Czech Visa

The Czech Republic is a new signatory of the 1995 Schengen Agreement, which is designed to facilitate the free and unhindered movement of non-EEA nationals throughout the participating states.

The Czech Republic implemented the terms of the Schengen Agreement on December 21 2007 and along with Estonia, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Poland, Slovakia, and Slovenia, joins the existing fifteen EU nation states who actively implement the treaty.

The Schengen visa allows successful applicants to travel through participating states; Schengen visa can be valid for anything from one day up to one year, and the duration of stay can be anything up to the 90-day maximum.

The Czech Republic also allows non-EEA nationals from a range of countries to travel without applying for a visa. In these circumstances, the permitted period may up to 30 days or 90 days depending upon the nationality of the traveller.

A Global Visas immigration consultant will be able to advise you on the exact requirements of applying for a Czech visa from your country of residence.

You can begin your application for a Czech Visa today by visiting our online assessment area. Just answer a few straightforward questions and a Global Visas consultant will respond to your enquiry.

Types of Visa for the Czech Republic

For countries who do not receive visa exemption from the Czech Republic, a short-term visa may be issued for tourism or business. As a Schengen Agreement signatory, most Czech visas will be issued as Schengen visas, however all Schengen countries retain the authority to issue a visa valid only for specific countries.

Short Stay Schengen Visa

A short stay Schengen visa is issued in the Czech Republic, as in other Schengen states for a maximum period of 90 days. This period is the maximum duration that may be granted, however, it does not necessarily reflect the true period of leave that will be granted.

Czech visas will be issued according to the purpose of the individual trip and the 90-day limit should only be viewed as a maximum. Short stay Schengen visas are issued for the purposes of tourism, visiting relatives or friends in the Czech Republic and for some business activities, although employment is not permitted.

Whilst short stay visa applications are not valid for working in the Czech Republic applicants may nonetheless engage in a variety of business related activities. Business visa holders may attend conferences and meetings and may undertake business focussed visits to research potential clients or suppliers.

Eligibility

Applying for a Schengen visa to visit the Czech Republic requires a valid passport with at least six months duration beyond that of the visa and a range of other supporting documentation.

In cases where an applicant lives outside his or her country of origin, valid proof of residence must also be submitted. In all cases, applicants must be able to demonstrate the purpose of their trip to the Czech Republic and a personal interview at the Czech embassy may also be necessary.

For short stay Schengen visas issued for a holiday or to visit family and friends, this evidence can normally be provided through a letter from the host in the Czech Republic or by a valid hotel booking.

Where visas for business are issued, candidates will need to provide letters from the associate organisations in both their country of residence and the Czech Republic.

The letter must give details of the duration and purpose of the trip and must establish who will be responsible for the financial support of the applicant during their time in the country.

Spouse Immigration and Dependent Immigration

Schengen visas are issued as short-term immigration services which oblige candidates to return to their country of residence on or before the expiry of the permit. Schengen visas are not extendable and do not allow their holders to live and work in the Czech Republic.

No provision is made for the spouse and/or dependents of the applicant to travel with them and all such dependents wishing to do so must apply for a Czech visa in their own right.

However, a Schengen visa will be issued without charge to the spouse and/or dependent children of an EU national upon presentation of a valid EU passport, marriage certificate and birth certificate.

Processing Times

Processing times and fees may vary depending on the type of visa being sought and the nationality of the applicant. A Global Visas consultant will be able to discuss in detail the fees and processing times for your application.

As a specialist immigration consultancy, we help thousands of people per year to obtain visas for their chosen destinations. Out specialist team of immigration lawyers provide dedicated advice and guidance to make sure you embark upon the right visa service for your needs.

Visit our online Czech Republic visa assessment form today to begin your application or read more about a Schengen Visa.

Start your Visa Assessment