Volunteer in Czechia

A long-term residence permit for the purpose of study (voluntary service)

In general, the application for issuing the long-term residence permit for this purpose can be lodged at the Embassy of Czechia abroad. A third-country citizen has to meet the same conditions for lodging the application at the Embassy as mentioned above.

However, a third-country national is entitled to lodge this application in the territory of Czechia at the office of the Ministry of the Interior as well, if he/she has been already residing in the territory based on a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit issued for another purpose. The application for a long-term residence permit has to be submitted in person.

In the case a third-country national has been residing in the territory based on a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit issued for another purpose, he/she is entitled to lodge the application until the very end of validity of such residence permit.

The application has to be filed in an appropriate form. Submission of the application for the long-term residence permit is charged with the administrative fee. This administrative fee is equal to 2 500 CZK and has to be paid in the form of a revenue stamp(s) if the application is lodged in the territory of Czechia. In the case the application is lodged at the Embassy abroad, this fee is generally paid in the foreign currency.

According to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the territory of Czechia, a standard deadline for processing the application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies is 60 days from the day the application was lodged.

If the application has been lodged at the Embassy of Czechia abroad and if it has been approved, a third-country national is obliged to present a proof of medical travel insurance. Moreover, a third-country national is obliged to submit a proof of payment of the insurance premium upon request. If the application was lodged in the territory of Czechia, a third-country citizen is obliged to submit this proof right away (at the moment of submission of the application).

Upon arrival in Czechia, a third-country national has to visit an appropriate office of the Ministry of the Interior in person to provide biometric data that are necessary for the production of a residence card. The residence card will then be issued at latest within 60 days.

To obtain a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies (voluntary service), a third-country citizen must submit:

• a valid travel document;
• a document confirming availability of accommodation;
• a photograph showing the current appearance of the applicant;
• sufficient financial means;
• if required, an extract from the Penal Registry record and
  a document proving that he/she fulfilled the conditions set out by the interim measures of the Ministry of Health of Czechia on the prevention of the spread of infectious diseases;
• an agreement with a host entity that meets the conditions stated by the Law.

Originals or other officially authenticated copies of all of the attached documents must be submitted. Travel documents must be submitted in original. All submitted documents in foreign languages must be submitted in their original version and with an officially certified translation into the Czech language. The required attachments to the applications must not be older than 180 days, except for travel documents and the photograph of the third-country national, provided that corresponds to his/her current appearance.

The agreement with a host entity shall contain:

• a description of the voluntary service;
• the duration of the voluntary service;
• the placement and supervision conditions of the voluntary service;
• the volunteering hours;
• the resources available to cover an applicant´s subsistence and accommodation cost and a minimum sum of money as pocket money throughout the stay;
• in case of volunteering service a proof confirming a host entity ensured a professional liability insurance.

The validity of the long-term residence permit can be repeatedly extended, provided principally that the same conditions applicable to the issue of a permit are met. The validity of this residence permit can be extended for a period stated in the document confirming the purpose of stay in the territory of Czechia, however, for a period not longer than 2 years.

The application for an extension has to be lodged in the territory of Czechia at the office of the Ministry of the Interior. A third-country citizen is entitled to lodge this application before the expiration of the validity of the previous residence permit at the latest, but not sooner than 120 days before the expiration of its validity.

Detailed information about an extension of a long-term residence permit

Detailed information about a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies

Information for school and students

Change of status

A third-country national who is a holder of the long-term residence permit in the territory of Czechia and who intends to reside in the territory for another purpose than the one that he/she was granted the permit is obliged to apply to the Ministry of the Interior for a new long-term residence permit.

Detailed information about the change of the purpose of residence