Please take note that the visa decision procedure can take up to 60 days, in certain cases up to 90 days. Contact the Embassy regarding the visa application decision only if you have not been contacted by us after the 60-day period expires.

Details about the decision making procedure
 

Long-term visa application requirements:

1. a valid travel document (recognized by the Czech Republic, not older than 10 years, containing at least 2 free pages, its validity must be at least 3 months longer than the validity of the long-term visa which is applied for),

2. 3 photographs (3,5 x 4,5 cm, light background, no head covering except for religious reasons),

3. a duly completed and signed visa application form,

4. a document confirming the purpose of stay (i.e. the original enrolment letter issued by the university, college or high school, issued in the Czech language),

5. a proof of accommodation provided by the applicant - either the original lease contract or its certified copy, the official declaration of the accommodation provider with his/her authenticated signature, or the document proving the applicant's ownership of a flat or a house in the Czech Republic – in original or a certified copy, issued in the Czech language,

6. a proof of funds in the Czech Republic and the proof of access to the funds from the Czech territory, such as

• for students who are scholarship holders, the original document proving that the applicant is entitled to a scholarship; if the document was not issued by the Czech university it should be authenticated and translated into Czech – for details see Remarks below,
• for students covering their own costs, the original or stamped bank account statement (a periodical one covering at least the most recent 3 months) with a copy of an international credit card linked to this account – in case the bank account’s owner is the parent / a relative / a sponsor, a declaration by the parent / the relative / the sponsor stating that support will be provided to the student during his/her studies in the Czech Republic, is required; the declaration has to be signed by the sponsor and translated into Czech (or written in Czech)
• periodical bank account statements submitted in English do not have to be translated into Czech 
• the minimum amount for 1 year visa is 81 400 Czech crowns, in the current exchange rate (10 January 2022) approx. 3800 USD or 3350 EUR.

7.  a police clearance certificate (provided in original authenticated by the respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs - for details see Remarks below):

• issued by the applicant's home country (i.e. the country which passport the applicant holds);
• issued by the state(s) in which the applicant has had a continuous residence for over 6 months in the last 3 years, if relevant.  The requirement to submit the police clearance is based on the Act No. 326/1999, Coll., on the Residence of Foreigners in the Czech Republic, par. 31/3/a;

8. If the applicant is minor (under 18 years), a written consent of both parents with the student's stay in the Czech territory is obligatory; the declaration must be translated into Czech.

9. In case the visa is granted by the Ministry of Interior, a medical insurance covering the territory of the Czech Republic has to be arranged and presented to the Embassy before the visa is stamped into the passport. Detailed information on the required insurance policy will be sent to each successful visa applicant together with the notification of the approval of the visa. Since August 2021, the Foreigners' Comprehensive Medical Insurance  from the Pojistovna VZP insurance company is required.

Important Remarks:

• the application has to be submitted by the applicant in person at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Nairobi (by prior appointment only),
• the visa application fees and other consular fees (e.g. for legalization / authentication of documents, of translations, etc.) have to be paid in cash (or by credit / debit card) in EUR (visa fees - approx. 100 EUR per 1 long-term visa application) and KSh (consular fees),
• all original letters issued by the foreign government authorities (e.g. the police clearance) MUST be authenticated by respective Ministry of Foreign Affairs; kindly note that the authentication has to be stamped and signed on the original document;
• all documents written in English MUST be translated into Czech (the only exception are the periodical bank statements). The Embassy can provide verification of translation only, not the translation itself.       
• all documents must be submitted in original; copies and scans cannot be accepted
• the decision about the long-term visa applications with the “study” purpose are taken by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic within 60 days. During the decision period the applicant may be called in for an interview at the Embassy, if requested by the Ministry
• the visa application and the originals of the supporting documents are sent to the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic which is the authority competent to take decisions about the long-term visa applications
• university (or high school) certificates (diplomas, graduation certificates, transcripts and similar) and/or birth certificates are not required for the long-term visa application
• the supporting documents should not be older than 180 days, with the exception of the passport and photograph 

For detailed information on the visa application requirements, the decision-making procedure and other related issues please visit the websites of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic.

Useful information may be also find in a "Quick and simple (PDF, 2 MB)" presentation by the Ministry of Interior.