The Czech Republic, a landlocked or non-coastal nation in Central Europe, came into existence following the peaceful breakup of Czechoslovakia over 25 years ago. The Czech Republic entered the Schengen agreement in 2007, the same year it became part of the European Union as well as the Schengen zone.
Prague, probably the most famous city in the Czech Republic, is the capital and also home to rich culture, art, and history. The country also offers some of the most unique destinations, including Lednice and Valtice, Telc, and many others with attractive fairy-like architecture.
Now that you are thinking of visiting the Czech Republic, you have to obtain a Czech Republic visa, or what we know as a Schengen visa. The process of obtaining a Schengen visa is tedious, as you probably know, but if you know what to do and you meet all the necessary and eligible criteria, obtaining a Schengen visa will be as easy as you expect it to be. So, below, we have curated a complete guide to visas to the Czech Republic, including the types and processes.
Do I require a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic authorities have outlined the following guidelines for determining whether or not you require a visa to travel to the Czech Republic:
You do not require a Schengen visa if:
- You are an EU/EEA/Schengen citizen, as you can work, reside, and visit the Czech Republic without any border restrictions.
- You fall under the countries with visa-free schemes with Schengen, like Canada, the US, the UK, Australia, South Korea, Japan, New Zealand, etc. (allowing a visa-free maximum stay of 90 days).
For non-EU nationals, visitors are required to provide the below-listed documents at the point of entry:
- Your valid passport or travel document, which is no older than ten years and must be valid for at least three months after your date of departure,
- A valid Schengen visa if you fall under the Czech visa scheme.
- A travel medical insurance policy that covers your entire stay in the Czech Republic and the whole territory of Europe.
- Financial proof demonstrating that you have sufficient funds for your intended stay in the Czech Republic You must provide evidence of having around 42 euros per day, and that you will remain in its territory.
Types of visas for the Czech Republic
The authorities of the Czech Republic issue certain types of visas depending on the purpose of your visit. The types include:
- Czech Republic Schengen visa: A Schengen visa enables the visa holder to enter and stay in the Czech Republic for less than 90 days, which also enables you to visit other Schengen countries for up to 90 days of stay. This visa is excellent if you visit the country for tourism, business dealings, conferences or meetings, or medical treatments.
- Czech Republic Transit Visa: A transit visa is required if you need to enter the international transit zone of any airports in the country, that further connects you to a non-Schengen country.
- Czech Republic work visa: Non-EU and EEA nationals require a visa to work in the Czech Republic, and these visas are particularly issued for the duration of your work contract in the country. The work visa requires you to provide an offer of employment from a Czech employer.
- Czech Republic family or friends visit visa: Such a visa can be availed of if you are planning to join a close family member living (legally) in the country. These members may be anyone, including the spouse, partner, or minor children of the Czech Republic.
- Czech Republic Student Visa: If you are not a national of an EU/EEA country or Switzerland, you must avail yourself of a student visa to study in the Czech Republic, while nationals of EU/EEA countries or Switzerland can study in the country without the need of a visa or residence permit. You have to report and inform the Czech Republic police in the case of a longer than 30-day stay.
- Czech Republic Digital Nomad Visa: The Czech Republic digital nomad visa is basically issued for long-term business purposes or for freelancers and allows you to stay in the Czech Republic and work for different companies. If you are looking to work and stay in the Czech Republic for less than a year, you can apply for a digital nomad visa.
Documents required for a Czech Republic visa
When applying for a short-term Czech Republic visa, you must submit these necessary documents:
- Czech visa application form, which is duly signed and completed without any errors. Print the completed form after filling it out on your computer.
- Two passport-size photographs taken within the last three months, complying with the photograph guidelines for the Czech visa application process
- Your original passport, which is not older than ten years and consists of at least two blank pages to affix the visa sticker. It must have a validity period of at least three months from the date of the intended departure from the country.
- Copy of your previous visas (if any and every visa issued by any world country)
- Proof of a round-trip itinerary, which may also include your flight booking, dates, and flight number, which clearly show the entry and exit from the country,
- Travel medical health insurance is valid for the territory of the Czech Republic as well as the entire territory of the Schengen Zone. It must cover all medical emergencies with a minimum coverage of 30,000 euros.
- Proof of accommodation showing where you will stay during your visit to the Czech Republic—that is your hotel booking for your complete stay in the country.
- Financial proof that shows you have sufficient balance to cover expenses in the Czech Republic
- A cover letter comprising details of your purpose of visit, the duration of your stay, and what you will be doing during your stay in the Czech Republic
- Proof of civil status like a marriage certificate, birth or death certificate, etc.
