Czechia long-term study visa

Third-country nationals planning a qualifying course, exchange, study visit or other activity classed as studies under Section 64 of the Foreigners Act.

• Qualifying studies

  The planned activity must meet the definition of studies in Section 64 of the Foreigners Act. The official guidance includes accredited university programmes; specified preparation for such programmes; secondary or higher vocational study under an exchange programme; specified scholarships, study visits, voluntary service and education-development exchanges. European voluntary service is listed for applicants aged 18 to 30.

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• Study confirmation

  Provide an original confirmation of studies or enrolment. This does not apply to study visits or volunteering: study visits require the documents stipulated by law, and volunteering requires an agreement with the host organisation.

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• Travel document

  Provide a travel document. For a long-term visa, it must be no more than 10 years old, have at least two free pages and remain valid for three months longer than the visa.

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• Accommodation

  Provide proof of accommodation.

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• Funds or covered costs

  Provide proof of funds or proof that a public authority, legal entity or host organisation will cover all costs related to the stay. For a long-term visa other than one for business, the published funds calculation is 15 times the monthly subsistence minimum, plus twice that minimum for each whole month after the first; the page states a monthly subsistence minimum of CZK 3,130. Applicants under 18 prove half the amount. The funds guidance also lists alternative evidence available for qualifying studies.

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• Form and photograph

  Submit the correct printed application form and a photograph.

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• Parental consent

  Applicants under 18 must provide parental consent where required. The consent guidance says it is needed when a parent or legal guardian will not stay in Czechia with the child, subject to the exceptions stated there.

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• Criminal record document

  Provide a document similar to a criminal record certificate from your country of citizenship, unless you are under 15. If requested, also provide one from other states where you resided for a total of six months during the three years before applying.

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• Document format

  For applications submitted outside Czechia, documents generally cannot be older than 180 days; the stated exceptions are travel documents, civil registry documents and a photograph showing your current appearance. Documents not in Czech or Slovak need certified Czech translations, and specified foreign public documents need an apostille or superlegalisation.

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• Medical insurance before collection

  Before collecting an approved visa, provide proof of the required travel medical insurance, unless an exemption applies. The insurance guidance states a coverage limit of at least EUR 400,000 per insured event, without cost sharing, and sets out the permitted arrangements for the initial 90 days and the rest of the stay.

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• Standard long-term visa applicationSources disagreeSourceKč 2,500 per person
• Long-term visa application: Democratic Republic of Congo citizenSources disagreeSourceKč 17,000 per person
• Long-term visa application: Uzbekistan citizenSources disagreeSourceKč 5,000 per person
• Long-term visa application: Albania, Japan, South Africa or Turkey citizenSources disagreeSourceKč 0 per person
• Qualifying long-term study visa application: Taiwan citizenSources disagreeSourceKč 0 per person
• Decision timeThe published processing period is 60 days from submission at a diplomatic mission. It stops running if proceedings are suspended or another legal ground applies.About 2 months

1. Get ready

   • Check that your studies qualify

     Check that your planned activity meets the official definition of studies under Section 64.

   • Gather your documents

     Get your travel document, study confirmation or applicable alternative, accommodation and funds evidence, photograph, criminal record document and any consent or other documents required in your case.

     You’ll need: Travel document, Confirmation of studies or applicable alternative, Proof of accommodation, Proof of funds or covered costs, Photograph, Criminal record document, if aged 15 or over, Parental consent, if required

   • Complete and sign the form

     Fill in the application form, print it and sign it.

     You’ll need: Printed, signed application form

2. Apply

   • Contact the diplomatic mission

     Contact a Czech diplomatic mission where you are permitted to apply and arrange an appointment before submitting your application.

   • Submit your application

     Submit the printed form and required documents at the diplomatic mission in person, unless it waives the in-person requirement in a justified case, and pay the applicable consular fee.

     You’ll need: Printed application form, Required supporting documents

3. Visa

   • Wait for the decision

     The Ministry of the Interior assesses the application and may request an interview or additional documents.

     You’ll need: Additional documents, if requested

   • Show insurance and collect your visa

     If approved, provide proof of the required medical insurance before receiving the visa in your travel document.

     You’ll need: Proof of medical insurance, Proof of insurance payment, if requested, Travel document

4. Settle in

   • Register after arrival

     When you arrive

     Register with the Foreign Police within three business days of arriving in Czechia.

If you need to stay for more than one year, you must apply for a long-term residence permit.

• Medical Insurance - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Processing periods - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Studies under Section 64 - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Travel Document - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Long-term Visa for the Purpose of Studies - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Parents’ consent to the child’s stay in the Czech Republic - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Proof of Funds for the Stay (Finances) - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Formal Requirements (Third-country Nationals) - ipc.gov.czipc.gov.czOfficial
• Visa Fees | Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republicmzv.gov.czOfficial

Japper is an AI immigration assistant. It gives general information from official sources, not legal advice, and it can be wrong. For your own case, ask a licensed advisor.