Learn about the key changes in the governmental economic migration programs that could affect your company and employees. Several changes concern Ukrainian citizens. We’ve summarized the original report from the Ministry of Industry and Trade which you can find here.
Read our summary of the most significant changes in the Act on Residence of Foreigners, valid from 1. 7. 2023.
UK citizens who’ve been living in the Czech Republic since before January 2021 must exchange their permit for a biometric card by August 31st 2022.
If you don’t have a biometric card already, we recommend starting the process ASAP to avoid delays and long waiting times.
Not applying for the biometric card before the upcoming August deadline may result in delays or refusal of Czech state services. It may also make travelling within and into the Schengen area more difficult.
Contact us today to get assistance with your biometric card process. We will book your appointments at the Ministry of Interior and accompany you to data collection to avoid language barriers and confusion.
Process steps
– case assessment
– Ministry of Interior (MOI) appointment booking (currently the earliest appointments are in early August!)
– MOI accompanied appointment to collect biometric data
– MOI accompanied appointment to collect the biometric card
UPDATE 30.3.2022
Russian and Belarusian citizens who have already received their entry visa (with the intention of obtaining an employee/blue card) before the start of the conflict in Ukraine, can now finish the process at the Ministry of the Interior.
Find more information here.
Original article from the Ministry of Industry and Trade here.
Here you can find the latest citizenship and visa updates from the Czech Ministry of the Interior regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Read the original article in Czech and Ukrainian here.
Citizens of Ukraine who hold a valid biometric passport can stay in the Czech Republic for a period of 90 days without a visa. It is only necessary to register with the Foreign Police within 30 days, unless their accommodation provider registers them instead. To stay in the Czech Republic and participate in everyday life, it is possible to apply for temporary protection.
From March 22nd the so-called special long-term visa for citizens of Ukraine will no longer be issued in the simplified regime. The so-called Lex Ukraine act has come into force and establishes temporary protection for citizens of Ukraine fleeing armed conflict from Ukraine.
For further details and instructions please read the original article available in Czech, English and Ukrainian.
As of 21.3. all Ukrainian immigrants with the special long-term visa (read how to obtain it below) may enter the Czech labour market and apply for jobs freely. It is then the employer’s duty to announce the new employee to the Labour office. Foreigners who have obtained this long-term visa are eligible for a one-time humanitarian benefit of CZK 5 000. In order to receive the benefit, they must have a Czech bank account. Ukrainian refugees may apply for this benefit here.
Those who have a Czech bank account and have received the humanitarian benefit do not have to submit any further documentation to the Labour office. Without a Czech bank account, the foreigner must show their passport and long-term visa to enter the labour market. Immigrants who have received the humanitarian benefit and do not have enough funds to secure basic needs (food, medicine, clothes, etc.) may apply for a second benefit here.
Employers who wish to offer job vacancies to Ukrainian refugees should directly contact the director of the relevant Labour office. Find the full list of contacts here.
Find the original article and a Ukrainian version here.
All information valid on 9.3.2022 and subject to change. Available in English, Czech and Ukrainian.
Czech Immigration Overview for Ukrainian Citizens
ReloCare Přehled pro imigrující občany Ukrajiny
Огляд чеської імміграції для громадян України
For any immigration queries related to the conflict in Ukraine, we are now offering free consultations with our immigration expert Kristýna Richtrová. We kindly ask you to search for answers to your questions in the documents above before contacting us.
Our consultant Kristýna Richtrová is available for these consultations every working day from 9AM – 5PM at +420 608 874 860.
Update 9.3.2022
ALL necessary registrations and applications for Ukrainian refugees can now be done at the Prague Congress centre at Vyšehrad.
Address: 5. května 65, Praha 4, entrance 10 (metro C Vyšehrad station)
Open every day, non-stop
*ALL necessary registrations and applications for Ukrainian refugees can now be done at the Prague Congress centre at Vyšehrad.
Address: 5. května 65, Praha 4, entrance 10 (metro C Vyšehrad station)
Open every day, non-stop
Olšanská 2176/2 130 51, Praha 3
Mon + Wed – 08:00 – 17:00
Tue + Thu – 08:00 – 15:00
Fri, Sat, Sun – closed
+420 974 820 229
Special opening hours for Ukrainian citizens
Offices and opening hours across the Czech Republic
+420 974 801 802, ukrajina@mvcr.cz
Opening hours and addresses across the Czech Republic
+420 800 779 900, callcentrum@uradprace.cz
+420 226 20 1221 – select option 8
+420 233 006 311, info@pvzp.cz
Updates to the Czech Immigration Act will come into force in August. At ReloCare, we have listed the most important changes that will be made to the law and how they will affect people moving to the Czech Republic. You can find this summary below.
As of 2. 8. 2021, the Certificate of Temporary Residence provided to EU members will be replaced by the Certificate of Registration. Its form is not yet known. It will however be issued with a 10-year validity.
Certificates of Temporary Residence that have already been issued do not need to be changed.
