Long stay visa – Students
Information about lodging applications for long stay visas (for over 90 days of stay) for study purposes
APPLICATIONS HAVE TO BE LODGED IN PERSON AT THE CONSULATE OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC IN SYDNEY. Applicants are required to provide their fingerprints (For details regarding personal presence requirement for Australian and New Zealand passport holders, please always contact the visa department of the consulate
!!Important: A foreign national (not Australian or New Zealand citizen) who is legally residing in Australia must prove a 2 YEAR CONTINUOS LEGAL RIGHT TO STAY within Australia/ New Zealand to be able to submit the LONG TERM VISA APPLIACTION/ PERMIT at the Consulate General in Sydney).!!
General information :
- Please read carefully the list of required documents, as incomplete applications cannot be accepted and will be returned to you.
- According to the Law of the Czech Republic, all documents (except the proof of sufficient financial means) must be presented in Czech language. For the list of translator click here
- All documents must be presented in the original
- All documents (except travel document) may not be older than 180 days.
Required documentation:
Applicants for a long stay visa (over 90 days) will need to submit:
1. Application form
Completed and signed visa application form
2. Photo
Two photos in color are to be attached: the photo must have a passport format, full face captured, and a light background. The photo must be reccently taken in professional quality.
3. Travel document
Travel document (passport) valid for at least ninety days after the proposed end of stay in the Czech Republic.
4. Evidence of sufficient funds
Evidence of adequate financial support for the duration of stay, eg. current bank statement, letter from financial institution and a proof that you will be able to withdraw these funds while in the Czech Republic (for example copy of internationally recognized credit/debit card).
A minimum of CZK 41 100.- or equivalent (AUD 2500,-) is required and additional CZK 5480.- (circa AUD 334.-) for each month of stay.
Children under 18 years of age are required half of the above amounts.
More information can be found here.
5. Evidence of purpose of stay
The original of the confirmation of the enrolment into studies issued by a Czech university (Acceptance Letter). This document must be in the Czech language.
6. Accommodation
Document issued by a Czech university or school verifying the accommodation for the duration of your studies, or a rental agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content, or a written confirmation of the person who is the owner or authorised user of the apartment or house with a notarised signature on consenting to the student´s accomodation
Important notes
- The original of any of the mentioned documents must be submitted.
- The documents confiming your accomodation must be in Czech language.
7. Criminal record clearance - Police clearance certificate (only for applicants older than 15 years)
Evidence that the applicant has no record in the Criminal record of the country that issued his passport and any other country/countries where he has resided during the last 3 years for more than 6 months.
- In Australia it is issued by Criminal Records section of the Australian Federal Police and it is called National Police check National Police Certificate (PDF, 639 KB)
- In New Zealand it is issued by Ministry of Justice and it is called "Copy of Criminal record".
- In other countries you have to contact the appropriate Embassy or Consulate for further information
Only above-mentioned original document can be accepted!!! Do not apply for a digital copy through Post office !!!
This public document (not notarized copy!!!) has to be attested by Apostille, that can be arranged:
- In Australia by Department of Foreign Affairs an Trade
- In New Zealand by the Department of Internal Affairs
- In other countries you have to contact the appropriate Embassy or Consulate for further information
This document has to be in or officially translated into the Czech language (including Apostille). The Consulate does not provide translations.
8. Fees
The visa fee of CZK 2,500 (according to the current exchange rate - approx. 150 AUD) is payable to the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Sydney. All fees are to be paid by physical bank card, or in specific cases and upon instruction by online transfer or in cash. Payment can be made in Australian dollars only. The Consulate will inform the applicant regarding the exact amount of the fee and way of payment.
The full list of visa/ residency fees can you find here.
9. Certificate of health insurance
When submitting long-term visa application, travel health isn’t required,
The applicant must provide proof of holding travel medical insurance when the visa is approved and before the visa is affixed to his travel document. The insurance must cover the entire period of the applicant´s stay in the Czech Republic as determined by the validity of the visa.
More detailed information on insurance can be found at the website of Ministry of Interior or Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
IMPORTANT NOTICE
- All visas must be approved by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. No assurances regarding the issuance of visas can be given in advance. Therefore final travel plans or the purchase of non refundable tickets should not be made until a visa has been issued.
- The visa for a stay over 90 days is granted for maximum length of 1 year.
- While lodging the application, an interview with the applicant can be conducted. A written record of the interview can be a part of the application. A record will be written down in Czech language and will be signed by the applicant and the officer of the Consulate who will conduct the interview. In case you do not understand Czech you can bring an interpreter with you to translate the written record.
- Student visas can only be issued by the same Embassy and Consulate General where the application for it was submitted. Hence, you cannot apply for a visa in Australia and pick it up in Europe or the Czech Republic. The Consulate General strongly recommends that applicants do not travel to the Czech Republic to begin their study programs without valid visas.
- In case the visa has been refused, you have the right of appeal. The appeal should be addressed to the Department for Asylum and Migration Policy of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic that made the decision about the application within 15 days after receiving the information about the refusal of the application.
- The Consulate General does not provide translations of documents submitted within the visa application. Please see a list of translators of the Czech language in Australia or in New Zealand.
Processing time
A long-term visa must be approved by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.
The long-term visa for the purpose of study shall be processed within 60 days from the date the Consulate General in Sydney receives the complete application.
Please understand that the Consulate is not able to speed up the visa approval process as it is decided by the Ministry of Interior of in the Czech Republic. Therefore, the Consulate General in Sydney encourages applicants to submit their applications on time.
If you have any questions you can contact us via email . We reply within 48 hours business days.
Additional information:
All fees are to be paid by card, or by bank account transfer (the information regarding the transfer is to be sent to the applicant by email after the Consulate General receives the complete application).
Please include details how your passport should be returned.
- AUSTRALIA - If by mail, a self addressed prepaid Express Post Platinum satchel has to be enclosed.
- NEW ZEALAND and other countries - you may arrange any courier company to pick up your passport once the visa is issued or you or have to pay for the postage fee to the Consulate.
For further information and fees, please contact the Visa department of the Consulate of the Czech Republic in Sydney.
!!Important: A foreign national (not Australian or New Zealand citizen) who is legally residing in Australia must prove a 2 YEAR CONTINUOS LEGAL RIGHT TO STAY within Australia/ New Zealand to be able to submit the LONG TERM VISA APPLICATION/ PERMIT at the Consulate General in Sydney!!