The Czech Republic’s central placement in Europe makes it an attractive location for foreign employees and international businesses. If you’re planning an expansion to the country, you can take advantage of good transportation and infrastructure links. However, you’ll also need to worry about meeting compliance laws related to Czech Republic work visas and permits.
Types of Work Visas in the Czech Republic
Foreigners not from the European Union (EU) or European Economic Area (EEA) must apply for a Schengen visa before entering the Czech Republic. About 40 states also have agreements with the country that allow citizens to stay for up to 90 days as long as the visit isn’t related to employment or business.
The Czech Republic has two main visa categories — long-term and short-term Schengen visas. Your employees are eligible to apply for either one for employment purposes, but they’ll still need a work permit to stay compliant. The differences between the visas follow:
Short-term: A short-term visa allows holders to stay within the area for no more than 90 days over 180 days. This larger category is broken into further visa types depending on the reason for the holder’s visit, such as business, employment, study, or tourism.
Long-term: Anyone planning on staying in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days needs a long-term Schengen visa. The application process is lengthier and may include an interview at the Czech diplomatic mission where the individual applies.
In addition to these Czech Republic working visas, the country has two long-term permits that act as both residence and work permits — the EU Blue Card and the employee card. EU Blue Cards are only eligible for EU citizens labeled as highly qualified individuals. Nationals from non-European countries can apply for an employee card if they offer skills and qualifications the country needs.
Requirements to Obtain Czech Republic Work Visas
Requirements for a Czech Republic working visa depend on the type of visa your employees need. All Schengen visas require:
A completed application form
A passport valid for at least three months before departure
Two passport-sized photos
Documents outlining the nature of the applicant’s stay, such as a work permit
Proof of travel medical insurance
Proof of intention to leave the country once the visa expires, including a plane ticket
Proof of accommodation for the duration of the stay
A document outlining the nature of the applicant’s stay
A criminal record from the country of residence
Proof of financial security
Payment of visa application fees
Application Process
The application process for a Czech Republic work permit rests on both the employer and the employee. Foreigners can work only in positions where you couldn’t find any suitable candidates within the Czech Republic or other EU member states. When you meet the country’s conditions, you can submit a work permit application to the Labor Office in the district where you’ll employ the foreigner. Your employees must have a work permit before entering the Czech Republic, or you’ll be held liable.
For employees to gain work permits, you must submit the following documents on their behalf:
Proof of identity
Proof of address in the foreigner’s country of permanent residence
Your company’s identification information
Information about the place, duration, and type of work
Declaration from you saying that you will employ the foreigner
Notarized copies of all academic and professional qualifications
Payment of the administration fee
Other Important Considerations
Every non-EU citizen has to register with the Foreign Police Department or at an office of the Ministry of Interior within three working days of arriving. Within 30 days, they must register at their local Foreigners’ Police Inspectorate or an office of the Ministry of Interior. EU Blue Card holders and prospective employees also need to go to the Ministry of Interior’s Department of Asylum and Migration Policy to provide biometric data within three days of arriving.
Submission of application for Czech long-term visa for the purpose of business on a completed form
This is to be done by the applicant in person, an appointment at the Czech Embassy has to be booked in advance (The Czech lawyers and support team of our law firm will arrange an appointment at the Embassy.). In some cases the application can be sent by mail (e.g. USA citizens).
1) A valid travel document (passport)
2) Current photographs (2x)
3) A document confirming availability of accommodation (lease agreement covering the whole period of stay in Czech Republic or confirmation of accommodation – a simple form will be provided)
4) A confirmation of sufficient funds (bank statement in the name of the applicant with balance of at least CZK 110,000; needs to be stamped by the bank, currency and name of the owner of the account as well as the final balance needs to be clear from such statement)
5) A document confirming the purpose of the stay (extract from the Commercial Register confirming applicant's executive position OR extract from the Czech Trade License Office if the applicant is a self-employed)
6) Travel medical insurance contract incl. proof of payment, travel medical insurance should cover the whole time of stay in the Czech Republic, i.e. the whole time the visa will be issued for. The insurance can be purchased online, we recommend VZP or Slavia.
7) Upon request a document similar to an extract from the Penal Register (issued by the state of which you are a citizen, as well as states in which, in the last three (3) years you have resided continuously for a period longer than six (6) months)/Affidavit stating clean criminal history record with a notarized signature
8) Upon request, a medical report stating that the foreign national does not suffer from any serious disease (usually not required)
All documents have to be submitted to the Ministry of Interior in originals or notarized copies (the latter is preferred) and in the Czech language or with official translation in to the Czech language, eventually the Apostille has to be attached to the official documents.
The applicant has two options with regards to the health insurance:
a) Wait for the visa application to be approved and submit the insurance contract including confirmation of payment after he/she gets a notification of approval i.e. when collecting the visa at the embassy. This option is more logical and cheaper (because we do not know when the application will be approved), therefore it is recommended by us and the insurance can be easily bought online with a credit card. The applicant will also receive all documents from the insurance company in multiple languages via email.
b) Purchase the health insurance (also online) in advance and submit the insurance contract and proof of payment together with the application for a long-term visa as one of its attachments. The insurance should start approximately ninety (90) days after the application is submitted (we expect this to be the soonest date of the visa approval); this option is preferred by the embassy because the application is complete from the beginning however as the applicant does not know when the LTV will be approved (between 90-120 days but may take longer in some cases) he/she has to pay insurance even for the period when they are not in the Czech Republic. This second option is however preferred by the Czech Embassies and Consulates in the USA.
An interview may be conducted with the employee at the Czech Embassy; the applicant may be questioned about the company (seat, employee, business activity, business plan), accommodation and also family relations.
Where to apply?
Either at the Embassy of the Czech Republic within the appropriate territorial jurisdiction: in the state of which the foreigner is citizen or, if applicable, the state that issued the travel document or in the state where the foreigner has long-term or permanent residence.
Our lawyers and support team will arrange an appointment at the Embassy in advance. We will arrange an appointment at the Embassy in advance.
Administrative fees for Czech business visa
2500 CZK (to be paid in cash in the local currency at the embassy)
Granting a long-term visa for the purpose of business
The applicant must visit the embassy in person again and eventually provide the travel health insurance document and proof of payment of the insurance (if not done before – see above). You can find more information on the Czech long term visa on the web page of the Czech Ministry of Interior.
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