Applications for Visa to the Czech Republic

Citizens of the following countries, traveling to the Czech Republic /CR/ for tourist or social purpose, do not need a Czech visa for a stay of max. 30 days (for some countries longer; please check with our Embassy):

Andorra, Argentina, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, The Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Rep. of Korea, Uruguay, USA, United Kingdom, Vatican.

Visa is also not required for the holders of UN and EC (Schengen) passports. It is recommended that the holders of passports from these countries have travel document /passport/ validity of which exceeds the period of time they intend to spend in the Czech Republic for at least 90 days - otherwise the entry into the Czech Republic can be denied at the border crossing by the Aliens and Border Police. It is within the discretion of the Police to make a decision on denial of the entry. Registration, within 30 day deadline, with the Czech authorities is required only if length of any single stay exceeds 30 days.

Proof of sufficient funds for covering your expenditures during your stay in the Czech Republic might be required by immigration officer upon arrival (in case of stay in the Czech Republic up to 30 days 1100.00 Czech Crowns per day/for foreigner are required; for children under 18 years of age, half of the amount is required; if you intend to stay longer 32 850.00 Czech Crowns per month/for foreigner are required - for more details contact our Consulate) - travel cheques, internationally accepted credit cards, travel agency vouchers, valid official invitations for visit with signatures authenticated by Czech Foreign Police office, or cash in Czech or any other freely convertible foreign currency are all accepted for this purpose.

Proof of cover of costs of a departure from the Czech Republic might be also requested by the immigration officer at the border crossing (you can show your air ticket, railway ticket, internationally accepted credit card, own bank account statement if you can dispose of the account in the Czech Republic or sufficient amount of cash). You can be also asked by the immigration officer for proving your accommodation while in the Czech Republic, for a valid visa of the country of your destination or for a valid visa of the next country you will be traveling to from the Czech Republic, if needed, for a proof of health/medical insurance covering injury and medical emergency expenses during your stay in the Czech Republic, incl. transportation of a patient and repatriation of a body to the country of origin.

More detailed information for foreigners visiting the Czech Republic is available upon the request at our office.

 Information about visas

Depending on the type of visa, this information is divided into the following sections:

1. Visa for stay up to 90 days
2. Transit visa
3. Airport visa

1. VISA FOR STAY UP TO 90 DAYS

Requirements:

When applying for a visa, the following must be enclosed with your visa application:

1) original visa application - first three pages of the form must be filled out completely (with ballpoint pen or by typewriter, do not use red ink) and applicant's signature is required;

2) original travel document valid for at least 90 days beyond the expiration date of the requested visas;

3) one photograph glued (please do not staple) to the upper part of the first page of the application;

4) a stamped, self-addressed envelope with postage stamps for certified mail if you want to have the visa returned by mail; if you want us to mail your documents overnight, please provide us with a stamped self-addressed envelope for Express Mail.

5) The visa officer may also ask for documents such as confirmation of accomodation or documents proving the applicantŽs possession of sufficient funds to cover his living expenses in the Czech Republic. (E.g. in case of longer stay a recent bank statement or a letter from your host or sponsor in the Czech Republic confirming that he/she will support you during your visit and evidence that he/she can do so). You may be asked for the same by the Czech immigration officer at the border crossing.

6) copy of a valid airplane ticket to and from the Czech Republic with specified dates (not an open one).

The processing time is approximately 7-10 days for mailed-in applications, assuming all the aforesaid requirements have been met. Visa applications presented in person are processed in approximately 5 days.

THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATION FORM IS COMPUTERIZED. IF THE FORM IS NOT COMPLETED LEGIBLY AND FULLY, YOU RISK YOUR VISA MAY BE DELAYED OR THE APPLICATION NOT PROCESSED AT ALL.

If you wish to apply by post you should first send your request for an application. It has to be an original one, not a copy. When ordering the application form by mail, do not forget to indicate your nationality and send self- addressed and prepaid envelope - size A 4. (The form cannot be sent to you by fax). After the completion and signing of the form send it together with all the required documents and a self addressed and prepaid Special Delivery envelope by Special Delivery post to the above address.

Please note:

- the Visa Office may always request additional documents and/or information before issuing the visa, therefore always include your home or office telephone number !

