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Student Visa

Information about lodging applications for long stay visas (for over 90 days of stay) for study purposes.

Applicants for long term visa need to schedule an appointment in advance. Our opening hours are every business day 8:30 AM - 11:30 AM. Please email us /email communication is preferred/ at    visa.washington@mzv.cz    or    call 202-274-9103 from Monday to Thursday between 1:30 PM and 5:00 PM.

1. Where to apply

2. Types of visa

3. Processing time

4. Required documents

5. Important notice


Where to apply

The application has to be submitted at the Consular Office (of the Embassy or Consulates General of the Czech Republic) in accordance with the jurisdiction where you permanently reside.

Please note that submitting the application to the wrong Consular Office will automatically result in it being forwarded to the correct one and thus delay the processing time of your application.


Types of visa

If the university/program is accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, you are eligible to apply for a long term-visa for the purpose of study.

If the university/program is not accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic, you are not eligible to apply for this type of visa and you have to apply for the long-term visa for the purpose "other".

If the confirmation of enrollment issued by the school contains a statement that the student will be entered in the Register of Students "matrika studentů" together with the registration number, the purpose of the visa is "study".

This website information applies for students who apply for both types of visa!!! The difference between the two types of visa is the processing time (see bellow).


Processing time

We would like to point out that due to the extreme overload of the visa agenda associated with the registration and issuance of visas for the citizens of Ukraine, there will certainly be significant delays in the decision-making of other applications for long-term residence titles.

A long-term visa must be approved by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.

The processing time for the long-term visa for the purpose of study usually takes up to 60 days from filing the complete application. However, it could be longer nowadays because of the above mentioned reason.

The long-term visa for purpose "other" can be processed within 90 days from filing the complete application.

Please understand that it is not in power of the Embassy to speed up the visa approval process. The decisions are made by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. Therefore, the Embassy encourages applicants to submit their applications on time.

If you do not intend to pick up your passport with the visa in person (after the visa process has been finished), please enclose a certified pre-paid envelope with a sufficient stamp or an already pre-paid label  (only certified mail with a tracking number) to your original visa application package.


Required documents

INSTRUCTIONS:

  • 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 (see the list of known translators)!
  • We recommend to submit originals and also copies of all supporting documents!!!
  • All documents must be presented in the original or as a notarized copy.
  • All documents (except travel document) may not be older than 180 days.
  • The Embassy shall not assume any responsibility for lost or damaged documentation.

1. Completed application form

  • The form "Application for Long-term Visa" must be filled out completely with a ball point pen or on a typewriter. Do not use red ink to complete the application.

    Please do not forget
  • to sign the application in the place indicated at the bottom of the fifth page
  • to include your phone number and e-mail address for future communication


2. Two recent photographs (passport size, professional, OF A GOOD QUALITY - NOT PRINTED OUT FROM PC!)


3. Passport

  • You must submit your original passport. Its validity must exceed your intended stay by at least 3 months (after the visa expires) and the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years.
  • We recommend to submit two copies of the data page of the passport (the page with your personal data and photo) as well.

    Notes
  • Please make sure that your passport has at least two blank pages (for affixing visa and administrative purposes).
  • If you need your passport during the processing time, please submit a request within your application together with a prepaid self-addressed envelope so that the passport can be returned to you. The passport must be resubmitted at the end of the application process for the issuance of the visa after the visa has been approved by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic. You must be present in the US at the end of the visa process.

 

4. Document confirming sufficient financial resources

Funds to cover the stay in the Czech Republic may be proven by one of following possibilities:

  • copy of the front side of an internationally recognized debit/credit card in your name with the validity throughout your stay in the Czech Republic + a corresponding bank checking account statement on your name with approximately 3 700,- USD balance for one semester
  • original letter from the bank confirming the fact that you will be able to use your funds during your stay in the Czech Republic with a verified  translation into the Czech language with approximately 3 700,- USD balance for one semester + a copy of the front side of an internationally recognized debit/credit card on your name
  • another document confirming that you can use the financial funds during a stay in the Czech Republic (e.g. an original letter from the family member confirming the financial support during your stay in the Czech Republic signed by a person who will support you /notarized signature with a verified  translation into the Czech language e.g. Sponsoring.xls (mzv.cz), plus bank checking account statement with approximately 3 700 USD for one semester) + copy of the front side of your internationally accepted debit/credit card (VISA, Master, AMEX) that is linked to family member account
  • a financial guarantee of the US or Czech University which proves that the student’s stay in the Czech Republic will be secured by providing financial means amounting to the existential minimum for 1 month of the expected stay, or a document that all of the costs associated with his/her stay will be covered by the recipient organization + internationally recognized debit/credit card on your name. The letter from the US university must be translated into the Czech language. Proof of funds submitted in this manner cannot be used for an application for a long-term visa for the purpose “other”.
  • For the purposes of a long-term visa (apart from the purpose of business), a foreign national is obliged to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (in accordance with the Government Regulation No. 436/2022 Coll., as of Jan 1st, 2023 the following minimum is equal to 3 130 CZK) for the first month and double the amount of existential minimum for every month afterwards, i.e. for instance, for a stay from January 1st until June 30th it would be (15 * 3 130) + (5 * 2 * 3 130) = 46 950 + 31 300 = 78 250 CZK.

