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The Czech Republic Visa Application Requirements

James Charles

Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe, formed after the peaceful dissolution of Czechoslovakia, 25 years ago. It signed the Schengen Agreement in 2007, during which year it became part of both, the European Union and the Schengen Area.

Home to 10.7 million people, the country is a tourist hub in Europe. Many of its major cities were founded during the Romanesque era and flourished by the Gothic, Renaissance and Baroque era, thus attracting tourists with their fairytale-like architecture.

Its capital, Prague is the fifth most visited European city after London, Paris, Istanbul and Rome. According to the Schengen Visa application statistics for consulates, the US VISA FOR CZECH CITIZENS consulates around the world received 623,255 visa applications to Czechia in 2017 alone. It is estimated that over 20 million people visited the country in the same year.

Fun fact about Czechia: It holds world’s record with the highest rate of beer consumption (no, it is not Germany).

Czech Republic Entry Requirements

The Czech Republic border authorities require from all EU nationals traveling to its territory to carry their passports with them.

As for non-EU nationals, these travelers are required to present the following documents to the Czech border police, upon their arrival:

  • A valid passport or travel document. Issued in the last 10 years and it should be valid for at least 3 months after your date of departure.
  • A valid visa. If you are subject to the Czech visa regime.
  • Travel Medical Insurance. Covering your whole stay in Czechia and the whole territory of Europe.
  • Proof of sufficient funds for your intended stay in Czech Republic. Czech Republic wants you to show evidence of attesting around 42€ per each day, you plan to remain in its territory.

The Czech border police may also ask you a couple of questions about your purpose of visiting the Czech Republic, like:

  • What is your purpose of visiting Czech Republic?
  • How long do you intend to stay in Czech Republic?
  • Where are you going to stay in Czech Republic? Etc.

Upon checking your documents and asking you questions similar to the ones listed above, the Czech border officer will take the final decision whether you should be permitted to enter Czechia or not. If you are permitted to enter Czech Republic, then thus you have also entered the Schengen territory.

Please, make sure that the Czech border officer stamps your passport when you enter the Czech Republic. Without a stamp, you could be fined or detained from the Czech Republic.

Who Needs a Schengen Visa to Enter Czech Republic?

As a member state of the Schengen zone the Czech Republic applies to travelers the common travel rules set by the Schengen states. As a result, come travelers need a visa to Czech Republic, while some others do not, based on their nationality.

You will need a Schengen visa to enter the Czech territory in the continent of Europe for short-stays, if you belong to one of the categories listed below:

  • Citizens of third-world countries that have not reached a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states.
  • Citizens of third-world countries that have signed a visa liberalization agreement with the Schengen states, but were previously rejected from entering Czech Republic or any other Schengen country.

What Type of Visa Do I Need to Enter Czech Republic?

According to your purpose of entry to the Czech Republic, you will need to apply for one of the Schengen visa types for Czechia. Check the Schengen visa types for Czech Republic, and figure out which corresponds to your situation:

  • Czech Airport Transit. If you need to enter the international transit zone of any of the Czech airports to take a flight that will take you to a non-Schengen country.
  • Czech Tourist Visa. Apply for this visa if your purpose of visiting the Czech Republic is for holidays, exploring or sightseeing.
  • Czech Visa for Visiting Family or Friends. Apply for this type of visa if you are traveling to Czechia under the purpose of visiting friends or family members that live in the Czech Republic.
  • Czech Republic Business This is the visa you need to apply for if the purpose of your trip to the US VISA FOR CHILE CITIZENS is to attend a business meeting or other business-related activities in this country.
  • Czech Republic Visa for Official Visit. Apply for this visa if you are planning to enter thCzech Republic as a member of a foreign Official Delegation invited for an official visit.
  • Czech Republic Medical Visa. If you need to obtain medical treatment in a hospital located in Czech Republic, you should apply for this type of visa.
  • Czech Study Visa. If you wish to attend an up-to-three-months study country at an educational institution in the Czech Republic, or even hold an internship, then you should apply for this visa type.
  • Czech Republic Visa for Cultural, Sports and Film Crews. Apply for this visa if you are going to attend an activity in the Czech Republic that is related to sports or culture.

