The Czech Republic boasts of a high quality of life, open economy, low cost of living, excellent job opportunities, and competitive salaries. If you want to work in the Czech Republic you can apply for a work visa. The Czech Republic work visa is also called a D visa and is available for those who want to enter the country for employment. Since your goal is employment you also need an Employment Card to start working. This blog covers everything you need about the Czech Republic work visa- its requirements, application process, processing time, and more. You will also learn about the Employee Card and how to get it.
This Blog Includes:
- Do Indians Need to Apply for a Czech Republic Work Visa?
- What is a Czech Republic Work Visa?
- Special Work Visa & Employment Card
- Czech Republic Work Visa Requirements
- When to Apply for a Czech Republic Work Visa?
- How to Apply for the Czech Republic Work Visa?
- Czech Republic Work Visa Processing Time
- Czech Republic Work Visa Fees
- How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Czech Work Visa?
- Is it Possible to Extend the Czech Republic Work Visa?
- Can I Bring My Family on a Czech Republic Work Visa?
- Other Long Term Residence Permits Issued By The Czech Republic
- Things to Know Regarding Woking in the Czech Republic
- FAQs
Do Indians Need to Apply for a Czech Republic Work Visa?
Yes. Indian nationals need to apply for a Czech Republic work visa. The Czech Republic is a part of the Schengen Agreement. Therefore, the EU/EEA and Switzerland nationals are excluded from the visa requirements. All other nationals will have to apply for a visa.
What is a Czech Republic Work Visa?
The Czech Republic grants two types of work visas. That is the short-term work visa or the Uniform Schengen visa to undertake work for less than 90 days. Those who want to work for more than 90 days can apply for a D visa. It is important to note that a D visa is granted for different purposes. For example,
- Medical reasons
- Sports
- Official (political matters)
- Culture
- Family
- Internship, studying in the country, volunteering, language, course
- Family
- Seasonal employment
- Working Holiday
- Employment
- Entrepreneurship
- Training
The D visa you need to apply for is the Special Work Visa. The Special Work Visa is granted for a stay of up to 91 days to 1 year. This visa is given for employment purposes only.
Learn how to apply for a Czech Republic student visa
Special Work Visa & Employment Card
Those who intend to work in the Czech Republic must know about the Special Work Visa and the Employment Visa. The meanings are explained below:
Special Work Visa
The Special Work visa is a type of D visa. This is also called the Czech Republic work visa. It permits you to stay up to 1 year for employment. However, this visa only allows you to travel from India to the Czech Republic. It is not an authorization to work.
An Employment Card
An Employment Card is a type of residence permit and work authorization. Therefore, you need to get approval for the Employment Card from the Embassy of the Czech Republic. Thereafter, you can get a Czech Republic work visa and travel to the Czech Republic. You can collect your Employment Card after you reach the country. The Employment Card is valid for up to 2 years (depending on your employment contract), and is renewable.
Requirements for an Employment Card
You can apply for the employment card in coordination with your employer. To apply for the employment card you need the following documents:
- A passport or a valid travel document
- Document to state that you have arranged your accommodation in the Czech Republic
- One photograph showing your current appearance
- You must have an employment contract and an agreement regarding the work activity you are going to undertake.
- Documents to demonstrate your professional qualifications for the relevant job
- If applicable, an extract from the penal registry record, and a document to prove that you have fulfilled the conditions set by the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic to prevent infectious diseases.
- If the employer is a job agency and you can be allocated temporarily to another employer, then you need to submit documents providing the employer’s details. The kind of work you are going to undertake must be, and the location of the job must also be indicated.
You can apply for the Employment Card at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in your home country.
To learn how to apply for an Employment Card, watch this video:
Czech Republic Work Visa Requirements
After you have received the approval for a Czech Republic Employment Card, you can apply for a work visa. To apply for the work visa you must submit the following documents.
- A valid passport that is valid for at least 3 months beyond the duration of your stay
- A completed visa application form, and your photograph
- Ensure that you have paid the visa fees, and submitted your visa fee receipt
- Submission of your biometric information- fingerprints
- Submit documents to prove your purpose of stay. This includes the employment permit issued by the Labor Office, trade licence, employment contract or agreement, company register extract, and employment contract or agreement.
- Proof that you have arranged your accommodation in the country
- Moreover, you need to have medical insurance that is valid in all the Schengen states. The minimum amount you need for the same is EUR 30,000 for at least 3 months.
- You must provide proof that you have sufficient funds to cover your expenses for the duration of your stay
- Submit documents that you intend to leave the Schengen state after your stay. For example, submit return air tickets, and proof of ties to India (your home country)
- Apart from that, you need to submit documents based on harmonised lists
To view the Harmonised Lists for Indian applications, download this PDF
When to Apply for a Czech Republic Work Visa?
