Time Limits

A time limit is a period of time within which you can exercise a right or you must fulfil an obligation you have. A time limit is most often calculated in days. If the last day of a time limit falls on a Saturday, Sunday or bank holiday, the time limit will end on the closest following working day.  If there is a doubt concerning time-limit compliance, the time limit is considered to be complied with until the contrary is proven.

Time limits you as a foreigner must comply with

Time limits are stipulated by law –⁠ for example, the time limits for application submissions, notification of changes and appeals. Time limits can also be set by an administrative authority – for instance, time limits for adding documents to an application or remedies of errors; they are most frequently set in the form of a notification.

How is a time limit set in a notification counted?

A time limit set in a notification starts to run a day after the notification was collected.

Can a time limit be extended?

If the time limit was set by the Ministry in a notification, you can apply for an extension in person at a Ministry of the Interior office, send it by post, Data Box or by e-mail with an advanced electronic signature, or you can submit it through an authorised representative.

You can only apply for an extension before the time limit expires. If you decide to send an application for extension by post, do so in good time. The posting date, if you send the documents by post, or the sending date, if you send the documents by Data Box or e-mail, are essential for complying with the given time limit.

Time limits the Ministry must comply with

The time limits within which the Ministry must decide on residence permit applications are laid down in the Foreigners Act and, if applicable, in the Administrative Procedure Code.

If the proceedings are suspended or if there is a legal reason for it, the time limit stops running. It so happens on the first day on which a reason for suspension of the proceedings arose.  At the same time, the time limit for decision-making shall not end sooner than 15 days from the day on which the suspension of the proceedings ended. This applies also in the case that the proceedings were suspended at the moment when the remaining time limit for decision making was less than 15 days.

What are the basic time limits for decision making?

Type of application Filed at a Diplomatic Mission office Filed in person in the Czech Republic Applying in Czechia by post Applying in Czechia by Data Box or e-mail with an advanced electronic signature Legal source
Visa for a stay exceeding 90 days Within 15 days of the application filing date x x x Art. 23 Visa Code
Visa for a stay succeeding 90 days 90–120 days of the application filing date x x x § 169t Art. 2 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Visa for a stay succeeding 90 days, studies, teaching and scientific research purpose,  seasonal employment 60 days of the application filing date x x x § 169t Art. 2 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of visa validity and of visa for a residence permit exceeding 90 days   x 14 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 4 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for a resident of another EU member state 120 days of the application filing date 120 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 a) point 5. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit family reunification 270 days of the application filing date 270 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 a) point 6. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit scientific research, family member of scientific research worker 60 days of the application filing date 60 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 a) point 2. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Blue card 90 days of the application filing date 90 days of the application filing date; if you are holder of a blue card issued by another member state and apply for a blue card in the Czech Republic, the limit is 30 days, 60 days in particularly complex cases x x § 169t Art. 6 e) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for a blue card domestic partner, or for the purpose of investment  90 days of the application filing date 90 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 a) point 4. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Employee card 60 days of the application filing date; 90 days of the application filing date in highly complex cases or, when the Ministry of the Interior asked for a binding opinion of the Labour Office 60 days of the application filing date; 90 days of the application filing date in highly complex cases or, when the Ministry of the Interior asked for a binding opinion of the Labour Office x x § 169t Art. 6 d) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit applied for within the Czech Republic x 60 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 a) point 1. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of a long-term residence permit for the same purpose x 60 days of the application filing date  60 days of delivery to the Ministry of the Interior 60 days of delivery to the Ministry of the Interior § 169t Art. 6 i) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Registration Certificate of temporary residence of an EU x 30 days of the application filing date 30 days of delivery to the Ministry of the Interior 30 days of the application filing date § 71 Law no. 500/2004 Coll.
Temporary residence permit of an EU citizen family member x 60 days of the application filing date 60 days of delivery to the Ministry of the Interior 60 days of the application filing date § 169t Art. 6 g) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Permanent residence permit 180 days of the application filing date 60 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 6 h) points 1., 2., 3. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of a long-term residence permit for the purpose of protection x 30 days of the application filing date x x § 169t Art. 4 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.