acts, injuries and damage caused by fault or contributory fault on the part of the applicant, and injuries and damage caused by the consumption of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances by the applicant.
• If it concerns insurance obtained abroad, along with the proof of travel medical insurance, the foreign national always submits an official translation of the insurance policy and its general terms and conditions into the Czech language. This proves the medical travel insurance policy has been taken out, above all its extent, the limit of coverage being EUR 60 000 and that insurance is taken out without retention and, upon request, a document on paying the insurance premium for an insurance policy for the entire period of the requested stay in the Czech Republic.
• Upon request by the MOI, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document on having paid the insurance premium.
• A document on medical travel insurance is not required from a foreign national who
  • contributes to public health insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, proof of medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
  • If the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
  • If the foreign national can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).

An application for a long-term visa is filed in person at a Czech Embassy.

An application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “studies” is processed within 60 days of it being filed.

A long-term visa is granted by the Ministry of Interior at the request of a foreign national who intends to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 3 months. The visa is granted with a maximum validity of 6 months   or a stay period corresponding to the documents provided.

A period of stay in the CR that is shorter than the validity of the long-term visa can be repeatedly extended under the condition that the purpose for granting the visa is still the same, at most, however, until the visa expires.

If the foreign national residing on a long-term visa in the Czech Republic intends to temporarily reside for a period longer than 6 months and the purpose of the stay is still the same, he/she is eligible to apply for a long-term residence permit (not, however, in accordance with § 42d but in accordance with § 42/1.

Application requirements for a long-term visa for the purpose of studies (pdf, 58 kB)

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Requirements for an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other” filed at a Czech Embassy

A completed application form

2 photographs,

A travel document

A travel document for the purposes of granting a long-term visa shall not be older than 10 years, it must contain at least 2 free pages and its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa.

A travel document is considered invalid if it contains false data or unauthorised changes have been made. False data also includes incorrect data on the foreign national’s name(s) and surname, if they have been changed, e.g. in connection to a marriage.

A document confirming the purpose of the stay in the Czech Republic – confirmation of enrolment into education.

A draft form for this document can be downloaded on the MOI web pages.

Proof of accommodation

• A document on the ownership of a flat or house
  Mainly proven by an original or a notarised copy of the statement from the property register or a purchasing agreement indicating the clause on the entry of ownership rights into the property register.
• A document on the entitlement to use the flat or house
  Proven by an original or a notarised copy of the rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content.
  If a sub-letting contract entered into by the applicant and the flat’s tenant is used as proof of accommodation, it is also necessary to provide the landlord’s written consent if this is not part of the sub-letting contract.
  
  If the landlord is a legal entity, the contract must be signed by the person authorised to act on behalf of this entity.

• Written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorised user of the flat or house (landlord, cooperative member) with a notarised signature on consenting to the foreign national’s accommodation

- a notarised signature is not required if the authorised person signs the consent in front of an authorised MOI employee. Official verification is also not required if it is submitted electronically. In such a case it must be signed by the secure electronic signature of the authorised  person, or it must be supplied without an electronic signature, but by means of the person’s data box.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is mutually co-owned by more people, it is necessary for enough of the co-owners to agree with the accommodation of the foreign national so that their share in the property is a majority.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is the joint asset of a married couple, in order for the document on accommodation to be accepted, it is sufficient for one of the spouses to agree with the foreign national’s accommodation, assuming the other spouse does not revoke the validity of this act.

If the provider of accommodation is a leaseholder, it is necessary to support the legitimacy of providing accommodation, primarily by submitting a valid rental agreement between the leaseholder and the property owner and in the event that the content of the rental agreement is a condition of the property owner agreeing with the accommodation of other people in the flat, it is necessary to add the written consent of the property owner with the applicant’s accommodation. An exception is accommodation for a minor or dependent adult living with the tenant in a joint household with the tenant-parent.

A specimen form of this document can be downloaded at the MOI web pages.
Proof of accommodation can also be submitted electronically.

Funds to cover the stay in the Czech Republic (§ 13 of the ARFN)

It is necessary to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (currently it is set at 2200 CZK for 2012) for the first month and double the amount of the existential minimum for every month afterwards, thus, for instance, for a stay from 1 January – 30 June it would be (15x2200) + (5x2x2200) = 33 000 + 22 000 = 55 000 CZK. A foreign national that is under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Funds for the stay are proven by:

• an account statement from a bank or other financial institution (it must not necessarily concern a bank or financial institution authorised to operate its activity solely in the Czech Republic) for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. The submitted document must clearly indicate that the foreign national is entitled to use the requisite funds in the Czech Republic. If it is not clear from the document that the foreign national is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. in the case of a foreign bank account), it shall be necessary to prove this fact e.g. with a valid internationally recognised banking card relating to the account in question.
• a different document on financial security demonstrating that the foreign national can use the financial resources to the requisite amount or that he/she has secured funds to cover the costs associated with his/her stay in the Czech Republic, e.g. it can concern a document that the foreign national’s spouse or legal representative or the person to whom a foreign national under 18 has been entrusted (assuming the given person has a visa for a stay of over 90 days or a long-term residence permit or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen or a permanent residence permit) has the requisite amount of funds for the foreign nationals’ stay (an account statement and a declaration on securing the funds to cover the costs for the foreign national’s stay), or
• a valid internationally recognised banking card. Upon request by the administrative body, however, the foreign national is obliged  to submit a bank account statement for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic.

