One-year Visa-free Stay for Holders of a Long-term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Studies Issued by Another EU Member State
Holders of a valid long-term residence permit or a long-term visa for the purpose of studies issued by another EU Member State can, subject to conditions, stay in the Czech Republic without a visa for as long as 1 year from their first entrance into the country.
Who is this type of visa-free stay intended for?
This type of visa-free stay is intended for you if you meet the following conditions:
- You hold a valid long-term visa or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies issued by another EU Member State. It does not apply to residence permits issued by Ireland and Denmark.
- The permit was issued under an exchange programme including mobility programmes (e.g. ERASMUS) or under agreements between universities. There must be a note about the exchange programme in your residence permit document or visa.
- In the Czech Republic, you will be studying at a university, so the purpose of your residence will be studies.
What are your obligations?
- You must get registered with the Foreign Police within 3 days from the day you arrived in the Czech Republic.
- During the whole stay, you must have a valid residence permit or a long-term visa issued by another EU Member State. If this residence permit or visa expires, your entitlement to stay in the Czech Republic on a visa-free basis expires too.
- The university that accepted you for studies must notify the Ministry of the Interior about the start, suspension or termination of your studies.
What are your options?
- During the whole stay, you have free access to the labour market, meaning that you can work without limitations.
- Whenever during your legal stay, you can file an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in the Czech Republic at a Ministry of the Interior office.