Please note that these visas allow you to remain in the Czech Republic for a maximum of 90 days within a 6-month period. If you need a visa to stay in the Czech Republic for a longer period, apply for a Czech National Visa instead.

What Documents Are Required for a Czech Schengen Visa Application?

The mandatory required documents when applying for a short-term Czech visa are as follows:

  • Czech visa application form. Fulfill the form with your computer, print it and the sign it at the end.
  • Two identical passport photos. The photos should be taken within the last three months in compliance with the photograph requirements for Czech Schengen visa application.
  • Valid passport. Check your passport before applying, since it should have at least two blank pages in order to be able to affix the visa sticker. In addition, it should be no older than 10 years, and have a validity of at least three more months beyond the date you plan to exit Czech Republic and the whole territory of Schengen.
  • Copies of your previous visas. If you have ever held a visa issued by any world country, submit copies of them.
  • Round-trip Flight Itinerary. Which is a flight reservation with the dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Czech Republic.
  • Travel medical health insurance. A confirmation that you hold travel health insurance valid, for the territory of the Czech Republic and the whole Schengen Zone. Your insurance must cover medical emergencies in this zone with a minimum coverage of 30,000€.
  • Proof of accommodation. Proof on where you will stay during your time in the Czech Republic. I.e. Hotel reservation for the whole duration of the intended stay in the Czech Republic. Find and Book Hotels in Czech Republic!
  • Proof of sufficient financial funds . Czech Republic wants you to show evidence of attesting around 42€ per each day you plan to remain in its territory.
  • A cover letter. A personal letter in which you give details why you wish to visit Czechia, the period you plan to stay there, and what you will be doing throughout your trip.
  • Proof of civil status. This could be a marriage certificate, birth certificate of children, death certificate of spouse, etc.

Additional Czech Visa Requirements Based on Your Employment Status

Additionally, you will need to submit some extra documents when applying for a visa to Czech Republic, according to your employment status, as follows:

If employed:

  • Employment contract
  • Current bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Leave permission from the employer
  • Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of Income Tax deducted at the source of salary

If self-employed:

  • A copy of your business license
  • Company bank statement of the latest 6 months
  • Income Tax Return (ITR)

If a student:

  • Proof of enrollment
  • No-objection certificate from school or university
  • Advertisements

If retired:

  • Pension statement of the latest 6 months

If applicable:

  • Proof of regular income generated by property, for the last 6 months

>>Here you can find more information on how to get a No-objection certificate (NOC).

Additional Czech Visa Requirements for Minors

Underage applicants wishing to travel to the Czech Republic are required to submit the following additional documents for their short-stay visa application to Czechia:

  • Birth certificate of the minor traveling to the Czech Republic.
  • Application form for a short-stay Czech visa. The form should be signed by both parents.
  • Family court order. This document should be submitted in case only one parent has full custody over the child.
  • Certified copies of ID / passport of both parents. If both are alive. If the child has a guardian, then copies of guardian’s ID/passport should be submitted.
  • A notarized parental authorization to travel to Czech Republic, signed by both parents / guardian(s) if the minor will be travelling alone.

*Note: When applying at the Czech embassy/consulate in their home country, the guardian or parent should accompany their minors.

Additional Requirements Based on the Purpose of Entry to Czech Republic

The purpose of your visit to Czech Republic obliges you to add some extra documents in your application file, in order to prove the reasons you wish to visit Czech Republic. These documents are as following:

Required Documents for an Airport Transit Schengen Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to obtain a Czech Airport Transit visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • A valid visa (if needed) for the final country one is travelling to.
  • The flight ticket for the final country you are travelling to.