A fee of CZK 200, which will be paid in the form of stamps, will now be required for the following types of application:
A new distinction is made between close and distant family members. A close family member is, for example, a spouse, parent or descendant under the conditions of § 15a(1) and (2). A distant family member is, for example, a permanent partner, household member or dependent under § 15a(3).
As of 2. 8. 2021, it is possible to request the exchange of the Certificate of Temporary Residence and the Certificate of Permanent Residence for a Biometric Card. Family members of UK citizens must also replace their existing form of Residence.
UK citizens who legally resided in the Czech Republic before 31. 12. 2020 can continue to apply for a Certificate of Registration. However, note that this document will only be issued with a validity of 5 years.
From 2. 8. 2021, travel health insurance for foreigners in the scope of comprehensive healthcare will be arranged exclusively with the VZP, a.s. insurance company.
The obligation does not apply to:
Foreigners who arrived in the Czech Republic no later than 1. 8. 2021 or who are already residing in the Czech Republic on the basis of a long-term visa or long-term residence permit and who have secured insurance according to the conditions valid until 1. 8. 2021, will not be required to conclude a new insurance contract with VZP, a.s. insurance company for the duration of their current residence permit.
Up-to-date information can always be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic.
If you are a foreigner moving to the Czech Republic or an employer who is going to relocate foreign employees to the Czech Republic and you need any advice regarding the amendments to the Immigration Act, please do not hesitate to contact us at 608 874 860.{:}{:cz}Od srpna nás čekají aktualizace v českém zákoně o pobytu cizinců. V ReloCare jsme ze zákona vypsali nejdůležitější změny, o které půjde, a jaký budou mít dopad na osoby, které se stěhují do České republiky. Přehledný výpis najdete níže.
Od 2. 8. 2021 Potvrzení o přechodném pobytu pro členy EU nahradí Osvědčení o registraci. Jeho podoba zatím není známá, nicméně se bude rovněž vydávat s 10letou platností.
Potvrzení o přechodném pobytu, která již byla vydána, není nutno měnit.
Poplatek ve výši 200 Kč, který bude hrazen formou kolků, bude nově vyžadován pro následující typ žádostí:
Nově se rodinný příslušník rozlišuje na blízkého a vzdáleného. Blízkým rodinným příslušníkem je například manžel, rodič nebo potomek za podmínek dle § 15a odst. 1 a 2. Vzdáleným rodinným příslušníkem je potom např. trvalý partner, člen domácnosti nebo vyživovaná osoba dle § 15a odst. 3.
Od 2. 8. 2021 lze zažádat o výměnu Potvrzení o přechodném pobytu a Trvalého pobytu za biometrickou kartu. Dosavadní formu pobytu musí vyměnit i rodinní příslušníci občanů Velké Británie.
Občané Velké Británie, kteří oprávněně v ČR pobývali před 31. 12. 2020, mohou i nadále žádat o Osvědčení o registraci. To však bude vydáno pouze s platností 5 let.
Cestovní zdravotní pojištění pro cizince v rozsahu komplexní zdravotní péče bude moci od 2. 8. 2021 být sjednáno výhradně s Pojišťovnou VZP, a.s.
Povinnost neplatí pro:
Cizinci, kteří na území ČR přicestovali nejpozději dne 1. 8. 2021 nebo na území ČR již pobývají na základě dlouhodobého víza nebo povolení k dlouhodobému pobytu a zajistili si pojištění dle podmínek platných do 1. 8. 2021, nebudou muset po dobu platnosti svého stávajícího pobytového oprávnění uzavírat novou pojistnou smlouvu s Pojišťovnou VZP, a.s.
Aktuální informace můžete vždy nalézt na stránkách Ministerstva Vnitra ČR.
Pokud jste cizinec stěhující se do ČR nebo jste zaměstnavatel, který se chystá do ČR relokovat zahraniční zaměstnance, a potřebujete ohledně novely zákona o pobytu cizinců s něčím poradit, neváhejte nás kontaktovat na čísle 608 874 860.{:}
British and living in the Czech Republic?
Please be informed that certain foreigners and their families are obliged to exchange their pre-Brexit residence permits for a new Biometric Card.
The amendment concerns UK nationals and their family members.
The process of obtaining a Biometric Card must be initiated no later than 31 August 2022. However, applying early will avoid high demand for appointment dates.
BIOMETRIC CARD IS A PLASTIC CARD CONTAINING YOUR PHOTO AND FINGERPRINTS DATA.
How can ReloCare support you or your UK employees?
Obtaining a Biometric Card requires two appointments at the Ministry of Interior.
Our support includes:
• Booking both appointments at the Ministry of the Interior for you
• Accompanying you to the Ministry of the Interior when applying
• Accompanying you to the Ministry of the Interior for the card collection
• (If needed) Providing a card photo to HR once the process is completed
Contact us to get our support.
Send us a message at kristyna@relocare.cz or call +420 608 874 860 to get a quote.
