Learn about the key changes in Czech immigration law 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.
Ukraine and Highly Qualified Employees
Ukrainian citizens will be able to be included in the Key and Scientific Personnel Program and the Highly Qualified Employee Program if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Holds temporary protection or international protection in another EU member state or is an applicant for this protection, or
- Resides in the territory of Ukraine and is authorized to travel from the territory of Ukraine according to the applicable Ukrainian regulations, or
- Resides in another country on the basis of a long-term visa or a long-term or permanent residence permit.
A qualified employee may be included in the Program if they meet one of the following conditions:
- Holds temporary protection or international protection in another EU member state or is an applicant for this protection, or
- Resides in the territory of Ukraine and is authorized to travel from the territory of Ukraine according to the applicable Ukrainian regulations, or
- Resides in another country on the basis of a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit for a period of less than 2 years.
Adult unaccompanied children included in programs for highly skilled workers as immediate family members can no longer obtain a long-term visa for family purposes or a residence permit for the purpose of family coexistence. However, if they become dependent due to continuous preparation for a future job in the Czech Republic, they will now be able to apply together with their parents for the following types of residence permits: visa for more than 90 days for the purpose of study or for other purposes/long-term residence permit for the purpose of study.
Digital nomad program
The program is aimed at highly qualified and top IT professionals. The goal of the program is to respond to changing trends in the field of international mobility of employees and freelancers, especially in the IT sector, and to facilitate their settlement in the Czech Republic.
The program is intended for the citizens of: Australia, Japan, Canada, the Republic of Korea, New Zealand, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the United States of America, or Taiwan.
The program is intended for digital nomads:
• employees of a foreign company – an employee of a foreign company who will work for this company remotely for a long-term period from the Czech Republic. The foreign national remains in an employment relationship with their foreign company and does not enter into an employment relationship with the Czech employer.
• freelancers (self-employed) – a foreign national who is or will be a holder of a Czech business license.
The closest family members of digital nomads (spouse, registered partner or child) can also be included in the Program, provided they apply for a residence permit at the same time.
Digital nomads admitted to the Program are granted:
- an opportunity to submit their long-term visa/long-term residence permit application at the Embassy/consulate of the Czech Republic abroad. The same opportunity is given to their closest family members;
- processing their long-term visa/long-term residence permit application form within 45 days from its submission.
Long-term residence permit
A foreigner who has submitted an application for the issuance of a long-term residence permit is obliged to appear in person within 30 days from the day of entry into the Czech Republic to process the data necessary for the issuance of a residence permit. In the case of applications for long-term visas, the deadline is 3 working days.
Economic migration project
Participants in economic migration projects whose home states issue a certificate of integrity in the English language will now be able to use this document without an official translation into Czech, i.e. only in the original English version. The condition is that the original document is issued in English (a translation from another language of the original into English cannot be used) and that the certificate of integrity does not contain any record of criminal activity. The condition of document verification with an apostille or superlegalization remains in place.
Pilot project
The Government has approved a new project which is to support the training of pilots from third countries in the Czech Republic.
The Pilot project guarantees foreigners from some countries outside the EU the right to apply for a residence permit at the Embassy of the Czech Republic for the purpose of flight training. The annual capacity will be 200 applications for a visa to stay over 90 days for the “other purposes”. It will apply to citizens of: Armenia, Azerbaijan, China, Philippines, Ghana, Georgia, India, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Kenya, Malaysia, Maldives, Nigeria, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Ukraine or Vietnam.
You can find more information and forms to download here.
For immigration and relocation support of your employees, contact us here.
