Please read the following information carefully before lodging your application.

Please note that the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka requires all applicants to book an appointment prior to visiting the office.

In case you would like to stay within the territory of the Czech Republic for more than 90 days (maximum 180 days) you have to apply for the long stay visa (visa over 90 days - type D). This type of the visa may be transferred to residence permit once you are in the Czech Republic. This type of visa is only valid for the Czech Republic and entitles the holder to transit through the Schengen area.

Long-term Visa Application Requirements

An application for a long-term visa for over 90 days can be filed at a Czech Embassy abroad. You are obliged to file the application only at the Czech Embassy in the state of which you are a citizen or which issued your current travel document or in the state in which you have a long-term or permanent residence permit. You do not have to meet these conditions if you are a citizen of a state presented in the list of countries whose nationals are entitled to file an application for a long-term visa at any Czech Embassy whatsoever (Decree No. 429/2010 Coll.).

An application for a long-term visa can only be filed inside the Czech Republic in legally set cases.

You should submit the application on the completed form along with all the necessary requirements laid down by law. You should, however, always submit originals or official copies of the documents. All of the documents submitted must be produced in the Czech language or officially translated into Czech. Kindly note that the Czech Embassy does not offer translation services. 

REQUIREMENTS

Along with the application for a long-term visa you must submit:

1. Travel document (original)
2. Two photographs; not necessary if a pictorial recording has been made of the foreign national
3. Proof of accommodation,
4. Document on the purpose of stay,
5. Proof of funds,
6. Document similar to an extract from the Penal Register record, issued by the state of which you are a citizen, as well as the states in which, in the last 3 years, you have resided continuously for a period longer than 6 months, or a signed affidavit in the event that this state does not issue such a document (not required from a foreign national under 15 years).

The Embassy of the Czech Republic in Lusaka in accordance with Section 31, Para. a) of Act No. 326/1999, on the Residence of Foreigners in the Czech Republic, asks all applicants for long-term visas and long-term residence who will submit applications at this embassy to submit a document similar to the extract from a criminal record issued by the State of which the applicant is a national and the same document issued by the States where the applicant has been continuously in the last 3 years for more than 6 months, or an affidavit in case that State does not issue such a document.

 Upon request you are further obliged to submit a medical report, that you do not have a serious illness; (i.e. the illnesses presented in Decree No. 274/2004 Coll.[pdf, 562 kB]).

PURPOSE OF THE STAY

Additional information of the Ministry of Interior (MOI) with respect to the purpose of intended stay in the Czech Republic.

1. Purpose “studies”
2. Purpose “employment” (As of 24 June 2014, it is no longer possible to apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of employment. This type of permit was replaced by an employee card and a blue card)
3. Purpose “business”
4. Purpose “family reunification”
5. Purpose “invitation”
6. Purpose “culture“

If your application is approved, prior to affixing the visa, you are obliged to submit a proof of medical travel insurance that corresponds to the specified conditions (not required if the foreign national subscribes to public health insurance or if the costs for health care are covered on the basis of an international agreement or if the foreign national can demonstrate that health care is covered in another manner), and, upon request, a document on paying the insurance presented in the proof of medical travel insurance.

Please note

• Please read carefully as incomplete applications will be immediately returned or the process will be delayed.
• All documents must be presented in their original form or as a notarized copy (the photocopies of all documentation must be submitted as well).
• No documents (except for your passport) may be older than 180 days.
• All documents have to be originals or certified copies.
• The date of issue of the documents must not be older than 6 months; this does not apply to passports and registrar´s documents such as birth certificates.
• Foreign documents (other than Czech) must be legalized and superlegalized (if not stated otherwise in an agreement between the country concerned and the Czech Republic), Malawi documents must have Appostille from the MFA of Malawi;
• Foreign documents must be officially translated into Czech. Kindly note that the Czech Embassy does not offer translation services. 
• Fees can be paid in cash. Cheques or bank cards cannot be accepted.
• Applicants should make an appointment in advance by email lusaka@embassy.mzv.cz.
• To avoid possible financial loss the applicant should not buy a ticket before obtaining the respective visa. The visa officer may ask you for further documents. Production of those listed above does not guarantee that the visa will be issued.

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Long-stay Visa vs. Residence Permit

Both the long-stay visa and the long-stay residence permit are issued when the stay on the territory of the Czech Republic is expected to exceed 3 months. In general, the long-stay visa is primarily intended for persons who expect to stay in the Czech Republic for several months, while long-stay residence permit is primarily intended for persons who expect in the Czech Republic for several years – for example full study programme in a university, employment etc.

In case of accredited study programms, either a long-stay visa or long-stay residence permit may be applied for, in case of employment (employee card and blue card) residence permit is issued.

Similarities:

• allow stay exceeding 90 days (3 months),
• allow movement in the Schengen Area within 90 days in any 180-day period,
• long-term visas and long-term residence permits can be extended on the territory of the Czech Republic – in case the purpose of stay continues, kindly contact the respective branch of the Ministry of Interior according to the place of residence.

Differences:

A) Long-term visas:

• are issued as multiple visas for a maximum of 1 year,
• for the purpose of health, culture, sport, study, scientific research, family, entrepreneurship and other.

B) Long-term residence permits:

• a one-entry long-stay visa is issued for the purpose of collecting a long-term residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic, with the duration of 60 days and validity 6 months,
• for the purpose of employment (employee card or blue card), study, scientific research, and family reunification.

Legal sources:

• Act No 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and Amending Certain Acts