Entry formalities and visa

If you have been accepted for university studies in Czechia, you should check whether you need a visa to enter the country. This depends on your nationality. Our website provides general information about entry formalities. Visas and residence permits processing is solely under the authority of our Embassies abroad and the Czech Ministry of the Interior which follows a rigorous process.

Students from EU/EEA and Switzerland

Students from EU/EEA countries and Switzerland are exempt from student visa requirements. To enter Czechia, EU students only need a valid passport or national ID card.  

EU students have, however, a reporting duty after their arrival if the intended stay in Czechia is longer than 30 days. In this situation, within 30 days of entering the Czech Republic, a student is required to report his/her presence to the Foreign Police Department in the location of his/her stay in Czechia. This obligation does not apply if the person providing accommodation submits the registration forms on behalf of the student, i.e. in case of stays in student dormitories.

For more information regarding the stay of EU citizens and their family members in Czechia click here. Information leaflets for EU citizens and their family members are available here.

Students from countries outside the EU

Students from countries outside the EU have to turn to the local Czech embassy or consulate and apply for a student visa. Please note, that the whole procedure requires some paperwork and can take up to 60 days, so it is recommended to apply for the visa well in advance. The regulations for obtaining visas change from time to time, so the information listed here should be considered as guidelines only. You should always consult your local Czech embassy or consulate or check the website of the Ministry of Interior for the latest information regarding visa requirements.

There are short-term visas (for stays up to 90 days) and long-term visas (for stays over 90 days). Students arriving for a period longer than one year should apply for a long-term residence permit for study purposes. 

The following documents are mainly required for receiving a student visa or a residence permit:

  • application form
  • letter of acceptance for studies
  • a valid passport and passport photos
  • proof of financial resources for the stay (e.g. in the form of a bank account statement or confirmation of being beneficiary of a grant)
  • confirmation of guaranteed accommodation
  • valid international health insurance
  • abstract from the Register of Criminal Records

Please note that some documents (e.g. the abstract from the Register of Criminal Records) must be translated into the Czech language by a translator with an official rubber stamp.

The Foreign Police examines the visa applications and notifies the Czech embassy or consulate to issue the visa.

In case of applying for a short-term language/preparatory courses, students should apply for a short-term visas (for stays up to 90 days), in case of long-term language/preparatory courses, students should apply for a  visa to stay over 90 days (long-term) or a long-term residence - for the purpose of studies (at public higher education institutions) / for the purpose of other (at private higher education institutions). More information can be found here.

Difference between long-term visa and residence permit

Both the long-term visa and residence permits are issued when the stay on the territory of Czechia is expected to exceed 3 months. In general, the long-term visa is primarily intended for persons who expect to stay in Czechia for several months – for example, study program lasting several months, etc. The long-term residence permit is primarily intended for persons who expect a longer stay in Czechia – for example, a study in a university program, employment, etc. You can read more at the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Problems with Visa Application

While we do understand your concerns, unfortunately, it is not within our competence to expedite the visa issuance / appointment process. Long-term visa and residence permits processing is solely under the authority of our Embassies abroad and the Czech Ministry of the Interior which follows a rigorous process.

Try to check the status of your application. If you don’t succeed, please contact your local Czech Embassy, its staff will give you more precise information. You can also turn to the Ministry of the Interior´s information hotline. Besides, we recommend you to contact your university, its staff certainly has experience in solving similar situations.

Registering with the Czech Foreign Police

Registration at the Foreign Police Department is compulsory for all foreign nationals staying in Czechia for more than 30 days. They must register within 3 days from the date of arrival to the country. Read more about this obligation here.

HOW TO EXTEND YOUR VISA OR LONG-TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT

Is your residence permit for the purpose of studies ready to expire? Extend it properly:

  • If you have visa with validity period shorter than one year, you can extend it up to 1 year (which is the maximum duration of this type of visa). You can apply for the extension in person at regional offices on the Ministry of the Interior or via post (how to extend a long-term visa). If you was already granted a long-term visa, you can also directly apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of “studies”. This new application has to be made in person at an OPC´s office (how to lodge a new application for a long-term visa).

  • If you already have long-term residence for purpose of “studies” which validity is expiring soon, you can extend it in person or via post (how to extend a long-term residence permit). This is applied only in case you continue your studies at the same school/university.

  • There is a special OPC office at Hládkov for international students with residence in Prague.

  • In some cases there is an application fee required. If you send your application via post, please do not forget to attach fee stamps of respective value. Overview of fees can be found here.

DOWNLOAD LEAFLET 

Visit other countries

Both long-term visas and residence permits allow visits to other countries in the Schengen area, provided the stay in the other Schengen Area states does not exceed 90 days within any 180 days and is of a non-profit nature.

Family visa

Your children or spouse can apply for a long-term visa or residence permit for family reunification purposes. You can find more information at the website of the Ministry of Interior.

detailed information ON VISA and entry formalities