Additional requirements based on your employment status:
- Employed
- Employment contract
- the most recent six months’ bank statements
- Leave permission with your employer.
- Income Tax Return (ITR) form or Certificate of TDS (Income Tax Deducted at Source)
- Self-Employed
- A copy of the business license
- Company’s most recent bank statement slips, preferably of the last six months
- Income Tax Return (ITR)
- Student
- Proof of Enrollment
- NOC (No-Objection Certificate) from your school or respective university
- Retired
- Pension proof of the last six months
Additional requirements for minors
Minors wanting to travel to the Czech Republic must submit the additional documents listed as follows:
- Birth certificate of the minor
- The short-stay visa application form signed by both parents
- In the case where only one parent has full custody of the minor, you are required to submit a family court order.
- If your parents are alive or have a guardian, you must submit certified copies of the guardian’s ID or passport.
- If the minor is travelling alone in the Czech Republic, you must submit a notarized parental authorization signed by both parents.
Additional requirements based on the purpose of the visit
The purpose of your visit also asks you to submit additional documents to prove the reasons for your travel to the Czech Republic.
- Airport Transit Visa
- A valid visa (if applicable) for the final destination you are travelling to
- The confirmed flight ticket for the final country
- Tourist Schengen visa
- Travel itinerary. This requires you to provide details of your trip, including the reason for your travel, the duration of your stay in the Czech Republic, the dates of your arrival and exit, and other details like hotel reservations, etc.
- Proof of sufficient funds that is bank statement slips for the last six months
- Proof of how you will be funding your expenses for the trip
- Visitor visa
- Proof of financial means showing you have enough funds to cover all the expenses during your stay in the Czech Republic
- Sponsor letter if someone else is funding your trip to the Czech Republic, also known as an
- Travel plan, including the details of your trip in the country and an officially verified letter of invitation from a host in the Czech Republic. An invitation form will be given to your host by the nation; he or she must fill it out, have it approved by the Alien Police Inspectorate, and then mail it to you.
- A photocopy of the host’s ID
- Business visa
- Invitation letter from the Czech company, including contact details and address, with dates of your visit
- A certificate from your employer stating the purpose of your visit
- Financial proof that includes the funds for the applicant’s trip to the Czech Republic
- Student visa
- Enrollment certificate showing the attendance of courses in the Czech Republic
- No Objection Letter from the respective educational institution
- Medical visa
- A nearby clinical report given by a specialist, doctor, or emergency clinic in your nation of origin affirming that you required clinical treatment in the Czech Republic
- Financial proof
How do I apply for a short-stay Schengen visa for the Czech Republic?
You can apply for your short-stay Schengen visa for the Czech Republic by following the below steps. Please note that this visa enables you to stay for up to 90 days.
- Verify whether you require a short-stay visa to the Czech Republic.
- Choose the Czech visa type.
- Figure out where you need to apply for a Czech visa.
- Print off the completed Czech visa application form.
- Gather all the necessary Czech visa requirements.
- Schedule your visa appointment.
- Attend your visa interview.
- Wait for the response.
Processing time and cost for the Schengen visa to the Czech Republic
The processing time for a Schengen visa to the Czech Republic for up to 90 days in normal cases might take up to 15 days. If your application is submitted during the peak season, it may take up to 30 days. Specified cases may even take 60 days to be processed.
The standard cost for a Schengen visa to the Czech Republic is €80. The fee for a short-stay visa is €40, whereas children under the age of six can travel free of charge. There are some categories that are free from visa fees or require you to pay a minimum visa fee. Please make sure to check before you apply for a Schengen visa to the Czech Republic.
Overstaying and visa extension guidelines for the Czech Republic
The short-stay visa allows you to stay for a maximum of 90 days over a period of six months. Please make sure that you research and know about the 90/180 Schengen visa rule, and the case breaching the law, may result in paying heavy penalties or even unfavourable circumstances.
In the case of a Czech Republic visa extension, you can extend your visa, but only in exceptional cases. You must be precise about the reason for the extension and apply at regional directorates of the alien police service and their detached premises, that is, inspectorates of the alien police.
Take your time to do research on every possible reason and outcome for your visa extensions.
The Czech Republic is known as a country of architecture, and many of its significant cities were founded during the Romanesque era. These places flourished during the Renaissance, Gothic, and Baroque eras, boasting several UNESCO World Heritage Sites. After London, Istanbul, Paris, and Rome, Prague, the Czech Republic’s capital, is the fifth most visited European city. So, if you are planning to visit the Czech Republic, make sure to follow all the outlined policies and regulations while not forgetting to do research on the country.