The information provided in this article is up to date as of 2 March 2022, 12:00.

Travel to the Czech Republic

Can I enter the Czech Republic without a visa?

Yes, it is possible to enter the Czech Republic based on a visa-free regime for the purpose of tourism, business or visit of family/friends upon provision of a Ukrainian biometric passport. The maximum length of the visa-free stay is 90 days within a 180-day period. Health insurance for necessary and urgent care must be arranged for the whole duration of the stay. Registration at the Foreign Police of Ministry of Interior is required within 3 days upon arrival.

Can I travel without biometric passport?

The Czech Government cannot guarantee that citizens of Ukraine will be able to cross the external border of the Schengen zone without the biometric passport. It is advised to bring all available supporting documents for the need of further identification.

Is it possible to apply for a visa or residence permit from Ukraine?

No, at the moment, both foreign missions of the Czech Republic in Ukraine (in Kyiv and Lviv) are closed, and it is not possible to submit any type of visa or residence permit application from Ukraine. In addition, the Immigration Government Programs available for Ukraine were suspended.

Is it possible to apply for a visa or residence permit in another country?

Holders of the Ukrainian passport are not allowed to submit any type of visa or residence permit application in any country other than Ukraine unless holding either a long-term or a permanent residence permit of that country.

Is it possible to apply for a visa or residence permit in the Czech Republic? 

It is not possible to apply for any type of standard visa or residence permit from the territory of the Czech Republic. The only type of residence permission that can be applied for in the Czech Republic within the visa-free regime is either an application for international protection or special visa (leave to remain tolerance visa). The individual can stay in the territory of the Czech Republic until the immigration process is finished.

Is Remote Working Visa available?

No.

My residence permit application is approved – what do I do?

It is not possible to issue a D/VR visa at any Czech foreign mission in Ukraine thus it is recommended to travel within a visa-free regime (conditions above) to the Czech Republic and complete the immigration process in the Czech Republic.

My visa application is approved – where do I collect it?

The Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs will determine a Czech foreign mission in another country that will issue the visa. Please, refer to the website of the Ministry.

What are the current COVID requirements?

As of 25 February 2022, the Covid-related restrictions and duties do not apply to Ukrainian citizens arriving in the Czech Republic.

Residence in the Czech Republic

Where do I find instructions from the Czech government?

On the website of The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.

My visa-free regime / visa / residence permit expires within the next 14 days, and I cannot / do not intend to extend it, OR I am a holder of an exit visa, but I cannot return to Ukraine – what do I do?

The Czech Ministry of the Interior calls all citizens of Ukraine staying in the territory of the Czech Republic based on a visa-free regime, an exit visa, or a visa or residence permit that would expire in the next 14 days to visit in person the local Immigration office of the Ministry of Interior within special office hours and apply there for special visa (leave to remain tolerance visa).

The requirements are:

• application form,
• valid passport (the passport will be returned immediately to the applicant),
• photograph (3,5 x 4,5 cm).

With special visa (leave to remain tolerance visa) it is not possible to travel out of the Czech Republic.

Am I going to be covered by insurance in the Czech Republic?

At the moment of issuing a special visa (leave to remain visa), the foreigner becomes a participant in the public health insurance system with full access to publicly funded health care. The premiums will be covered by the state. A person who is granted a special visa by the Ministry of the Interior must visit a VZP branch in approximately 5 days and pick up an insurance certificate. In the event that the holder of a special visa needs urgent care before obtaining the certificate, we recommend presenting at least a valid travel document and the special visa to the medical facility.

Can I work with the special visa?

The Ministry of Labour did not allow free access to the labour market with the special visa yet, thus with this visa it is not possible to work without the work permit issued by the local Labour office. It is possible to apply for the work permit based on the vacant position announced by the Czech employer and based on the concluded Czech employment contract.

The Czech Government might also give the option to apply for an Intra-Company Employee Transfer Card within one of the Government Programs in the territory of the Czech Republic (either by the applicant themself or by the Czech receiving entity based on the Power of Attorney).

How long can I stay in the Czech territory based on the special visa (leave to remain tolerance visa)?

The visa can be issued with validity for up to 12 months based on the current situation in Ukraine. Afterwards, it is possible to extend the residence in the Czech Republic on special long-term residence permit (leave to remain tolerance residence permit). This permit allows free access to the labour market and free travel to other countries. Afterwards, it is also possible to change the purpose of stay and apply for an employee card, etc.

Are there any other ways to legalize my residence in the Czech Republic?

It is possible to submit the application for international protection at the Reception Centre in Zastávka near Brno (the only such centre as of 19 February 2022). The applicant is accommodated in the Reception Centre and their passport is held by the Immigration authority. It is not possible to work for the first 6 months after submission, afterwards, it is possible to obtain a work permit. Upon receiving international protection, the free access to the labour market is provided.  

Will I be able to extend my standard visa / residence permit in the Czech Republic?

Yes, it is possible to extend the visa / residence permit for standard purpose (e.g. blue card, employee card, family visa, entrepreneurship visa) following a standard extension process at the Immigration office. It is possible to submit the application for extension 120 days prior to the expiration date without presence at the Immigration office.

In view of the recent emergency situation, the operation and services of the Immigration offices of the Ministry of Interior are limited only to urgent agenda requiring personal attendance (i.e. applications of children born in the territory, first applications for residence permits, changes of the residence purposes, registrations after arrival, bridge visas). Other agenda (i.e. extension of visa/residence permit, reporting changes, submission of additional documents) should be dealt with and sent by registered mail.

This limitation also applies to the appointment-booking phone line. Reservation services through the aforementioned phone line are currently suspended, thus it is not possible to make any reservations via phone at the moment. For now, applications that require personal attendance can be submitted later and this later submission will be perceived as obstacle independent to the control of the respective applicant.

What if I have an EU relative living in the Czech Republic?

It is possible to apply for a temporary residence permit as a close or distant family member of an EU national.

More information:

Conditions of travel and residence of Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic

Умови в’їзду та проживання громадян України в Чехії

Jana Michálková   jmichalkova@deloittece.com

Adam Englund   adenglund@deloittece.com