Required Documents for a Tourist Schengen Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to obtain a Czech Tourist visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • Bank statement. Preferably for the last 6 months.
  • Travel Plan. This is an elaborated trip itinerary. You should include here the purpose of travelling, the period you plan to remain in Czechia, the date you will arrive and leave, and mention other details as the hotel reservation, etc.
  • Proof how you will be financing your trip to Czech Republic.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visitor Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to obtain a visa to visit your friends or relatives in Czech Republic, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • Proof of financial means. Through which you show that you have the funds to financially maintain yourself throughout your stay in Czech Republic. This could be a:
    • Bank account statement.
    • Sponsorship Letter. When another person will be financially sponsoring your trip to the Czech Republic. It is also often called as an Affidavit of Support.
    • A combination of both.
  • Travel Plan. Which is a description of your trip in Czech Republic, including your purpose of travelling to Czech Republic, the period you want to stay and all your personal data.
  • Officially Verified Letter of Invitation by a host in Czechia. The Czech Republic will provide your host with an invitation form. Your host should complete the form and verify it at the Alien Police Inspectorate according to their permanent residence. Then, they should mail you this letter, so you can present it to the visa officer during your interview.
  • Photocopy of host’s ID.

Required Documents for a Business Schengen Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to obtain a Czech Business visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • Invitation letter from the Czech company you will be visiting and their contact details and address accompanied with the dates of your visit. They should also state if they will be covering the expenses of the trip.
  • A certificate from your employer (if applicable). In this letter, your employer should state why you are traveling to Czech Republic.
  • Proof of trip financing. Regarding the applicant’s expenses during their stay in Czech Republic, either the employer or the partner company must state coverage of expenses on the letter or invitation.

Required Documents for a Student Schengen Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to get a Czech Student visa, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • An enrollment certificate allowing attendance of courses (school / university / language course / etc.), in the Czech Republic.
  • No objection letter from the educational institution where you are currently enrolled (if applicable).
  • An internship agreement signed between the company in the Czech Republic, the establishment of origin and the trainee.

Required Documents for a Medical Schengen Visa to Czech Republic

When applying to get a visa to receive medical care in Czech Republic, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • A local medical report. Issued by a doctor / clinic / hospital in your home country, confirming that you need medical treatment in the Czech Republic.
  • A medical attestation from the hospital or doctor in Czech Republic, confirming the date of your appointment as well as your medical situation.
  • Proof that you have sufficient financial means to pay the medical expenses and other related expenses throughout your treatment.

Required Documents for a Schengen Visa to Czech Republic for Cultural, Sports, Film Crew or Religious Purposes

When applying to get a Czech visa under the purpose of attending a Cultural / Sports / Religious Event in Czech Republic you must provide the following additional documents:

  • Event Information. As:
    • Invitation letter from the relevant body in the Czech Republic with details upon the nature of events or activities that are to be held in the Czech Republic.
    • Entry tickets to the event.
    • Enrollment conditions.
    • Detailed program of the event in the Czech Republic.
    • Other documents that present Names of the applicants (crew members) and other relevant information about the event.
  • Proof of previous performances. Participation in previous festivals and ceremonies (cultural, religious), sports competitions, winners certificates, proof of world/international ranking (sports).
  • Letter of the national federation on behalf of which the applicant is supposed to participate in the sport competition; on official letterhead; original, duly signed and stamped

Required Documents for a Czech Schengen Visa for the Wife/Husband of a Czech Citizen

When applying to get a Czech visa as the spouse of a Czech national/citizen, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • Proof of Czech citizenship (ID card or consular card or certification of Czech nationality or naturalization order).
  • Czech marriage certificate.
  • Czech family record book.

Czech Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

When applying to get a Czech visa as a member of an official delegation, you must provide the following additional documents:

  • The official invitation copy.
  • Proof about the purpose of journey (negotiations, meetings, event by intergovernmental organizations, consultations).

How to Apply for a Czech Short-Stay Visa?