Upon request of the administrative body the applicant also submits

• A document similar to the Register of Criminal Records issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen and also by states in which the foreign national has had continuous residence for over 6 months in the last 3 years. The extract from the Penal Register record may be replaced by an affidavit, if the given state does not issue such a document. The obligation to submit an extract from the Penal Register record does not relate to a foreign national under 15 years.

• A medical report, that he/she does not suffer from a serious illness is submitted upon request by the administrative body in the event there is reasonable suspicion that the applicant suffers from a serious illness.

Prior to affixing the long-term visa for the purpose of “other”

• The foreign national submits a document on travel medical insurance for the period of stay in the Czech Republic, which corresponds to the conditions set out in § 180j of the ARFN.
• Proof of medical travel insurance is understood to be a document in which the relevant insurance company declares/confirms:
  • The period of insurance (insurance must cover the entire stay in the Czech Republic),
  • The extent of the insurance (the insurance policy must cover the costs that the foreign national is obliged to cover for the period of his/her stay in the Czech Republic in the event of providing necessary and urgent health care including the costs associated with transport or, in the case of his/her death, those associated with transferring his/her physical remains to the state that issued the travel document or to another state in which he/she has a residence permit),
  • The amount of the insurance benefit (the agreed insurance benefit limit for one insurance event must be at least EUR 60 000, that being without an insurance retention on the amount of the given costs).

• The insurance policy must not exclude coverage for injuries and damage caused by the applicant´s intentional acts, injuries and damage caused by fault or contributory fault on the part of the applicant, and injuries and damage caused by the consumption of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances by the applicant.
• If it concerns insurance obtained abroad, along with the proof of travel medical insurance, the foreign national always submits an official translation of the insurance policy and its general terms and conditions into the Czech language. This proves the medical travel insurance policy has been taken out, above all its extent, the limit of coverage being EUR 60 000 and that insurance is taken out without retention and, upon request, a document on paying the insurance premium for an insurance policy for the entire period of the requested stay in the Czech Republic.
• Upon request by the MOI, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document on having paid the insurance premium.
• A document on medical travel insurance is not required from a foreign national who
  • contributes to public health insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, proof of medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
  • If the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
  • If the foreign national can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).

An application for a long-term visa is filed in person at a Czech Embassy.

An application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other” is processed within 90 days of it being filed, 120 days in complicated cases.

A long-term visa is granted by the Ministry of Interior at the request of a foreign national who intends to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 3 months. The visa is granted with a maximum validity of 6 months or a stay period corresponding to the documents provided.

A period of stay in the CR that is shorter than the validity of the long-term visa can be repeatedly extended under the condition that the purpose for granting the visa is still the same, at most, however, until the visa expires.

If the foreign national residing on a long-term visa in the Czech Republic intends to temporarily reside for a period longer than 6 months and the purpose of the stay is still the same, he/she is eligible to apply for a long-term residence permit.

Application requirements for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other” (pdf, 58 kB)

 Česky

Requirements for an application for a long-term stay for the purpose of “studies” (§ 42d) filed at a Czech Embassy

A completed application form

2 photographs,

A travel document

A travel document for the purposes of granting a long-term visa shall not be older than 10 years, it must contain at least 2 free pages and its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa.

• higher vocational education in fields of education at a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,)
• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school, conservatory or a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,) carried out within an exchange programme,
• studies in accredited study programmes at a higher educational establishment in accord with the Higher Education Act (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.,),
• participation in a language and professional preparation for studies under an accredited study programme of a higher education establishment organised by apublic higher education establishment, as per a foreign student participating in language and professional training for a future accredited study programme of a university that is organized by a public university (§64/1/b), the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school must specify at least one accredited study programme for which the preparatory course is intended.
• participation in a language and professional training course organized in the framework of a European Union programme or on the basis of an international agreement,
• scholarships realized on the basis of:
  • valid international agreements conducted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports,
  • a valid Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports scholarship programme,
  • a European Union scholarship programme, or on the basis of a decision by the Government of the Czech Republic,
• unpaid professional training aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organised and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic,
• unpaid professional training and voluntary service of youth between 18 and 25 years of age aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organisation, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organised or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organisational unit in the Czech Republic,
• exchange of experience and studies for individuals responsible for educating and developing human resources, provided that these activities are performed within programmes or initiatives of the European Union or within international agreements.

