Schengen (short-stay) visa

Schengen (short-stay) visa applicants file their applications at the diplomatic mission of that Schengen Area State which is the only or main destination. When visiting several Schengen Area States, the main destination constitutes the state, where the stay will be the longest. If the duration of stay in several Schengen Area States is equal, the main destination constitutes the state, in which the main purpose of travel lies (for example conference participation). If it is not possible to determine the main destination based on these criteria, the application is to be filed at the diplomatic mission of that Schengen Area State which constitutes the entry in the Schengen Area (i.e. will be visited the first).

If the Czech Republic is the only or the main destination, the application is to be filed at the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic.

The applicants file their application in the state of which they are either citizens or holders of a long-term residence permit. In case there is no diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic in this state, the application is to be filed at the diplomatic mission which is accredited for that state (usually located in a neighboring state) or at the diplomatic mission of another Schengen Area State if the Czech Republic concluded a representation agreement with this state.

If more diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic are located in one state (for example an embassy and consulate(s) general), the application is to be filed at the diplomatic mission located in the district where the applicant resides.

The application can also be filed in the visa center.

The application can also be filed through an accredited travel agency – more at websites of the diplomatic missions of the Czech Republic that use this service.

 

Long-term visa, long-term and permanent residence permit

Long-term visa or a long-term or permanent residence permit applicants file their applications at the diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic in the state, where they reside on a long-term basis – i.e. in the state of which they are either citizens or holders of a passport or a long-term residence permit.

Exception from this consular territorial competence rule applies only to citizens of states listed in the Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior No 429/2010 Coll., which contains the list of States, whose citizens can apply for a long-term visa or long-term/permanent residence permit also at a diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic not located in the State of which the applicant is a citizen, which issued the applicant´s passport or in which the applicant resides on a long-term/permanent basis.

Exception form the consular territorial competence rule applies to citizens, passport holders or long-term/permanent residents of these states/special administrative regions: 

·      Albania ·      Andorra ·      Antigua and Barbuda ·      Argentina ·      Australia ·      Bahamas ·      Barbados ·      Bosnia and Herzegovina ·      Brazil ·      Brunei ·      Canada ·      Chile ·      Costa Rica ·      Croatia ·      Guatemala ·      Honduras ·      Hong Kong, Special Administrative Region ·      Israel ·      Japan ·      Macao, Special Administrative Region ·      Macedonia ·      Malaysia ·      Mauritius

·      Mexico ·      Monaco ·      Montenegro ·      New Zealand ·      Nicaragua ·      Panama ·      Paraguay ·      Republic of Korea ·      Saint Kitts and Nevis ·      Salvador ·      San Marino ·      Serbia ·      Seychelles ·      Singapore ·      USA ·      Vatican ·      Venezuela ·      Taiwan ·      Uruguay

In the Schengen Area, the Czech Republic processes visa applications by the following diplomatic missions only (i.e. the Czech Republic does not run a visa section at its other diplomatic missions in the Schengen Area):

1. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Athens (competent for Greece)
2. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Berlin (competent for Germany and Denmark)
3. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Bratislava (competent for Slovakia and Hungary)
4. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Brussels (competent for Belgium, France, Luxembourg, and Netherlands)
5. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Madrid (competent for Spain and Portugal)
6. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Stockholm (competent for Sweden, Estonia, Finland, Iceland and Norway)
7. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Vienna (competent for Austria, Italy, Malta, Slovenia and Switzerland)
8. Embassy of the Czech Republic in Warsaw (competentfor Poland, Latvia and Lithuania)

Legal sources:

• 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)
• Act No 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and Amending Certain Acts
• Ordinance of the Ministry of the Interior No 429/2010 Coll., which contains the list of States, whose citizens can apply for a long-term visa or long-term/permanent residence permit also at a diplomatic mission of the Czech Republic not located in the State of which the applicant is a citizen, which issued the applicant´s passport or in which the applicant resides on a long-term/permanent basis