It is no secret that you can get a high-quality European higher education in the Czech Republic. Educational institutions of the country occupy leading positions in the rankings of the best universities in Europe and the world. Find out more about the procedure for obtaining a student visa in the Czech Republic, application processing time, cost and other important details

A prestigious diploma, affordable tuition fees, and a high level of education are the key factors that make applicants from CIS countries choose to study in the Czech Republic. Obtaining a long-term student visa is a prerequisite for those who want to obtain a university or college degree or improve their knowledge of the Czech language.

For those coming from outside the EU/EEA and planning to study in the Czech Republic, you need to apply for a student visa and, if necessary, a residence permit. If the study program lasts less than three months, a short-term visa (C visa) is sufficient. However, a long-term visa (D visa) and a residence permit are required for stays of more than 90 days.

Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland are free to live and study in the Czech Republic without a student visa or residence permit. However, if they plan to stay in the country for more than 30 days, they need to register with the Foreign Police within three days of arrival.

The visa and residence permit application process can take from 60 to 120 days due to the need to translate many documents into Czech. The administrative fee for each application is 250 CZK (100 EUR/110 USD).

To learn more about the top 10 best countries to study abroad, please follow the link.

Applying for a long-term student visa for the Czech Republic

To apply for a student visa to the Czech Republic, you need to follow several steps:

1. Get an acceptance letter. First, you need to get an official acceptance letter from the university where you have applied. Make sure that all required payments, such as tuition fees, have been made;

2. Make an appointment for a visa appointment. Choose a convenient time to visit the nearest Czech embassy or consulate in your country. It is recommended to schedule an appointment in advance;

3. Fill out the visa application form. Fill out the form and sign it. The form can be found on the embassy's website or obtained in person;

4. Gather all the necessary documents. Prepare all the documents required to apply for a visa. Check if you have all the documents according to the checklist;

5. Pay the visa fee. Before submitting your documents, pay the visa fee and attach the receipt to your application form;

6. Attend a visa appointment. Be on time for the appointment and bring all the necessary documents;

7.  Wait for a response. After submitting your application, expect a response within 60-120 days. If your application is approved, you will be able to use the visa to travel to the Czech Republic;

8. Enter the Czech Republic and apply for residence. Upon arrival, register at the police department for foreigners. You will be issued a residence permit card that allows you to stay in the country for up to one year. The cost of the card is approximately 40 euros (1,000 CZK).

All submitted documents will be reviewed by the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic. You will receive a notification through the Czech Embassy about the results of your application.

Documents required to obtain a student visa in the Czech Republic

Employees of the embassy or consulate will ask you to provide the following documents:

1. A completed visa application form;

2. Letter of acceptance from your university;

3. A letter stating the purpose of your stay in the Czech Republic;

4. A valid passport with a validity period of more than 12 months;

5. Two passport-size photographs;

6. Confirmation of sufficient financial resources;

7. Proof of residence;

8. Information about an international health insurance policy (minimum coverage of 30,000 euros);

9. Certificate of no criminal record.

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You can get advice on education abroad on the Visit World portal. Our lawyers can answer all your questions about the current rules for admission to certain educational institutions, as well as help with the preparation of documents for admission and study abroad. To order a specialist consultation, follow this link.

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Timeframe for applying for a student visa to the Czech Republic

You can apply for a student visa no later than 120 days before the start of your studies. Although the Czech consulate reviews your application within 60 days, it is better to leave yourself enough time in case of possible delays. 

A student visa can be either short-term (up to 90 days) or long-term (up to one year). If you plan to stay in the Czech Republic for more than a year, you need to apply for a long-term residence permit.

Working on a student visa in the Czech Republic

If you have a Czech student visa, you have the right to work while studying, but your working week should not exceed 20 hours. 

You can work in the Czech Republic on a student visa with certain restrictions:

1. The maximum number of working hours per week is 20;

2. You can work without a work permit only if you are studying at an accredited program approved by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports of the Czech Republic;

3. Exchange or distance learning students can work without a work permit only until they reach the age of 26, provided that the work does not last longer than seven consecutive calendar days (maximum 30 days per year).

The working time limit exists because the main purpose of your stay on a student visa should be to study. However, if you are issued a work visa (Employment Card), you can work without time limits.

The right to work is automatically included in your visa permit, so you do not need a separate work permit. Your employer must notify the State Employment Service of your employment.

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What to do if you are denied a visa

If you are denied a visa, the consulate will send you a letter explaining the reasons for the refusal. 

If the refusal was due to non-compliance with visa requirements or lack of necessary documents, you have the opportunity to submit a new application. But to do this, be sure to make changes to the previous application, otherwise you will not be able to avoid a second refusal.

If you believe that the refusal was unfair or erroneous, you can file an appeal within 15 days. In your letter of appeal, please provide your personal data and strong arguments for reconsidering the decision.

An appeal against a visa refusal is accompanied by a fee of 60 euros. You can expect a response from the consulate within 35 days.

We remind you! Luxembourg offers unique opportunities for higher education and the development of a new cultural environment. This country has a number of prestigious educational institutions that offer programs at different levels. Read more about the peculiarities of obtaining higher education in Luxembourg in 2024, the peculiarities of obtaining a visa and the amount of tuition fees.

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