• A document on the ownership of a flat or house
  Mainly proven by an original or a notarised copy of the statement from the property register or a purchasing agreement indicating the clause on the entry of ownership rights into the property register.
• A document on the entitlement to use the flat or house
  Proven by an original or a notarised copy of the rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content.
  If a sub-letting contract entered into by the applicant and the flat’s tenant is used as proof of accommodation, it is also necessary to provide the landlord’s written consent if this is not part of the sub-letting contract.
  
  If the landlord is a legal entity, the contract must be signed by the person authorised to act on behalf of this entity.

• Written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorised user of the flat or house (landlord, cooperative member) with a notarised signature on consenting to the foreign national’s accommodation

• an account statement from a bank or other financial institution (it must not necessarily concern a bank or financial institution authorized to operate its activity solely in the Czech Republic) for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. The submitted document must clearly indicate that the foreign national is entitled to use the requisite funds in the Czech Republic. If it is not clear from the document that the foreign national is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. in the case of a foreign bank account), it shall be necessary to prove this fact e.g. with a valid internationally recognized banking card relating to the account in question.
• a different document on financial security demonstrating that the foreign national can use the financial resources to the requisite amount or that he/she has secured funds to cover the costs associated with his/her stay in the Czech Republic, e.g. it can concern a document that the foreign national’s spouse or legal representative or the person to whom a foreign national under 18 has been entrusted (assuming the given person has a visa for a stay of over 90 days or a long-term residence permit or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen or a permanent residence permit) has the requisite amount of funds for the foreign nationals’ stay (an account statement and a declaration on securing the funds to cover the costs for the foreign national’s stay), or
• a valid internationally recognized banking card. Upon request by the administrative body, however, the foreign national is obliged to submit a bank account statement for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic.

• A document similar to the Register of Criminal Records issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen and also by states in which the foreign national has had continuous residence for over 6 months in the last 3 years. The extract from the Penal Register record may be replaced by an affidavit, if the given state does not issue such a document. The obligation to submit an extract from the Penal Register record does not relate to a foreign national under 15 years.

• A medical report that he/she does not suffer from a serious illness is submitted upon request by the administrative body in the event there is reasonable suspicion that the applicant suffers from a serious illness.

• The period of insurance (insurance must cover the entire stay in the Czech Republic),
• The extent of the insurance (the insurance policy must cover the costs that the foreign national is obliged to cover for the period of his/her stay in the Czech Republic in the event of providing necessary and urgent health care including the costs associated with transport or, in the case of his/her death, those associated with transferring his/her physical remains to the state that issued the travel document or to another state in which he/she has a residence permit),
• The amount of the insurance benefit (the agreed insurance benefit limit for one insurance event must be at least EUR 60 000, that being without an insurance retention on the amount of the given costs).

• contributes to public health insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, proof of medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
• If the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
• If the foreign national can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).

• At a Czech Embassy, or
• In the Czech Republic, only  in case of an application for a new long-term residence for a different purpose than was hitherto permitted, that being at the MOI office under whose competence the applicant will fall according to the proof of accommodation.

• period necessary to achieve the purpose requiring residence in the Czech Republic, shorter than 1 year,
• corresponding to the period set out in a contract on voluntary services for youth in a domestic host organization, if it concerns issuing a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in the Czech Republic in accordance with § 42d,
• 1 year if it concerns temporary residence for the purpose of studies with an expected stay period longer than 1 year.

 Česky

Requirements for an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” (§ 42d) filed in the Czech Republic

A completed application form

2 photographs,

A travel document

A travel document for the purposes of granting a long-term visa shall not be older than 10 years, it must contain at least 2 free pages and its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa.

A travel document is considered invalid if it contains false data or unauthorized changes have been made. False data also includes incorrect data on the foreign national’s name(s) and surname, if they have been changed, e.g. in connection to a marriage.

A document confirming the purpose of stay in the Czech Republic – confirmation of enrolment into studies, professional training, voluntary services, etc.

For these purposes “studies” are understood to be:

·       higher vocational education in fields of education in a higher vocational school entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,)

• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school or a conservatory entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,), carried out within an exchange programme,
• studies in accredited study programmes at a higher educational establishment in accord with the Higher Education Act (Act No. 111/1998 Coll.,),
• participation in the language and professional preparation for studies under an accredited study programme of a higher education establishment organized by a public higher education establishment; as per a foreign student participating in language and professional training for a future accredited study programme of a university that is organized by a public university (§64/1/b), the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school must specify at least one accredited study programme for which the preparatory course is intended.
• participation in a language and professional training course organized in the framework of a European Union programme or on the basis of an international agreement,
• scholarships realized on the basis of:
  • valid international agreements conducted by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports,
  • a valid Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports scholarship programme,
  • a European Union scholarship programme, or on the basis of a decision by the Government of the Czech Republic,
• unpaid professional training aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organized and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organizational unit in the Czech Republic,
• unpaid professional training and voluntary service of youth between 18 and 25 years of age aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organization, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organized or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organizational unit in the Czech Republic,
• exchange of experience and studies for the people responsible for educating and developing human resources, provided that these activities are performed within programmes or initiatives of the European Union or within international agreements.

