Czech Visa
Traveling to Czech Republic
The centrally-located Czech Republic is quite popular with tourists. Its capital, Prague, is renowned for its well-priced nightlife and unique cultural offerings.
You may need a visa to travel to Czech, depending on where you are from (nationality), the length of your trip (duration of stay), and your reason for travel (type of visa needed).
There are numerous types of visas for Czech, which are valid for travel for specific purposes and times. Different Czech visas have different Czech visa requirements and validity periods. In general, Czech visas can be divided into two main categories: short stay visas and long stay visas (a long stay visa for Czech is required for those looking to spend more than 90 days in the country). Another main distinction relates to allowed entries: a single entry will allow you just one entry into the country; a multiple entry visa for Czech will let you enter and exit as many times as needed.
Czech visa types
Transit Visa (Type A)
- Czech transit visa
Short Term Visas (Type C)
Schengen Visas
- Business (Czech Schengen Business visa)
- Cultural
- Medical
- Official Visit
- Other
- Sports
- Study (Czech Schengen Student visa)
- Tourism (Czech Tourist visa)
- Visiting Family or Friends
Long Term Visas (Type D, National)
A long stay visa for Czech, which allows a maximum one year period of stay, is available for the following purposes:
- Business (Czech Working visa)
- Entrepreneurship
- Cultural
- Executive Manager
- Employment
- Family
- Invitation
- Medical
- Official (political)
- Other
- Seasonal Employment
- Training
- Sports
- Study (Czech Student visa)
Czech visa requirements
The following documents are typically required for all visas to Czech.
Passport
Official, government-issued document, not older than 10 years, with the correct validity length (a minimum three months past the intended day of exit from Czech)
Visa fee
Your Czech visa fee will depend on the type of visa you are applying for, and possibly other factors, such as your age. Adult Schengen visas fees are traditionally €80; most long-term Czech national visas cost $104.
Personal photos
Two recently taken photos of the applicant. Photos should be passport style (and have passport dimensions). You will likely upload these photos electronically; alternatively, you will be asked to submit physical copies
Additional documents:
You will almost certainly have to submit additional documents on your Czech visa application. Requested documents are typically those which help visa authorities confirm your identity, determine the truthfulness of your stated purpose of travel, and assess your financial state. The type of Czech visa you apply for will determine your supplemental documents, which may include the following:
Biographical documents
Identity documents, such as your birth certificate
Financial materials
Documents showing your finances, such as your bank balance
Accommodation
Information about where you will stay in Czech Republic
Educational materials
Proof of university education, etc.
Proof of medical insurance
Please note that all documents will likely need to be written in Czech or English (or accompanied by official translations into either).
Czech visa application
Applicants for Czech visas should follow these general steps, which may vary slightly depending on numerous factors, including visa type and application destination.
- Prepare your visa application
Choose your visa duration
Determine how long you intend to be in Czech—i.e. what type of Czech visa you need: long, short, or airport. This will determine how you proceed with the subsequent application steps.
Select your Belgian visa purpose
Choose your reason for travel (education, business, etc.)
Select your entry category
Your selection of the single entry visa for Czech or the multiple entry visa for Czech will determine whether or not you may travel in and out of the country/Schengen area throughout your visa period. Consider that holders of the single-entry visa for Czech cannot return to the country after exiting.
Determine where to apply
Find the physical destination for your application (the Czech Embassy/ Consulate or associated visa-application center where you live). - Fill out your visa application
Access your main application form
Applicants should access one of two online forms, depending on which visa they seek: the Schengen visa form or the long stay visa application form. You will officially submit your application through your local Czech embassy/consulate/visa application center, in order fulfill various in-person requirements.
Gather the rest of your documents
Gather your required documents as well as the supplemental ones required for your specific Czech visa type. - Schedule your visa interview
Almost all Czech visa applicants must attend a visa appointment at their application destination (local Czech embassy/consulate/visa application center). Scheduling a Czech visa interview can take days, weeks, or even months. You should reach out to the embassy/consulate/visa application center directly (via email/phone) to make an appointment.
- Attend your visa interview
This is where you will submit your biometric information, be interviewed, pay your Czech visa fee, and meet other requirements pertaining to your visa type. This is typically the final stage of the Czech visa application process; you will either be granted a visa upon the conclusion of your appointment, receive a rejection, or leave to await a decision.
Please note that certain visas may require subsequent steps (for example, if you are applying for a long term Czech business visa you may need to apply for Czech Work Permit—other long term visas may require you to apply for a residence permit for Czech. For more information about whether your visa application will subsequently require you to seek a Czech Work Permit or a residence permit for Czech, make sure to research the specific visa requirements for your specific visa type.
Where to apply for Czech visa
Czech visa application processing occurs at Czech embassies and consulates (and their associated visa application centers) around the world. Czech does not have an online visa application system. To apply, you should therefore submit a physical application to the Czech embassy/consulate and visa application center in your country of residence (where you will also fulfill the in-person Czech visa requirements). If there is no Czech mission in your country, you will likely apply for your Czech visa through the embassy/consulate of another country, which is representing Czech interests abroad.
When to apply for a Czech visa
Applicants for short-stay visas to Czech are advised to submit their application a minimum of fourteen days before their intended trip. And while applying well in advance is recommended, applying too early (i.e. over six months before departure) is discouraged.
Czech visa processing time
The Czech visa application processing time varies. Factors which determine how long it will take to get your visa include the following:
- Czech visa type
- Application destination
- Your nationality
- The completeness of application
Depending on all of these factors, you could expect to receive a visa in days, weeks, or even months after you apply.
Czech visa FAQ
Depending on where you are from, you may need a visa to enter the country, regardless of how long you intend to stay. Some nationalities do not need a visa to travel to Czech. Regardless of your nationality, however, you will need a visa if you intend to stay in the country longer than 90 days and you are not an EU/EEA/Swiss citizen.
Get a travel document for Czech (visa) by submitting an application to your local Czech embassy/consulate/visa application center, meeting the visa requirements, and paying your visa fee.
The amount of money you need depends on the Schengen country you are visiting. You will likely need to show several months proof of salary/bank statements in order to meet the Schengen proof of funds requirement.
Choose among the various types of Czech visa you need to apply for by considering your reason for travel and how long you want to stay in the country. These factors will determine the type of visa you need. In addition to visa type, you should also determine how many entries you need—i.e. whether you need a multiple entry visa for Czech or a single entry visa for Czech.
Rejected Schengen visa applicants can appeal the decision, reapply, or apply for another travel document for Czech (different Czech visa, such as Golden Visa for Czech or Visa Talent for Czech).
