This guide provides general information for incoming CZU students. Before applying or travelling, always verify the current requirements on the website of the Czech embassy responsible for your country and on the official Czech government websites. Embassy instructions take precedence over this guide.
1. Which immigration procedure applies to you?
Citizens of the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland may enter and study in Czechia without a visa or residence permit. Registration after arrival may still be required.
Depending on your nationality, you may need a short-term Schengen visa. Visa-exempt visitors must still respect the rule of 90 days in any 180-day period.
You normally need a Czech long-term visa or a long-term residence permit for the purpose of study. Visa-free entry alone is not sufficient.
Some holders of a study residence permit issued by another EU Member State may study in Czechia for up to one year without an additional Czech visa.
2. Long-term stay exceeding 90 days
Find the correct Czech diplomatic mission
Applications must normally be submitted to the Czech embassy or consulate with territorial responsibility for your country of citizenship or legal residence.
Read the local embassy website carefully. Appointment systems, territorial rules, document copies, fees and submission methods differ between diplomatic missions.
Request an appointment as early as possible
Waiting times for appointments are separate from the legal processing period. Start preparing immediately after receiving confirmation of your nomination or acceptance from CZU.
Applications are generally submitted in person. An interview and collection of fingerprints may form part of the procedure.
Wait for the documents issued by CZU
Depending on your application, CZU may provide documents confirming:
- acceptance or enrolment and the purpose of stay;
- accommodation, when arranged through CZU;
- the Erasmus+ grant or other financial support.
Check your name, passport number, dates and other personal details immediately after receiving the documents.
Prepare and legalise your supporting documents
Obtain all personal documents required by the embassy, including criminal-record certificates where applicable. Some documents may require an Apostille or superlegalisation and an official translation into Czech.
These procedures can take several weeks, so do not wait until the appointment has already been booked.
Submit a complete application
Bring the correct application form, originals, certified copies and the number of photocopies required by your embassy. Incomplete applications may be suspended while missing documents are supplied, substantially delaying the decision.
Wait for the decision and follow embassy instructions
The legal processing period for a complete study residence application is generally 60 days. This does not include the time spent waiting for an appointment, and the procedure can take longer if documents are incomplete or additional checks are required.
Do not purchase a non-refundable ticket before receiving the required visa or residence authorisation.
3. Typical long-term application documents
Use the official form for the precise type of visa or residence permit requested by the embassy. Complete it accurately and sign it where required.
Bring the original passport, copies of the identification page and normally two recent passport photographs. Check the passport-validity requirements of your embassy.
Usually an original CZU acceptance, enrolment or unified confirmation showing that the purpose of the stay is study or an eligible exchange programme.
An official accommodation confirmation, lease or another document accepted by the Czech authorities covering the required period.
This may be demonstrated through a scholarship or grant confirmation, bank funds, sponsorship or confirmation that an institution will cover the relevant expenses.
Applicants older than 15 generally submit a criminal-record certificate from their country of citizenship. Additional certificates may be requested for countries where the applicant previously lived.
For long-term study applications, proof is normally presented after approval and before the visa is issued. The policy must meet current Czech legal requirements.
The embassy may request an interview, proof of fee payment, parental consent for minors, additional copies or other documents based on the individual application.
- Supporting documents are generally required in Czech or with an official Czech translation.
- Foreign public documents may require an Apostille or superlegalisation.
- Supporting documents generally cannot be older than 180 days, except for documents such as a valid passport and a current photograph.
- Purpose-of-stay documents and certain other documents must be submitted in the original.
- Prepare copies of the complete application file and keep scanned copies for yourself.
4. Student Facilitation programme
Režim Student
The Czech Student Facilitation programme helps eligible students from selected countries obtain access to the visa or residence-application submission process. Students are included in the programme by their Czech university.
Participation does not guarantee approval, does not replace a complete application and does not allow CZU to influence the decision of the Ministry of the Interior.
CZU will inform eligible students when this procedure is available and what action is required from them.
5. Preparing for an embassy interview
- the full name of CZU and the faculty hosting you;
- the exact purpose and dates of your mobility;
- your study programme, courses or traineeship activities;
- where you will live in Czechia;
- how your stay and travel will be financed;
- why the mobility is relevant to your studies;
- your plans after the mobility ends.
6. Short stays of up to 90 days
The short-stay limit is 90 days within any rolling 180-day period. Arrival and departure days count, as do days spent in other Schengen countries before or after your stay at CZU.
Apply for a short-term Schengen visa for the purpose of study, educational exchange or study-related training. The Czech Republic should be your main destination.
You may not need a Schengen visa, but you must still meet the border-entry conditions and remain within the 90/180-day limit. Visa exemption does not permit a stay exceeding 90 days.
Include travel days and any tourism, transit or previous visits in the Schengen Area. Exceeding the limit can affect future travel and residence applications.
7. Applying for a Schengen study visa
Confirm territorial responsibility, appointment rules, visa centre arrangements and the local document list.
Applications may generally be submitted no earlier than six months and no later than 15 days before travel.
Submit the application, supporting documents, fee and fingerprints where required.
Standard processing is 15 calendar days. Individual cases may be extended to as many as 45 days.
8. Typical Schengen visa documents
- completed and signed Schengen visa application form;
- valid passport meeting the applicable validity rules;
- recent passport photograph;
- proof of payment of the visa fee, unless exempt;
- CZU invitation or acceptance confirmation;
- proof of accommodation for the entire stay;
- proof of sufficient financial means;
- travel itinerary or transport reservation;
- proof of intention to leave the Schengen Area;
- travel medical insurance valid throughout Schengen;
- fingerprints, unless an exemption applies;
- additional documents required by the local embassy.
9. Before purchasing travel
Avoid non-refundable flights before the required visa or residence authorisation has been issued.
Ensure that the visa validity, number of entries and permitted duration cover your complete itinerary.
Confirm that the passport remains valid for the period required by the embassy and border rules.
Send your confirmed arrival information and report any delay that may affect enrolment, accommodation or funding.
10. Registration after arrival
You must normally report your place of residence to the Foreign Police within three working days after arrival.
This is not necessary when the accommodation provider, such as a CZU dormitory, has completed the registration for you. Confirm this directly with the accommodation.
Holders of a D/VR entry visa must report to the relevant Ministry of the Interior office within the applicable deadline, currently 30 calendar days after arrival.
Follow the instructions concerning registration, biometrics and collection of the residence card.
When staying for more than 30 days, report your place of residence to the Foreign Police within 30 working days.
This obligation does not apply when the accommodation provider has already registered you.
Do not assume that registration was completed automatically. Keep proof of accommodation and ask the dormitory, hotel or landlord what has been reported.
11. During your stay
Remain enrolled and participate in the study or mobility activities for which your visa or permit was issued.
Visas and residence permits are not extended automatically. Start any extension procedure before the current authorisation expires.
Changes of address, passport, name or other relevant circumstances may have to be reported to the authorities.
Maintain the required health or travel medical insurance for the entire period of your authorised stay.
Keep copies of your passport, visa, residence card, insurance and CZU documents separately from the originals.
Before leaving Czechia, ensure that your visa or residence document permits re-entry and remains valid for the trip.
12. What assistance can CZU provide?
Acceptance and mobility documents, scholarship confirmation, CZU accommodation documents, explanation of the mobility and general procedural guidance.
Guarantee an appointment, approve a visa, shorten the official decision process, provide legal representation or overrule instructions issued by an embassy or ministry.
First check the website of the Czech embassy responsible for your application. For questions concerning CZU documents or your ICM mobility, contact the Central International Relations Office.