A draft form for this document can be downloaded at the MOI web pages.

Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic

• A document on the ownership of a flat or house
  Mainly proven by an original or a notarised copy of the statement from the property register or a purchasing agreement indicating the clause on the entry of ownership rights into the property register.
• A document on the entitlement to use the flat or house
  Proven by an original or a notarised copy of the rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content.
  If a sub-letting contract entered into by the applicant and the flat’s tenant is used as proof of accommodation, it is also necessary to provide the landlord’s written consent if this is not part of the sub-letting contract.
  
  If the landlord is a legal entity, the contract must be signed by the person authorised to act on behalf of this entity.

• Written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorised user of the flat or house (landlord, cooperative member) with a notarised signature on consenting to the foreign national’s accommodation

- a notarised signature is not required if the authorised person signs the consent in front of an authorised MOI employee. Official verification is also not required if it is submitted electronically. In such a case it must be signed by the secure electronic signature of the authorised  person, or it must be supplied without an electronic signature, but by means of the person’s data box.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is mutually co-owned by more people, it is necessary for enough of the co-owners to agree with the accommodation of the foreign national so that their share in the property is a majority.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is the joint asset of a married couple, in order for the document on accommodation to be accepted, it is sufficient for one of the spouses to agree with the foreign national’s accommodation, assuming the other spouse does not revoke the validity of this act.

If the provider of accommodation is a leaseholder, it is necessary to support the legitimacy of providing accommodation, primarily by submitting a valid rental agreement between the leaseholder and the property owner and in the event that the content of the rental agreement is a condition of the property owner agreeing with the accommodation of other people in the flat, it is necessary to add the written consent of the property owner with the applicant’s accommodation. An exception is accommodation for a minor or dependent adult living with the tenant in a joint household with the tenant-parent.

A specimen form of this document can be downloaded at the MOI web pages.
Proof of accommodation can also be submitted electronically.

Parental consent
This is required if the applicant is a minor; there is no official form to the consent and the signature need not be notarized.

Funds to cover the stay in the Czech Republic (§ 13 of the ARFN)

It is necessary to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (currently it is set at 2200 CZK for 2012) for the first month and double the amount of the existential minimum for every month afterwards, thus, for instance, for a stay from 1 January – 30 June it would be (15x2200) + (5x2x2200) = 33 000 + 22 000 = 55 000 CZK. A foreign national that is under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Funds for the stay are proven by:

• an account statement from a bank or other financial institution (it must not necessarily concern a bank or financial institution authorized to operate its activity solely in the Czech Republic) for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. The submitted document must clearly indicate that the foreign national is entitled to use the requisite funds in the Czech Republic. If it is not clear from the document that the foreign national is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. in the case of a foreign bank account), it shall be necessary to prove this fact e.g. with a valid internationally recognized banking card relating to the account in question.
• a different document on financial security demonstrating that the foreign national can use the financial resources to the requisite amount or that he/she has secured funds to cover the costs associated with his/her stay in the Czech Republic, e.g. it can concern a document that the foreign national’s spouse or legal representative or the person to whom a foreign national under 18 has been entrusted (assuming the given person has a visa for a stay of over 90 days or a long-term residence permit or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen or a permanent residence permit) has the requisite amount of funds for the foreign nationals’ stay (an account statement and a declaration on securing the funds to cover the costs for the foreign national’s stay), or
• a valid internationally recognized banking card. Upon request by the administrative body, however, the foreign national is obliged  to submit a bank account statement for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic.

A foreign national who will study in the Czech Republic can submit the proof of funds as a pledge issued by a state body or legal entity that they will secure the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic by providing financial means amounting to the existential minimum for 1 month of the expected stay, or a document that all of the costs associated with his/her stay will be covered by the recipient organization (school). If the amount in the pledge does not cover the amount required by law, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document proving he/she has the financial resources amounting to the difference between the existential minimum and the pledge for the period of the expected stay, at most, however, 6 times the amount of the existential minimum. The document on securing funds for the stay can be replaced by a decision or contract on awarding a grant obtained on the basis of an international agreement by which the Czech Republic is bound.

Upon request of the administrative body the applicant also submits

• A document similar to the Register of Criminal Records issued by the state of which the foreign national is a citizen and also by states in which the foreign national has had continuous residence for over 6 months in the last 3 years. The extract from the Penal Register record may be replaced by an affidavit, if the given state does not issue such a document. The obligation to submit an extract from the Penal Register record does not relate to a foreign national under 15 years.

• A medical report that he/she does not suffer from a serious illness is submitted upon request by the administrative body in the event there is reasonable suspicion that the applicant suffers from a serious illness.
  
• A document on travel medical insurance and, upon request, a document on having paid the insurance premium.

