For legal long-term employment in the Czech Republic, a foreigner must apply for a work visa.

The work visa is intended for applicants who want to get a job in the Czech Republic, as well as for highly qualified persons who are candidates for obtaining a blue card of the European Union. This type of visa is valid for one year.

All documents must be submitted in 3 sets (1xOriginal and 2xcopies) to have 2 complete sets of documents. The original documents will be returned after the application process is completed. Documents that are not issued in Czech or English must be translated.

Required documents for obtaining a Czech work visa

• Application form, which must be completed in English or Czech, signed and dated by the applicant himself 

• A passport that must be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival from the Czech Republic. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"

• 3 photos

• Residence permit/visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

• Proof of employment in the Czech Republic (employment contract or job invitation)

• Proof of qualification (diplomas and certificates)

• Curriculum Vitae-Resume (CV) indicating the received certificates, diplomas and qualifications

• Proof of residence (if it is not specified in the invitation or contract)

• Certificate of non-criminal record. The document must be issued in the country where you have lived for the last five years. This document must also be valid for no more than 90 days and must be apostilled with a translation into Czech or English.

• Medical certificate. A document issued by a legally recognized doctor stating that you don’t suffer from any medical condition that has a serious impact on public health.

For more information about the list of required documents and conditions for obtaining a visa, please follow the link: https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/long_stay_visa/long_stay_visa.html 

Deadline for applying for a Czech work visa.

The average period for applying for a Czech visa is 10-60 calendar days. It depends on your country of visa application.

Visa commission

The visa fee for a Czech work visa is 95 euros for foreign citizens. Payment may vary depending on your nationality or country of application.

Where to apply for a Czech work visa

You apply for a Czech work visa at Czech visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which of them accept visa applications in your country of residence. If not in your country, you need to contact the nearest embassy or Consulate at your address.

A long-term visa for seasonal employment is required for citizens of so-called third countries who perform work that depends on the change of seasons for more than three months. Seasonal employment can last a maximum of six months.

Required documents for obtaining a Czech work visa

• Application form, which must be completed in English or Czech, signed and dated by the applicant himself 

• A passport that must be valid for at least three months after the date of your arrival from the Czech Republic. In addition, the passport must be issued within the last 10 years and contain at least two free "visa pages"

• 3 photos

• Residence permit/visa (if your country of residence and citizenship are different)

• Proof of employment in the Czech Republic (employment contract or job invitation)

• Proof of residence (if it isn’t specified in the invitation or contract)

• Certificate of non-criminal record. The document must be issued in the country where you have lived for the last five years. This document must also be valid for no more than 90 days and must be apostilled with a translation into Czech or English.

• Medical certificate. A document issued by a legally recognized doctor stating that you don’t suffer from any medical condition that has a serious impact on public health.

For more information about the list of required documents and conditions for obtaining a visa, please follow the link: https://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/long_stay_visa/seasonal_employment.html

Where to apply for a Czech work visa

You apply for a Czech work visa at Czech visa application centers, embassies or consulates, depending on which of them accept visa applications in your country of residence. If not in your country, you need to contact the nearest embassy or Consulate at your address.

Citizens of Switzerland, EU member states, don’t need to obtain any permits. Also, a work permit is not required for such categories of citizens:

• Athletes, artists, scientists

• Rescuers during missions

• International drivers, if they are employed in foreign enterprises and sent to the Czech Republic to perform their duties

• Accredited journalists

• Graduates of Czech universities

• Foreigners who have been granted additional protection, asylum, or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of obtaining protection

All other foreign citizens who plan to get a job in the Czech Republic must obtain a permit.

Which authority should I contact?

The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs on its website provides information about jobs in the Czech Republic, about employment agencies, and also maintains a database of vacancies for foreigners. 

Employment centers issue work permits. They can also help you find a job if you've lost one.

Ministry of the Interior-Department of asylum and migration policy issues employment cards. More detailed information can be found here.