You can apply for the Special Work Visa/D visa not earlier than 6 months before your intended travel. Applications must be submitted at least 15 working days before the date of travel. Applications that are sent right before the travel date is not processed.
How to Apply for the Czech Republic Work Visa?
Follow the steps below to apply for the Czech Republic work visa:
- Research – Research the visa centres/consulates of the Czech Republic in your country. The visa application has to be submitted at a consulate or visa centre
- Appointment– Get an appointment at the visa centre/consulate in your home country
- Submission of Documents- On the appointment date, you need to submit your biometric information and other documents. Children below the age of 12 are not required to submit their biometric information.
- Await the Decision– You will have to wait for the processing of your visa application. Generally, it takes 15 days,
- Collect Passport– After a decision is arrived at you can get an approval or refusal form. You need to get the same along with your passports, and other documents. If someone else is collecting your passport on your behalf, a certified power of attorney must be presented.
- Use your visa– If your visa is approved, the same can be used as per the conditions.
Czech Republic Work Visa Processing Time
The Czech Republic processing is as follows. The visa processing is generally done earlier than 15 working days. However, the processing time can be extended in exceptional circumstances.
Visa | Processing Time (working days) |
D visa | 15 Days |
Exceptions | 45 Days |
Czech Republic Work Visa Fees
The Czech Republic work visa fees are as follows. eeApart from this amount, you may have to pay a small visa service fee at the visa application centre.
Visa | Visa Fee |
D visa | CZK 2,500 |
Employment Card | CZK 5,000 |
How Much Bank Balance is Required for a Czech Work Visa?
You need to maintain a minimum bank balance for a work visa. The amount you need would depend on your duration of stay.
Duration of Stay | Minimum Amount Required |
For stays of 30 days and less | 1,565 CZK per day |
For stays over 30 days (90 days maximum) | 46,950 CZK + 6,260 CZK. The amount would increase by 2x 3,130 CZK per month. Therefore, on average you need 3,130 CZK per day. |
Is it Possible to Extend the Czech Republic Work Visa?
Yes. The Czech Republic work visa is renewable. However, you must apply for the visa extension at least 3 months before your current visa expires. Moreover, you must agree to work for the same employer. In case, you want to change your employer you need to apply for a new work permit.
Can I Bring My Family on a Czech Republic Work Visa?
You can bring your immediate family (children /spouse) on a work visa. However, additional documents have to be submitted for this purpose. For example,
- A marriage certificate (for married people)
- Proof of cohabitation like insurance policies, lease contracts
- Birth certificate of children below the age of 18
A copy of the passport of your dependents must also be submitted.
Other Long Term Residence Permits Issued By The Czech Republic
Apart from the Employment Card, there are two other residence permits issued for employment. These are as follows:
Czech EU Blue Card
The EU Blue Card is granted to non-EU citizens. The applicants must have high professional or educational qualifications. Moreover, they must have secured a job offer from an employer in the Czech Republic. The Blue card is valid for 2 years. It is also renewable.
Intra-Company Transferee Card
The intra-company transferee card is another type of residence permit for workers. This allows a Non-EU citizen to transfer their work to higher positions. For example, to work as a specialist or a manager for 3 years. The card permits working as an intern for 1 year.
Things to Know Regarding Woking in the Czech Republic
Those intending to work in the Czech Republic, and get a Czech Republic work visa must know certain things. These are as follows:
- The Czech Republic has the lowest unemployment rate in the EU and is one of the safest countries in the world
- The average salary in the country is around CZK 35400 per month
- The health insurance amount usually starts from CZK 6000 per year. This amount can go up to CZK 40000 per year. The exact amount would depend on the country you have chosen.
- The cost of living in the Czech Republic is between USD 350 to USD 750 per month. The amount includes the accommodation cost, the cost of eating out in a restaurant, and transportation expenses. The exact cost of living would depend on your lifestyle.
FAQs
The Czech Republic has not disclosed the visa success rate. However, one thing is for certain you need to meet the visa requirements to get the visa. Applications who submit all the necessary documents, follow the application process in order, and do not engage in fraudulent activities are granted this visa. The success rate for the short-term visa for the Czech Republic is around 95.3%.
The cost of a residence permit (type D) is around CZK 2,500. On the other hand, the cost of an employee card or a blue card is CZK 5,000.
You can get permanent residence in the Czech Republic after 5 years of continuous residence in the country. The permanent residence will allow you to travel in the Schenegen area without a visa. You can apply for permanent residence if you already have a long term residence permit.
We hope you now understand all about the Czech Republic work visa. Want to apply for a Visa for your study abroad journey? Drop us a comment in the section below, or you can connect with a visa expert at Leverage Edu, and we will guide you on your dream journey!
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