In the case of an application for a long-term residence permit, if it is filed inside the Czech Republic, it must ensue from the proof of travel medical insurance that it has been arranged to the extent of comprehensive health care with an insurance company that is authorized to provide its services in the Czech Republic. Comprehensive health care is understood to be health care provided for the policy holder in health facilities agreed upon by the insurer without direct cover of the costs for treatment by the policy holder with the aim of maintaining his/her health status from the period before signing the insurance policy, whilst preventive or dispensary health care nor health care associated with the pregnancy of an insured mother and the birth of her child cannot be excluded.

• Proof of travel medical insurance is not required from a foreign national who
  • contributes to public health insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, the document on medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
  • has the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
  • can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).  

An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in accordance with § 42d following up on a long-term visa granted for the same purpose is filed in person in a deadline of 90 days at the earliest and 14 days at latest before the long-term visa expires. The application is filed at the Ministry of Interior offices under whose competence the applicant will fall according to the proof of accommodation.

An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” is processed within 60 days of it being filed.

The period of validity of a long-term residence permit granted by the Ministry of Interior will be:

• period necessary to achieve the purpose requiring residence in the Czech Republic, shorter than 1 year,
• corresponding to the period set out in a contract on voluntary services for youth in a domestic host organization, if it concerns issuing a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in the Czech Republic in accordance with § 42d,
• 1 year if it concerns temporary residence for the purpose of studies with an expected stay period longer than 1 year.

The validity of the long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in the Czech Republic (§ 42d) can be repeatedly extended, but no longer than by 2 years, if it was issued for the purpose of “studies” at a higher vocational school or a higher education establishment . If this permit was issued for the purpose of unremunerated professional training, it can only be extended once for a period corresponding to the period set out in the agreement on professional training in the domestic host organization. In other cases, the validity of this permit is not extended.

 Requirements for an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” (§ 42d) filed in the Czech Republic (following up on a long-term visa granted for the same purpose, falling under the regime of § 42d or else Directive No. 2004/114/EC) (pdf, 59 kB)

 Česky

Requirements for an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” (§ 42d) filed in the Czech Republic

A completed application form

2 photographs,

A travel document
A travel document for the purposes of granting a long-term visa shall not be older than 10 years, it must contain at least 2 free pages and its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa.

A travel document is considered invalid if it contains false data or unauthorized changes have been made. False data also includes incorrect data on the foreign national’s name(s) and surname, if they have been changed, e.g. in connection to a marriage.

A document confirming the purpose of the stay in the Czech Republic – confirmation of enrolment into studies, professional training etc.

For these purposes “studies” are understood to be:

• secondary education and higher vocational education in fields of education in a secondary school or a conservatory entered in the Register of Schools and School Facilities in accordance with the Education Act (Act No. 561/2004 Coll.,), which is not carried out within an exchange programme,
• paid professional training aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out during the foreign national’s studies at a domestic or foreign higher education establishment or, at most, five years after graduating from a higher education establishment where such training must be organized and coordinated by a domestic higher education establishment, the Academy of Sciences of the Czech Republic or by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organizational unit in the Czech Republic,
• paid professional training aimed at a foreign national acquiring practical and professional experience and carried out in a domestic host organization, as a part of a project under a programme or an initiative of the European Union or under a similar governmental programme and organized or coordinated by a legal entity accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports and having its registered seat in the Czech Republic or a legal entity with a registered seat abroad but having its organizational unit in the Czech Republic.

A draft form for this document can be downloaded on the MOI web pages.

Proof of accommodation in the Czech Republic

• A document on the ownership of a flat or house
  Mainly proven by an original or a notarized copy of the statement from the property register or a purchasing agreement indicating the clause on the entry of ownership rights into the property register.
• A document on the entitlement to use the flat or house
  Proven by an original or a notarized copy of the rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content.
  If a sub-letting contract entered into by the applicant and the flat’s tenant is used as proof of accommodation, it is also necessary to provide the landlord’s written consent if this is not part of the sub-letting contract.
  
  If the landlord is a legal entity, the contract must be signed by the person authorized to act on behalf of this entity.

• Written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorized user of the flat or house (landlord, cooperative member) with a notarized signature on consenting to the foreign national’s accommodation

- a notarized signature is not required if the authorized person signs the consent in front of an authorized MOI employee. Official verification is also not required if it is submitted electronically. In such a case it must be signed by the secure electronic signature of the authorised person, or it must be supplied without an electronic signature, but by means of the person’s data box.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is mutually co-owned by more people, it is necessary for enough of the co-owners to agree with the accommodation of the foreign national so that their share in the property is a majority.
If the consent to the applicant’s accommodation is submitted as the consent of the owner of a property that is the joint asset of a married couple, in order for the document on accommodation to be accepted, it is sufficient for one of the spouses to agree with the foreign national’s accommodation, assuming the other spouse does not revoke the validity of this act.

If the provider of accommodation is a leaseholder, it is necessary to support the legitimacy of providing accommodation, primarily by submitting a valid rental agreement between the leaseholder and the property owner and in the event that the content of the rental agreement is a condition of the property owner agreeing with the accommodation of other people in the flat, it is necessary to add the written consent of the property owner with the applicant’s accommodation. An exception is accommodation for a minor or dependent adult living with the tenant in a joint household with the tenant-parent.