Every foreign national who, as of 1 January 2021, is issued a long-term residence permit for the territory of the Czech Republic, and also every foreign national who is issued a permanent residence permit after this date without the precondition of previous authorised stay in the territory is obliged to take the adaptation and integration course within one year of the date of collecting their residence permit.
This is a course during which foreign nationals will be acquainted with the rights and obligations connected with their stay in the territory of the Czech Republic, with the fundamental values of the Czech Republic, with everyday life, culture and customs prevailing in the Czech Republic. Course participants will also be provided information on organisations and institutions that provide advisory services to foreign nationals free of charge. For details, go to: http://www.vitejtevcr.cz/en/
The obligation to take the adaptation and integration
course applies to every foreign national who has been issued a long-term residence permit for the territory pursuant to § 42 or § 45 of Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and on amendment to certain acts, as amended, and also applies to every foreign national who is issued a long-term residence permit for the territory pursuant to § 66 or § 67 of this Act.
Specifically, the course must be taken and completed by every foreign national who has been issued:
Foreign nationals who have already taken this course or who have been issued a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit pursuant to § 66 or § 67 before 1 January 2021 are not obliged to take the adaptation and integration course, under condition that their permit was valid as at 1 January 2021. The obligation to take the adaptation and integration course does not apply also to foreign nationals residing in the territory of the Czech Republic on the basis of:
EU nationals and their family memebrers do not have to go through the course. The obligation to take the adaptation and integration course furthermore does not apply to foreign nationals under 15 years of age on the date of legal effect of the decision to issue their residence permit, or to foreign nationals 61 years of age or over on that date. Nor will holders of employee cards and blue cards issued under the Highly Qualified Employee and Key and Scientific Personnel governmental programmes be required to take adaptation and integration courses.
Adaptation and integration courses are administered by Centres for Support of Integration of Foreign Nationals
(http://www.integracnicentra.cz). There are eighteen such centres in the Czech Republic and it is up to the
foreign national to choose which centre to take the course at. The course may be also organised by a different legal entity cooperating with a Centre for Support of Integration of Foreign Nationals. Taking a course that is neither directly organised nor administered by a Foreign National Integration Support Centre established pursuant to § 155a of Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and on amendment to certain acts, as amended, will not be recognised as satisfaction of the obligation.
The adaptation and integration course last four hours.
A foreign nationals to whom the obligation to take the adaptation and integration course applies must take this course at latest within one year of the date of collecting their residence permit, or more precisely, within one year of the date of legal effect of the decision to issue their residence permit.
Adaptation and integration courses are divided into courses intended for the public and courses not intended for the public. Courses intended for the public may be attended by every foreign national who:
Courses not intended for the public take place on the basis of orders from legal entities in cooperation with a particular Foreign National Integration Support Centre. Again this requires registration via the portal https://frs.gov.cz – then the necessary steps involving payment, organisation and course attendance of foreign nationals are organised by the legal entity itself. Payment for such courses is not made directly to the state!
Updated information concerning the type of course, the dates on which they are to held and the language into which they will be interpreted will be made available to the foreign national after payment of the amount payable for courses for the public, or payment directly to the legal entity in the case of courses not intended for the public.
The foreign national must report on the date and time at which and at the place where the course will be held, present their residence permit
(ePKP) and confirm their attendance by signing the attendance sheet. The foreign national must attend for the entire duration of the course. There is no exam or test at the end of the course.
After attending the course the foreign national receives an attendance certificate.
Failure to satisfy the obligation of taking the adaptation and integration course within one year of the foreign national collecting their residence permit is an offence which carries a fine of up to CZK 10,000.
Official information to be found on https://www.mvcr.cz/clanek/adaptacne-integracni-kurzy.aspx
Expected: British citizens will be entitled to receive equal immigration benefits as EU members.
The transition period, which will guarantee the EU status, is expected until 31 December 2020. After the transition period, UK nationals will be treated as non-EU nationals.
Expected: British citizens will carry Non-EU immigration status and will be required to obtain Non-EU permits in accordance with the law. Process length: 4–6 months for employees, 4–8 months for other permits.
Impact for non-permit holders: All UK citizens without a Temporary Resident Permit or Permanent Residency will be required to leave the Schengen Area and apply for a relevant permit/visa in the existent non-EU immigration scheme at a Czech Embassy abroad.
Impact for permit holders: UK citizens who hold valid EU permits will be allowed to stay in the Czech Republic until 31 December 2020, during which period they will be obliged to exchange their EU permits for the relevant permit/visa in the existent non-EU immigration scheme at the Ministry of the Interior in the Czech Republic. Note that the same applies for UK citizens who have at least applied for one of the permits before the Brexit date.
What you need to know about a Temporary Residence Permit and Permanent Residency
All holders of UK passport, including children of all ages, should immediately apply for one of the permits.
For more information and clarification please contact:
Kristýna Richtrová
Head of Immigration
kristyna@relocare.cz
+420 608 874 860
