Changes in the Act on Residence of Foreigners
Read our summary of the most significant changes in the Act on Residence of Foreigners, valid from 1. 7. 2023.
Immigration updates for Russian and Belarusian citizens
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.
Immigration overview for Ukrainian citizens in the Czech Republic
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.
UPDATE 22. 3. 2022
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.
UPDATE 21. 3. 2022
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.
Download our Czech Immigration Overview for Ukrainian Citizens
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
ARRIVAL
- With a biometric passport, no visa needed.
- May stay in Czech territory for 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. It is recommended to obtain health insurance that covers the entire stay. Most popular health insurance providers are Slavia, Axa, Maxima, PVZP.
- Within three days of entering Czech territory all foreigners must register at the Foreign Police* in the relevant city. If staying at a hotel, Airbnb, hostel or any other tourist accommodation facility, the owner of such facility is responsible for this registration. We recommend to check it was done.
- All Ukrainian citizens staying in the Czech Republic without a visa, or with a visa or residence permit expiring in the next 14 days, are required to apply for a special long-term visa in person at the OAMP* (Department of Asylum and Migration Policy at The Ministry of the Interior).
- All Covid-19 travel restrictions have been cancelled for Ukrainian citizens.
FOREIGN POLICE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
- Original passport or ID card
- Address of accommodation
- Health insurance confirmation (optional)
- Register at the FP office in person*
LONG-TERM VISA APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Filled in form
- Original passport-size photo (45x35mm)
- Original passport or travel document
- In-person application at the OAMP*
LONG-TERM VISA PROCESSING
- The visa is processed and issued on the spot.
- Validity: 1 year. This may change as the situation develops.
- Number of entries: 0. The visa applicant may not travel outside the Czech Republic otherwise they will not be let back in.
HEALTH INSURANCE
- The long-term visa grants Ukrainian citizens free health insurance by VZP.
- Once the visa is approved, the citizen must come to any VZP office (with original passport) to obtain the free insurance card.
LEGAL EMPLOYMENT IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC
- Ukrainian citizens can work in the Czech Republic once they obtain the long-term visa and a work permit. The permit is issued at the Labour office.
- The Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs is currently negotiating to grant an exception to allow Ukrainian citizens to work immediately without any further permissions.
WORK PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
- Vacancy form filled and submitted by the employer
- Application form – (online version)
- Passport copy
- Work contract
- In-person application at the Labour office*
CONTACT DETAILS
*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
Foreign Police
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
OAMP – Department of Asylum and Migration Policy at The Ministry of the Interior
Special opening hours for Ukrainian citizens
Offices and opening hours across the Czech Republic
+420 974 801 802, ukrajina@mvcr.cz
Labour office
Opening hours and addresses across the Czech Republic
+420 800 779 900, callcentrum@uradprace.cz
Health Ministry Ukrainian phone line
+420 226 20 1221 – select option 8
VZP health insurance
+420 233 006 311, info@pvzp.cz