A specimen form of this document can be downloaded at the MOI web pages.
Proof of accommodation can also be submitted electronically.

Funds to cover the stay in the Czech Republic (§ 13 of the ARFN)

It is necessary to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (currently it is set at 2200 CZK for 2012) for the first month and double the amount of the existential minimum for every month afterwards, thus, for instance, for a stay from 1 January – 30 June it would be (15x2200) + (5x2x2200) = 33 000 + 22 000 = 55 000 CZK. A foreign national that is under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Funds for the stay are proven by:

• an account statement from a bank or other financial institution (it must not necessarily concern a bank or financial institution authorised to operate its activity solely in the Czech Republic) for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic. The submitted document must clearly indicate that the foreign national is entitled to use the requisite funds in the Czech Republic. If it is not clear from the document that the foreign national is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. in the case of a foreign bank account), it shall be necessary to prove this fact e.g. with a valid internationally recognised banking card relating to the account in question.
• a different document on financial security demonstrating that the foreign national can use the financial resources to the requisite amount or that he/she has secured funds to cover the costs associated with his/her stay in the Czech Republic, e.g. it can concern a document that the foreign national’s spouse or legal representative or the person to whom a foreign national under 18 has been entrusted (assuming the given person has a visa for a stay of over 90 days or a long-term residence permit or a certificate of temporary residence for an EU citizen or a permanent residence permit) has the requisite amount of funds for the foreign nationals’ stay (an account statement and a declaration on securing the funds to cover the costs for the foreign national’s stay), or
• a valid internationally recognised banking card. Upon request by the administrative body, however, the foreign national is obliged  to submit a bank account statement for an account maintained in the foreign national’s name indicating that he/she is free to use the finances in the specified amount during his/her stay in the Czech Republic.

A foreign national who will study in the Czech Republic can submit the proof of funds as a pledge issued by a state body or legal entity that they will secure the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic by providing financial means amounting to the existential minimum for 1 month of the expected stay, or a document that all of the costs associated with his/her stay will be covered by the recipient organization (school). If the amount in the pledge does not cover the amount required by law, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document proving he/she has the financial resources amounting to the difference between the existential minimum and the pledge for the period of the expected stay, at most, however, 6 times the amount of the existential minimum. The document on securing funds for the stay can be replaced by a decision or contract on awarding a grant obtained on the basis of an international agreement by which the Czech Republic is bound.  

A document on travel medical insurance and, upon request, a document on having paid the insurance premium.

• in the case of an application for a long-term residence permit, if it is filed inside the Czech Republic, it must ensue from the proof of travel medical insurance that it has been arranged to the extent of comprehensive health care  with an insurance company that is authorised to provide its services in the Czech Republic. Comprehensive health care is understood to be health care provided for the policy holder in health facilities agreed upon by the insurer without direct cover of the costs for treatment by the policy holder with the aim of maintaining his/her health status from the period before signing the insurance policy, whilst preventive or dispensary health care nor health care associated with the pregnancy of an insured mother and the birth of her child cannot be excluded.

• Proof of travel medical insurance is not required from a foreign national who
  • contributes to public health insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, the document on medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
  • has the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
  • can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).  

An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in accordance with § 42d following up on a long-term visa granted for the same purpose is filed in person in a deadline of 90 days at the earliest and 14 days at latest before the long-term visa expires. The application is filed at the Ministry of Interior offices under whose competence the applicant will fall according to the proof of accommodation.

An application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” is processed within 60 days of it being filed.

The period of validity of a long-term residence permit granted by the Ministry of Interior will be:

• period necessary to achieve the purpose requiring residence in the Czech Republic, shorter than 1 year,
• 1 year if it concerns temporary residence for the purpose of studies with an expected stay period longer than 1 year.

The validity of the long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in the Czech Republic (§ 42d) can be repeatedly extended, for a maximum period equal to the first period for which it was issued.

Requirements for an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” (§ 42d) filed in the Czech Republic (following up on a long-term visa granted for the same purpose and not falling under the regime of § 42d, or else Directive No. 2004/114/EC) (pdf, 52 kB)

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Electronic confirmation of accommodation

In case of an electronic confirmation of accommodation, the confirmation must be signed (not solely in the email by which the confirmation was sent) by a secure electronic signature of the owner or the authorized user of the flat or house, which is based on an official certificate issued by an accredited provider of certification services, or without an electronic signature, but by means of a data box of the person who is the owner or authorized user of the flat or house. A confirmation delivered without a secure electronic signature by means of a data box must therefore always be delivered to the decision-making body using the data box of the person providing accommodation (the authorized person). The person providing accommodation (authorized person) can send a confirmation that has a secure electronic signature, but also the foreign national to whom it relates may do so. If the confirmation in electronic form with a secure electronic signature is provided to the foreign national on behalf of the person providing accommodation, the foreign national can also corroborate this confirmation when filing the application on a data carrier (e.g. flash disk). It is not necessary to have a notarized signature of the authorized person to meet the conditions given above for a confirmation of accommodation.
 

