The Czech Republic attracts foreign talent every year because of its favorable work environment, convenient location in Europe, and friendly culture.
If you’re looking to get a work visa in the Czech Republic, here are the things you need to know.
Do I need a work visa in the Czech Republic?
The Czech Republic is a member of the European Union, which means the nation allows other union member citizens to work without a Czech Republic work visa. However, if they stay in the Czech Republic for over three months, they must request a registration certificate from local authorities.
Foreign nationals who do not need a work visa are:
- citizens of EU and EEA member states,
- citizens of Switzerland, and
- their family members, as long as they apply for a residence card for a family member
Third-country nationals and those not mentioned are required to apply for a work visa.
Check Also: Available Programs in Europe for International Students
What are the requirements to apply for a work visa in the Czech Republic?
There are a few different ways to enter the Czech Republic to work. Depending on your purpose or occupation, you can apply for an Employee Card, a Long-term Residence Permit, or a Seasonal Work Permit.
The Employee Card is the easiest and most recommended work visa for foreigners. It is a type of long-stay residence permit that allows employment, so you don’t have to apply for them separately. If you receive an employee card, you are entitled to:
- reside in the Czech Republic territory
- take up paid employment for the job the card was issued for
- work in a job consented by the Ministry of Interior (i.e., changing a job title, changing employer, or an additional employer)
The employee card is intended for any type of employment and is not limited by professional qualification requirements. In some cases, it may also be used as a permit for free labor market access, as long as you fall under certain criteria stipulated in the nation’s Employment Act.
A Long-term Residence Permit is for scientific research, sports, culture, entrepreneurship, business, and family reunification. For foreigners who graduated from a Czech university, it’s a permit to seek employment.
For seasonal work, you may apply for a short-stay visa (work for a maximum of 90 days) or a long-stay visa for seasonal occupation (work for a maximum of 90 days in a 180 day period).
Once you identify the type of work visa for the Czech Republic you should apply, you will need supporting documents to prove your eligibility for it. You also need to submit the basic work visa requirements of the Czech Republic.
General Requirements:
- Valid travel document or passport
- One photograph measuring 25x45mm
- Contract of employment showing permissible monthly salary or at least minimum wage
- Employment authorization from the Public Employment Service of the Czech Republic
- Proof of available accommodation for your duration of stay
- Proof of no criminal record (e.g., police records)
- Registrar documents (e.g., birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Travel medical insurance for the period of residence until you become eligible for the national medical insurance program
- Documents showing professional qualifications, such as:
- Diploma or transcript of records (if required, a recognition of your foreign education by the authorities)
- Required professional licenses, certifications, or proof of work experience
- DocuRegistrar documents (e.g. birth certificate, marriage certificate)
- Travel medical insurance for the period of residence until you become eligible for the national medical insurance program
- documents complying to requirements of regulated professionals, if applicable
Upon request, you will further submit:
- Affidavit or extract from the Penal Register record
- Medical report fulfilling conditions of the Ministry of Health
The Employee Card mandatory documents are the same as general requirements.
For a long-term visa or seasonal work, you must additionally provide:
- Document on the purpose of the stay
- Proof of available funds (bank statement showing at least 15 times the existential minimum amount of 2490 CZK or 114 USD)
All the documents must not be older than 180 days at the time of submission, except for the travel document and photograph, as long as it resembles your current appearance.
Steps on Applying for a Work Visa in the Czech Republic
Work visa applications for the Czech Republic follow a general procedure, albeit with a few variations on documentary submissions per visa type.
It is best that you already have a Czech employer or hold an agreement with a Czech organization to make the process easier. For an Employee Card, however, a job contract is necessary.
You can follow this detailed guide:
1. Accomplish the visa application form
To begin your application for your Czech work visa, prepare all the requirements required for your case. Make sure your requirements are original copies and not older than 180 days from the date of your application.
Fill out the visa application form for your selected purpose of stay. It typically includes your personal information, work history, and purpose of travel and stays in the country. Application forms are available in English and Russian here.
For an employee card, you must accomplish a special form called “Application for an Employee Card” because you have to include details of a particular job vacancy you’re seeking.
2. Submit your application to the embassy
All work visa applications for Czech Republic must be submitted in person at a Czech embassy abroad, so schedule an appointment with a Czech embassy or consulate. It must be in the state where you are a citizen or a long-term or permanent resident.
Officials may conduct an interview and request additional documents if needed. You will also submit digital scans of fingerprints and a photograph.
If you are already in the country, you are eligible for an employee card application only if you’re coming from another long-stay visa. Otherwise, any application coming from within the Czech Republic is not permissible.
3. Pay visa fees
Visa applications have an administrative fee equal to 5000 CZK or around 228 USD and are paid in foreign currency. An overview of fees is found here. Only when you’ve settled the fee will the consular office review your application.
4. Submit proof of medical insurance
Processing time for your Czech Republic work visa takes between 30 and 60 days, but you can track your application here.
Once your visa is approved, you need to submit your medical travel insurance that satisfies Czech conditions. Afterward, you may freely travel to the Czech Republic to work.
We hope this article on how to get a work visa in Czech Republic was informative and insightful. Make sure to also check out the Available Programs in Europe!