- in some cases the decision making process can take up to 30 days. The Embassy can not guarantee issuance of any visa. The decision is final and irrevocable.

- no visa can be obtained at the border or at the airports !

- the maximum length of an individual stay in the Czech Republic based on a visa is 90 days. The visa may be used at any time within 6 months from the date of issue.

- no vaccination certificates are required unless coming from an infected area.

- imports and exports: personal effects brought into the Czech Republic for use during a visit are not subject to import duty. Import of gifts is permitted without duty and VAT if the quantity and value do not exceed 6000,- Crowns. Please pay attention to the customs information on exports available upon arrival at border crossing points.

- bearers of Czech tourist visas must register at any Czech Immigration Police Station within 3 days after arrival in the Czech Republic. Visitors staying in hotels are registered automatically.

There is no visa fee for children under 15 years of age.

1.1. Single entry A single entry visa for a period of stay not exceeding 90 days.

1.2. Multiple entry A multiple entry visa for a period of stay not exceeding 90 days.

2. TRANSIT VISA

This type of visa is used for transit through the territory of the Czech Republic. The transit visa is valid up to 180 days and the requirements are basically the same as for a visa for period up to 90 days. In addition, the applicant must have in his/her passport a valid visa to enter the country of final destination and/or all other transit countries. The time-limit for one transit is 5 days.

2.1. Single entry transit visa This type of visa allows one to enter once and travel through the Czech Republic. The maximum length of the stay is 5 days.

2.2. Double entry transit visa This type of visa allows double transit through the Czech Republic. The maximum length of each stay is 5 days.

2.3. Multiple entry transit visa This type of visa allows multiple transit through teritory of the Czech Republic. The maximum length of each stay is 5 days. All visitors who enter the Czech Republic may be requested by the Czech Immigration officer at the border crossing point to present either at least 1,100 Czech Crowns (CZK) per day for a stay up to 30 days or at least 39 000 CZK per one month of supposed stay in the Czech Republic. The minimum amounts of money for visitors younger than 18 years are stipulated as a half of the aforesaid amounts. The amount can be presented either in Czech Crowns or in other convertible currencies. Instead of the above mentioned amounts, the visitors may submit their valid credit cards.

Instead of the above mentioned amounts the visitors may submit:

- an invitation verified by the Czech Immigration Police or

- a document confirming that a visitor is participating in a tour or 

- a document confirming that a visitor has prepaid all expenses for the stay and departure from the Czech Republic (voucher of a travel agency or spa, credit card, round-trip ticket) 

- a document confirming that a visitor has valid medical insurance for the stay in the Czech Republic

- a document confirming that a visitor has assured accomodation in the Czech Republic 

- in case of transit through the territory of the Czech Republic the visitor must possess valid visa to enter the country of final destination and/or all other transit countries.

The above mentioned amounts or documents are requested by the Czech Immigration Police by exception rather than on a regular basis.

3. AIRPORT VISA

Citizens of the following countries can enter and stay in transit at the international airport in the Czech Republic only with a valid airport visa issued by the Embassy of the Czech Republic abroad:

Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iraq, Iran, Kongo, Nigeria, Pakistan, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Syria

      This requirement does not apply to citizens of the above countries who:

a) hold a VALID RESIDENCE VISA/PERMIT of any EU country, Norway, Island, Switzerland, USA and Canada,

b) travel DIRECTLY from one of the countries listed under a) holding a document proving they had a valid residence visa/permit before their departure,

c) are holders of diplomatic, service, official or special passport.

Visa fees in USD (valid for MARCH 2002)

Number of entries	One	Two	Multiple (Unlimited)
Type of visa
Transit	35	53	132
Tourist	35	N/A	132
Airport visa	35	53	N/A

Special rates apply for holders of the following passports:

 Afghanistan, Albania, Australia, Belarus, Bolivia, Brazil, China, Canada, Colombia, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ecuador, Ethiopia, Georgia, Guatemala, Guinea, Hong Kong - China, India, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Kuwait, Libya, Macao - China, Maldives, Mauritius, Moldavia,Mongolia, Nepal, Nigeria, Pakistan, Russia, Taiwan - China, Turkey, Seychelles, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, Venezuela, Vietnam - please ask for rates.

There are no visas issued free of charge. The visa fees may change without prior notice.