The only document the accommodation provider can send electronically is the confirmation of accommodation. Other documents confirming accommodation, such as rental agreements etc., must be provided in a paper form by the applicant.

If the foreign national’s application is filed at a regional branch of the MOI, the confirmation of accommodation can be submitted electronically to the MOI electronic mail room posta@mvcr.cz or by means of a data box to the MOI ID address 6bnaawp.
 

If the foreign national’s application is filed at an embassy, the confirmation of accommodation can be submitted electronically to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs electronic mail room epodatelna@mzv.cz or by means of a data box to the ID address e4xaaxh. The report must contain a precise specification of the embassy or consulate general where the application is to be filed. Without this the confirmation cannot be delivered.

The document must be sent to the embassy/consulate BEFORE filing the application (with sufficient time in advance).

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Processing an application and issuing a decision

The processing of an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “studies” and a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” has a time limit of 60 days from filing the application [§ 170/6 and § 169/1/d of the ARFN]. The legal deadline for processing an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of “other” is 90 days from filing the application. Only in particularly complicated cases is the time limit extended to 120 days from filing the application (§ 170/6 of the ARFN). Applications for extending existing long-term residence permits have a time limit of 30 days from filing the application.

According to § 24/1 of Act No. 561/2004 Coll., a school year starts on September 1 and ends August 31 in the following calendar year. Thus, when transferring from one school to another, there is no time period in which the foreign national would not be meeting the purpose of a stay for “studies”. When transferring from a secondary school to a higher education establishment, such a period may arise, since, in accordance with § 52/2 of Act No. 111/1998 Coll., the rector of the higher education establishment decides on the start of the academic year and the academic year usually starts later than September 1. However not even the period from completing studies at secondary school, i.e. 31 August, until the moment the foreign national starts studies at the higher education establishment can be considered a period in which it would be possible to act against the foreign national in accordance with § 37/1/b of the ARFN (infringing residence authorization due to not meeting the purpose of stay). In the given time period, the foreign national will have a decision on enrolment to a higher education establishment, which is a document confirming the purpose of stay of “studies”.

The period of validity of a long-term residence permit granted by the Ministry of Interior will:

• be a period necessary to achieve the purpose requiring residence in the Czech Republic, shorter than 1 year,
• correspond to the period set out in a contract on voluntary services for youth in a domestic host organization, if it concerns a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in the Czech Republic in accordance with § 42d,
• be 1 year if it concerns temporary residence for the purpose of studies with an expected stay period longer than 1 year.

The validity of the long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies” in the Czech Republic (§ 42d) can be repeatedly extended, but no longer than by 2 years, if it was issued for the purpose of “studies” at a higher vocational school or a higher education establishment. If this permit was issued for the purpose of unremunerated professional training, it can only be extended once for a period corresponding to the period set out in the agreement on professional training in the domestic host organization. In other cases, the validity of this permit is not extended.

A long-term visa is issued with a validity of 6 months and a permitted residence period corresponding to the documents presented. 

A stay period in the CR that is shorter than the validity of the long-term visa can be repeatedly extended under the condition that the purpose for granting the visa is still the same, at most, however, until the visa expires. If the foreign national residing on a long-term visa in the Czech Republic intends to temporarily reside for a period longer than 6 months and the purpose of stay is still the same, he/she is eligible to apply for a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic.

[1] Act on preschool, primary, secondary, higher vocational and other education (the School Act), as amended

[2] Act on higher education establishments and amendments and supplements to other acts (Act on Higher Education Establishments), as amended

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Leaving for the CR

Embassy procedure before affixing a long-term visa or a visa for the purpose of collecting a residence permit

Prior to affixing a long-term visa or a long-term visa for the purpose of receiving a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies (D/VR), the foreign national submits a document on travel medical insurance for the period of stay in the Czech Republic, which corresponds to the conditions set out in § 180j of the ARFN.

Proof of travel medical insurance is understood to be a document in which the relevant insurance company declares/confirms:

• The period of insurance (insurance must cover the entire stay in the Czech Republic),
• The extent of the insurance (the insurance policy must cover the costs that the foreign national is obliged to cover for the period of his/her stay in the Czech Republic in the event of providing necessary and urgent health care including the costs associated with transport or, in the case of his/her death, those associated with transferring his/her physical remains to the state that issued the travel document or to another state in which he/she has a residence permit),
• The amount of the insurance benefit (the agreed insurance benefit limit for one insurance event must be at least EUR 60 000, that being without an insurance retention on the amount of the given costs).
• The insurance policy must not exclude coverage for injuries and damage caused by the applicant´s intentional acts, injuries and damage caused by fault or contributory fault on the part of the applicant, and injuries and damage caused by the consumption of alcohol, narcotic and psychotropic substances by the applicant.