To apply for a Schengen Visa to Czech Republic for stays up to 90 days, you will have to follow the steps listed below:

  1. Check if you need a short-stay visa to Czech Republic.
  2. Select the right Czech visa type.
  3. Find out where you need to apply for a Czech visa. 
  4. Complete and print the application form for a Czech visa.
  5. Collect the Czech visa requirements.
  6. Schedule a visa appointment.
  7. Attend your visa interview.

UK residents, please read: How to Apply for the Czech Republic Visa in the UK!

Where to Apply for a Czech Short-Stay Visa?

Depending on how the competent authorities of the Czech Republic in your country of residence have regulated visa submission and processing, you may have to apply at one of the following:

  • The Czech Embassy in your country of residence
  • A Czech consulate
  • A Visa Application Center to which Czech Republic has outsourced visa submission
  • The Embassy / Consulate of another Schengen country to which Czech Republic has outsourced visa submission

Who Can Apply for a Schengen Visa at the Czech Embassy / Consulate / VAC?

If the Czech Republic is the only country you will be visiting in the Schengen Zone, submit your short-stay visa application at the Czech embassy / consulate / VAC in your country of residence

In the other case, if you will be visiting other countries as well, submit your  Schengen visa for the Czech Republic to the Czech competent body for visa admission in your country of residence, only in case:

  • You will be spending more days in the Czech Republic, than in the other countries.
  • You will be spending an equal amount of days in each country, but you will enter the Schengen Zone through Czech Republic.

Be aware that to be eligible to apply for a Czech short stay visa you must be either a citizen of the country from where you are applying, or a temporary / permanent resident there. Note that you cannot apply for a short-stay Czech visa from a country in which you are currently on a visa.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Czech Visa?

The processing time for a Czech Schengen visa for stays up to 90 days is as follows:

  • Normal cases take up to 15 days to be processed.
  • Applications filed at peak season when the consulate is receiving a lot of applications take up to 30 days.
  • Extraordinary cases take up to 60 days.

Therefore, you are strongly recommended to submit your Czech short-stay visa application as soon as possible, though not earlier than three months prior to your trip to Czech Republic.

How Much Does It Cost to Apply for a Czech Visa?

You will need to pay a fee of €80 in order to get your Czech Schengen Visa application processed. The fee for a short-stay Schengen visa to Czechia is €40, whereas children under the age of 6 do not need to pay any fees.

Still, there are some categories of applicants that are free from paying the visa fee, or that at least need to pay a lover Czech visa fee. Check the list of the Czech Schengen Visa fees , to see if you belong to any of these categories!

How Long Can We Stay in the Czech Republic Without a Visa?

If you are the national of a country that has not yet signed a visa-free agreement with the Schengen countries, you will be unable to enter the Czech Republic, or any other country (aside of for transiting).

Whereas, if you are the national of a visa-exempt country, then you will be able to enter and remain in the Czech Republic and the other Schengen states for a maximum of 90 days, within a 6-month period.

Make sure you are familiar with the 90/180 Schengen Visa Rule. Do not break this rule, not even for a day, or you might pay a price. The consequences of overstaying are shown here.

Can I Extend My Schengen Visa in Czech Republic?

Yes, you can extend your Czech Schengen visa, but only in exceptional cases where new facts and special reasons arise after entry into the Czech Republic. You can apply for an extension of stay at regional directorates of the alien police service and their detached premises, i.e. inspectorates of the alien police.

Take the time to read How to Extend a Schengen Visa in Czech Republic in order to have it clearer in which circumstances and under what conditions you can be eligible to extend your Czech Schengen Visa.

Can My Czech Schengen Visa Be Revoked?

Yes, your Czech Republic visa can be revoked, when it becomes evident to the competent Czech authorities conclude that the conditions for issuing the visa are no longer met.

Failure of the visa holder to provide the border officer, with the entry requirements, may also lead to a decision to annul or revoke the visa, though not automatically

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