A foreign national under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Please note that the existential minimum is established by the Czech law and can be changed every year.


5. Document confirming the purpose of the stay

  • The original or notarized copy of confirmation of enrolment into studies issued by a Czech university (Acceptance Letter). This document must be in the Czech language.


6. Proof of accommodation

  • a 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 siganture on consenting to the student´s accomodation

Important notes

  • The original or a notarized copy of any of the mentioned documents must be submitted.
  • The documents confiming your accomodation must be in Czech language.


7. Criminal History Background

US citizens

  • Criminal History Affidavit (PDF, 167 KB) confirming that you have never been indicted and sentenced for a felony of any kind.

    If you are submitting your application by mail, your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. If you come to the Embassy in person, you can sign the Affidavit in front of Consular Official.

    In addition upon request from the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic during processing of your application you are may be obliged to submit:
  • US citizens: If you have lived in any other country besides the US for 6 months or longer in the previous three years, you are required to submit an Excerpt from Criminal History Record issued by that country.

Non US citizens:

  1. You need to submit a Criminal History Record from the home country with the appropriate verification (Apostille/superlegalisation) with the translation into the Czech language of whole document including Apostile.
  2. Criminal History Record issued by the official authority (it means from the FBI) with the appropriate verification (Apostille) with the translation into the Czech language of whole document including Apostile.


8. Travel medical insurance

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.

From September 20, 2023 such insurance can be arranged with any insurance company authorised to provide it in the Czech Republic. Information can be found at: Medical Insurance - frs.gov.cz

More details concerning travel medical insurance are available also on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic: https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-application-requirements-travel-medical-insurance-during-a-stay-longer-than-90-days.aspx


9. Visa application fee

  • For the visa fee, please click here - cash or money order payable to Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington only.
  • Personal or business checks and credit cards are NOT accepted.
  • Visa fees vary depending upon the exchange rate between the Czech and US currency. Visa fees are non-refundable.


10.  Post delivery

  • If you would like to send your passport back, please enclose to your visa application package a certified pre-paid envelope with a sufficient stamp or an already pre-paid label (only certified mail with a tracking number). You can use for example USPS PRIORITY MAIL FLAT RATE ENVELOPE - EP14F  or  PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS FLAT RATE ENVELOPE - EP13F with appropriate stamp or label or UPS envelope with an already pre-paid label or FedEx envelope with an already pre-paid label. It is recommended to use following envelope size 12.5"L x 9.5"W.   
  • For future tracking, we suggest you to make a record of the of tracking number. Please send within your application the purchase label with the barcode.
  • Don´t forget to print/write your full postal address on the envelope. We will send the passport with visa in it.

 

The complete application send to:

EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC
VISA SECTION
3900 SPRING OF FREEDOM ST NW
WASHINGTON DC 20008-3803


We recommend to send originals and also a copy of the whole package of documents.

 

 


IMPORTANT NOTICE

  • All visas must be approved by the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic prior to the Czech Embassy being able to issue same. 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.
  • We recommend to send originals and also a copy of the whole package of documents!!!
  • If you do not intend to pick up your passport with the visa in person (after the visa process has been finished), please enclose a certified pre-paid envelope with a sufficient stamp or an already pre-paid label  (only certified mail with a tracking number) to your original visa application package. 
  • You can use for example USPS PRIORITY MAIL FLAT RATE ENVELOPE - EP14F  or  PRIORITY MAIL EXPRESS FLAT RATE ENVELOPE - EP13F with appropriate stamp or label or UPS envelope with an already pre-paid label or FedEx envelope with an already pre-paid label. It is recommended to use following envelope size 12.5"L x 9.5"W. Don´t forget to print/write your full postal address on the envelope. We will send the passport with visa in it.
  • The visa for a stay over 90 days is granted for maximum lenght 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 languge 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 the US and pick it up in Europe or the Czech Republic.The Czech Embassy 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 Consular Section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic does not provide translations of documents submitted within the visa application. Please see a list of known translators and/or interpreters of the Czech language located in the jurisdiction of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Washington.
  • The Consular Section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic provides verification of signatures on documents -please see consular fees

If you have any questions you can contact us via email (visa.washington@mzv.cz). In case of emergency you can call our visa department (202 274 9103) PHONE CALLS AFTERNOON ONLY!

 

*Please be advised that visas can be collected in person at the Embassy. Should a client prefer to use mail services, they are free to select their preferred delivery service (USPS, UPS, FedEx). IT IS IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT THE EMBASSY OF THE CZECH REPUBLIC TAKES NO RESPONSIBILITY IN SUCH DELIVERY SERVICES AND THEIR SUCCESSFUL DELIVERY TO THE INTENDED ADDRESS.


Useful links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic


 

Attachments

Photo requirements for visa application 153 KB PDF (Adobe Acrobat document) Feb 19, 2014

form Sponsor 124 KB PDF (Adobe Acrobat document) Sep 20, 2018