Such travel medical insurance can be arranged at an insurance company authorized to operate in the Czech Republic, at an insurance company authorized to operate this insurance in other Member States of the European Union/European economic area or in the state the foreign national’s travel document is from or in another state in which the foreign national has a residence permit.

If insurance was obtained abroad, along with the proof of travel medical insurance, the foreign national always submits an official translation of the insurance policy and its general terms and conditions into the Czech language. This proves the medical travel insurance policy has been taken out, above all its extent, the limit of coverage being EUR 60 000 and that insurance is taken out without retention and, upon request, a document on paying the insurance premium for an insurance policy for the entire period of the requested stay in the Czech Republic.

Upon request by the MOI, the foreign national is obliged to submit a document on having paid the insurance premium.

A document on medical travel insurance is not required from a foreign national who

• contributes to public health  insurance (e.g. if it concerns a stay for the purpose of employment, proof of medical travel insurance is only required for the period of entry until the beginning of employment).
• If the costs for health care covered on the basis of an international agreement, or
• If the foreign national can show that health care is covered in another manner, that being on the basis of a written undertaking by a legal entity, if the foreign national’s stay in the Czech Republic is beneficial for developing spiritual values, protecting human rights or other humanitarian values, protecting the environment, cultural monuments and traditions, developing the sciences, education, physical education and sport, on the basis of a written undertaking by a state body or on the basis of an undertaking contained in an invitation verified by the Foreign police in accordance with § 15 of the ARFN).

Affixing a long-term visa and receiving a long-term residence card

Based on an instruction of the MOI, the embassy indicates the purpose of stay in the long-term visa.
 

Numerical codes and indication of long-term visas:

23 – “studies” in accordance with Directive 2004/114/EC

24 – “studies“ other than Directive 2004/114/EC

90 – “other”

VC – visa for a stay of over 90 days (multiple)

VR – visa for the purpose of collecting a long-term residence permit

The embassy affixes a long-term visa granted for the purpose of “studies” or “other” into the foreign national’s passport as a multiple visa. During its validity, this visa enables its holder to stay in the Czech Republic, while he/she can also visit other EU Member States for three months during one six-month period. For more information on traveling to other Schengen/EU states, please visit our section dedicated to this topic.

Because an Embassy does not affix a long-term residence permit, which may only be issued as a plastic biometric card by the MOI, a foreigner with a general visa requirement to enter the Czech Republic will be given a D/VR visa - visa for the purpose of collecting a long-term residence permit. It is granted as a single-entry visa valid for 6 months with a permitted stay of 60 days in the Czech Republic. After affixing the D/VR the embassy provides the applicant with important information (the address of the pertinent MOI office including office hours, where he/she should report in person upon entering the Czech Republic, options for appointments by telephone, etc.).

Within 3 working days of entering the Czech Republic, all non-EU students arriving to receive a long-term residence permit are obliged to report to the MOI office in person for the purpose of carrying out activities associated with issuing a biometric residence card and to report their arrival.

Foreigners arriving without a permit or on a long-term visa for the purpose of “studies” or “other” will not receive a biometric card, therefore, their only responsibility after arrival is to report within 3 days from arrival to the Foreign Police, unless their accommodation provider does it for them, see here.

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Communicating with the MOI (complaints, queries and attendance lists)

Queries and complaints 

Queries and complaints about the processing of an application for a long-term visa or a residence permit and any complaints concerning these issues on behalf of the public can be sent to the Ministry of Interior email addresses opu@mvcr.cz or pobyty@mvcr.cz. Comments on the work of embassies can be sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs email address kkm@mzv.cz.

The Ministry of Interior may also be contacted by phone at the Information hotline at +420 974 832 421 or +420 974 832 418.

Infomation mailing list 

If you wish to receive updates concerning changes in immigration issues relating to education providers and students, and in case you are not already in touch with the MOI, please send us your email address to opu@mvcr.cz and we will add it to our information mailing list.

Lists  of enrolled students

In order to allow for the MOI to verify, whether a foreign national is enrolled into studies during a respective period, schools and other education institutions may provide the MOI with lists of enrolled students. These should contain thein names, surnames, nationality, date of birth, expected length of studies (from – to or semester or academic year), name or type of the educational programme, and further the identification of the education provider that issued this list signed by an authorized individual including a stamp and date of issuance. The lists may be sent by mail, fax or email to:

Ministerstvo vnitra
odbor azylové a migrační politiky
Nad Štolou 3, poštovní schránka 21, 170 34 Praha 7;
fax – 974 720 388;
e-mail – pobyty.ostrava@mvcr.cz.

Specimens of signature of personnel authorized to issue proof of accommodation

In order to allow for the MOI to verify, whether a proof of accommodation was signed by the person authorized to do so, schools and education providers may provide the MOI with specimens of signatures of authorized personnel or other documents related thereto. These documents may be sent by mail or data box to: