How To Apply For Czech Student Visa

This post will go over everything that you need to know about the Czech Republic student visa requirements. Find out the process, fees, and timeline so that you’re prepared to know what to do and expect.  You shouldn’t stress over obtaining a Czech Student Visa with this step-by-step guide. 

The Czech Republic requires visas for international students who have been approved to study there. Your nationality plays a role in this.

On our website, you will get general information about how to get into the country. Keep in mind that to process long-term visas and residency permits, the Czech Embassy abroad and the Ministry of the Interior have sole jurisdiction.

Czech Students Visa Requirements And Application Guide

There are different categories of student visa requirements for different nationalities and we will be discussing them all here;

Visa Requirements For European and Swiss students

Students from the European Union, the European Economic Area, and Switzerland do not require a student visa. A valid passport or national ID card is all that is required of EU students in order to visit the Czech Republic.

A reporting obligation exists for EU students who intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 30 days. In this case, a student must notify the Foreign Police Department in the Czech Republic of his/her arrival within 30 days of arrival.

Students who remain in student dormitories do not have to comply with this rule because the person providing them with housing fills out the registration forms on their behalf.

Students from nations outside of the European Union

A student visa is required for students from countries outside of the European Union who wish to study in the Czech Republic. You should be aware that applying for a visa might take up to 60 days and that you should start the process as far in advance as possible.

Because visa requirements are subject to change, the information provided here should only be regarded as a guide. For the most up-to-date information on Czech visa requirements, check with your local Czech embassy or consulate or the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic’s website.

For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long-term visa (for stays over 90 days). Students who plan to stay in the country for more than a year should apply for a long-term study permit.

You’ll need the following to apply for an international student visa or residence permit:

  • letter of acceptance for studies, a valid passport and two passport-sized photographs of the applicant
  • Evidence of funds to cover the duration of the trip (e.g. in the form of a bank account statement or confirmation of being beneficiary of a grant)
  • Confirmation of a confirmed lodging arrangement
  • Insurance policy abstract from the criminal records database
  • Please be aware that some papers (e.g. the extract from the Register of Criminal Records) must be transcribed into the Czech language by a linguist with an official rubber stamp

The Czech embassy or consulate is notified by the Foreign Police of any visa applications that have been submitted.

Short-term visas (for stays up to 90 days) can be used for short-term language/preparatory courses, while long-term visas (for stays above 90 days) can be used for long-term language/preparatory courses (at private higher education institutions).

Image Credit: Shutterstock.
Image Credit: Shutterstock.

How to apply For Czech Student Visa

You’ll need a student visa and perhaps a residence permit if you’re not from the EU/EEA and want to study in the Czech Republic.

For short-term programs lasting less than three months, a short-term visa is all that is required (Visa C). For stays longer than 90 days, you’ll need a long-term visa (Visa D) as well as a long-term residency permit.

A student visa or residency permit is not required for EU/EEA and Swiss nationals to study or live in the Czech Republic. If you plan to stay for more than 30 days, you only need to notify the foreign police department within three days.

Applying for visas and residence permits can take between 60 and 120 days because many of the documents need to be translated into Czech. You’ll be charged an administration fee of 250 CZK (€100/ $110) for each application.

The process of applying for visas and residency permits might take anywhere from 60 to 120 days due to the translation of many of the documents. Each application will include an administrative fee of 250 CZK (€100/ $110).

Obtaining a long-term visa for students

It is necessary to obtain a visa before you can take advantage of studying in the Czech Republic. If you’re not a member of the EU or EAA, you must take the following steps:

Accept the offer of a place at a Czech university: Receive a letter of acceptance from the university you’ve chosen and pay any enrollment costs to guarantee your spot.

Make an appointment at a Czech consulate or embassy near you to obtain a visa. Booking an appointment in advance is essential because they fill up rapidly.

How to apply for a visitor’s visa To the Czech Republic?

  • Make sure you’ve completed all parts and signed the form
  • Collect all of the necessary paperwork: Additional paperwork is required in addition to the application form (In the next section, you will find a complete list)
  • Arrive on time
  • Make sure you have all of the needed information with you in order to submit your application
  • Pay the cost for administrative services (This fee must be paid before submitting your application)
  • Take your time and wait for a response (Application complexity affects processing time, but you shouldn’t have to wait more than 120 days for a visa)

To obtain a visa for permanent residency, follow these steps. Once your visa is approved, you can begin the process of applying for a residence permit. Another appointment with the Czech embassy or consulate is required.

The processing period for student visas in the Czech Republic

Your visa application can be submitted up to 120 days before your studies start.

Allow plenty of time in case of delays, even though the Czech embassy expects to finish your application in 60 days or less.

Travel conditions for families

Family reunification long-term visas and residency permits are available if you wish to bring your loved ones to the Czech Republic. Each member of your family must submit a separate application to the Czech embassy in your home country.

In most cases, it’s advisable to wait until your travel documents have been issued before applying for a visa or residence permit for your family members.

On-the-job training for students on a visitor’s visa

If you’re given a Czech student visa, you’re able to work alongside your studies, although your weekly work hours are regulated at 20. Ensure that you devote enough time to your academics is necessary.

You don’t need to apply for a separate work permit because this right to work is included in your visa permissions. As soon as your company learns of your hiring, they’ll contact the federal government’s job placement agency to let them know about it.

Steps to take if your visa application is turned down

Consolidated grounds for refusal will be included in your letter from the consulate, and you’ll know why your application was rejected in writing. This is a setback, but you don’t have to give up just yet.

You can resubmit if your initial application was denied due to your failure to fulfill the visa application criteria or your failure to provide the required evidence. In order to avoid a second rejection, you must have addressed the concerns in your previous application.

Within 15 days of your application being rejected, you have the option of appealing the decision. A compelling case for a re-examination should be included in your letter of appeal.

An appeal of a visa refusal judgment will cost you 60 EUR. Within 35 days, you can expect a response from the consulate.

How Many Funds Are Required For the Czech Republic Student Visa Requirements?

To obtain a year visa, you will need at least 82,000 Czech Crowns.

Is It Easy To Get Czech Student Visa?

A student visa with the Czech Republic is not easy, but with all documentation intact, there is no cause for alarm.

Can I Stay In the Czech Republic After Studying?

Yes, but you will need to apply for a work visa before you are allowed to start working fully for students from non-EU nations.

Is It Cheap To Study In the Czech Republic?

Studying in the Czech Republic is affordable for international students.

Czech student Visa requirements

So, if you are aspiring to study in the Czech Republic, we have given you detailed information that is easy to follow and the documentation that is required for international students from non-EU nations. So, if there is other information you need to know, kindly drop comments via the comment section.