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General Information about Visa

(This article expired 05.06.2016 / 21:30.)

Citizens of the U.S.A., Canada, and Mexico are not required to have a visa to visit the Czech Republic/Schengen area for a period of up to 90 days within a 180-day period (except profitable activities) - it is calculated from the date of first entry into any Schengen country. However, visas are required for stays exceeding 90 days and profitable activities. The conditions of entry and short term stay of aliens in the territory of the Czech Republic/Schengen area are regulated by the Regulations No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council, so called "Visa Code" and for long term visa by the Act No. 326/1999 Coll. Citizens of EU countries, EEA countries and citizens of Switzerland do not require a visa for any type of visit or stay in the Czech Republic as effective on May 1, 2004.

Information for visa applicants

The issuance of short-stay Schengen visas is governed by Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code).  

The issuance of long-stay visas is governed by Act No 326/1999 concerning the residence of aliens in the territory of the Czech Republic and amending certain acts as amended.

Decisions on applications for Schengen visas fall within the competence of the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Czech Republic. This means that the diplomatic missions and consular posts decide on the issuance or refusal of such visas on their own authority. Decisions on long-stay visas (visas for a stay longer than 90 days) fall within the competence of the Alien Police of the Czech Republic. A refusal to issue a visa is final and without appeal.

An applicant who has been refused a visa will receive from the diplomatic mission or consular post a notice in writing stating the reasons for the refusal. The reasons for refusing a short-stay visa application are listed in the Visa Code; the reasons for refusing a long-stay visa application are listed in Section 56 of Act No 326/1999. Refused applicants may reapply at any time and attach the required documents. They may do so immediately after theirprevious application has been refused.

The applicant´s personal data contained in the visa application are made available solely to the competent authorities of the Czech Republic and serve for deciding on visa issuance or refusal, as required in Act No 101/2000 concerning the protection of personal data and  amending certain acts as amended.

Applicants have the right of access to the personal data relating to them that are processed for this purpose, including the right to rectification of such personal data. In case such personal data are inaccurate with regard to the purpose for which they are processed, the applicant may request an explanation or rectification. If the request is found to be justified, the competent diplomatic mission or consular post will rectify the data without delay. In case the competent diplomatic mission or consular post fails to comply with the request, the applicant may contact directly the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Czech Republic. Additional information is available on request from staff of the visa section of the competent diplomatic mission or consular post.

Contact details of the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Czech Republic:

Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů

Pplk. Sochora 27

CZ - 170 00 PRAHA 7

Tel.: +420 234 665 354

Fax: +420 234 665 501

e-mail: posta@uoou.cz

Protection of personal data in the visa process


The personal data contained in visa applications are, in accordance with Act No. 101/2000 to regulate the protection of personal data and to amend certain acts as amended, provided exclusively to the competent authorities of the Czech Republic and serve for deciding about the granting or refusing a visa.
Applicants have the right of access to the relevant personal data kept on them, including the right to a correction of these personal data. Provided such personal data are inaccurate for the purpose of their processing, applicants may require an explanation or rectification. If such a request is found justified, the competent diplomatic mission will rectify the situation without delay. In the event the competent diplomatic mission fails to comply with such request, the applicants have the right to contact directly the Czech Republic Office for the Protection of Personal Data (Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů ČR).

Address:
Úřad pro ochranu osobních údajů
Pplk. Sochora 27
170 00 Praha 7
Czech Republic
Contacts:
Tel.:             +420 234 665 354       
Fax: +420 234 665 501
e-mail: posta@uoou.cz

GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE APPLICATION FOR THE LONG-TERM VISA


According to the applicable legislation , the government authority in charge of the residence of aliens in the Czech Republic is the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. Useful information and advice regarding the conditions of the residence of aliens in the Czech Republic can be found on the Interior Ministry website at www.mvcr.cz under "Advice and Services for Foreigners".

The issuance of Czech visas and long-term residence permits is governed by the Aliens Residence Act. According to this legislation, the visa and residence permit procedures fall within the competence of the Czech Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The full text of the Aliens Residence Act in English and Czech is also available on the website the Ministry of the Interior ( www.mvcr.cz).

The diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic are competent to decide on short-stay visa applications, i.e. applications for airport transit visas, transit visas or visas for a stay shorter than 90 days.

Applications for long-stay visas (visas for a stay exceeding 90 days), long-term and permanent residence permits are considered by the Czech Republic Aliens Police.

Aliens who intend to stay in the Czech Republic for more than three months should obtain a long-stay visa.

Applicants for a long-stay visa are required to personally submit the "Application for Czech Visa" form together with other required documents at a Czech diplomatic mission.

The applicant will be charged a visa application fee.

On receiving a long-stay visa application with other required documents, the mission will forward it to the Czech Republic Aliens Police for consideration and processing. Each application is considered separately. The result is sent back to the mission, which will notify the applicant. If the visa is granted, the mission will affix a visa sticker to the applicant' s travel document.

Before the long-stay visa sticker is affixed, the alien will be required to present a document proving that he/she has a travel medical insurance policy valid for the period of stay in the territory of the Czech Republic.

Information Booklet for Foreign Nationals

What is a visa?

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Visa types

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Where should I lodge a visa application?

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Personal presence while lodging a visa application

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Travel document

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Travel medical insurance

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Funds to cover the stay in the territory of the Czech Republic

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Refusal to issue a visa

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Personae non gratae

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Entry into the territory

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Alien's duties in the territory of the Czech Republic

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Exit order

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Firearm Instruments of Assignment (FIA)

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Applicable laws and regulations

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Stay of citizens of the EU, Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Switzerland in the Czech Republic

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Green cards

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Selection of qualified foreign employees

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Accommodation

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Properties of a photograph