Czech Republic Visa: How to Apply

NAME: Axel Strauss
DATE: 03/01/2025

Located simultaneously in Eastern and Central Europe, the Czech Republic — aka Czechia — welcomes dozens of millions of international visitors annually. And it’s no wonder why. The country is also simultaneously home to the largest castle (aka Prague Castle), the oldest astronomical clock (aka Prague Orloj), and the most beer consumed (roughly 160 liters annually per capita) in the world. As well as Franz Kafka, contact lenses, and the term “robot” — among many other wonderful things.

In other words, from its stunning natural and man-made beauty to its vibrant history, culture, art scene, and nightlife, Czechia has plenty to discover for every type of traveler. However, if you too are planning a visit to the Bohemian Crown of Europe, you might need a Czech Republic Schengen visa first. And, if so — AXA’s comprehensive guide below has all you need to know.

• Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?
• What are the requirements for a Czech visa?
• Where, when, and how should I apply for a Czech visa?
• What about ETIAS and EES?
• How else can AXA help?

Do I need a visa to visit the Czech Republic?

Again, you might. And whether you do depends on your original home. Because as one of the dozens of Europe’s Schengen Zone countries, Czechia requires most non-Schengen (and/or non-European Union) travelers to have a Schengen visa to cross its borders.

Which travelers are required to apply for a visa for Czechia?

For example, you will need a Czech Republic Schengen visa if you hold a passport from any country that has not signed a visa waiver agreement with the EU. And this generally applies to citizens of over a hundred nations worldwide — including any African country, most Asian and Middle Eastern ones, China, India, Russia, and so on.

PRO-TIPS: The European Commission provides full lists of countries that are exempt from and those that do need a visa. And AXA can also tell you who needs a Schengen visa — including for the Czech Republic — in no time too.

Which travelers don’t need a Schengen visa to come to Czechia (for stays of less than 90 days)?

You don’t need a Schengen visa for the Czech Republic, on the other hand, only if you are:
- A national of the Schengen area and/or the European Union*;

- A citizen of one of the non-EU countries and territories that have signed visa exemption agreements with the EU . This generally includes citizens of Australia, Brazil, Canada, Hong Kong, Japan, Macao, Mexico, Taiwan, the U.K., and the U.S., and roughly 50 more nations.

So if you fall into one of the two categories above, you should be good to go with just your itinerary and biometric passport. Granted that your passport is issued no more than 10 years prior to and valid for at least 90 days after the planned date of departure from the Schengen zone, and that your stay in said zone doesn’t exceed three months in any six-month period.

*PRO-TIP: AXA can tell you more about European non-Schengen countries, as well as the difference between the European Union and Schengen countries too.

What type of visa do I need?

If you do indeed need a Schengen visa, you have a few options. And the one you choose will depend on what you’re going to Czechia for.

The most common, for example, is the short-stay visa (aka Type C or “tourist”).
With it, you can travel to Czechia — as well as to/between all Schengen countries — for up to 90 days in any 180-day period. That should give you plenty of time to check out the city of a hundred spires (aka Prague) and its surroundings.

To stay longer, however, you’ll need a national Czech visa (aka Type D visa).
And if you’re going to study, work, or just passing through — you also have a few options.

PRO-TIP: But AXA can help you figure out the type of Schengen visa that suits your travel needs best in no time too — as well as the Schengen visa costs it entails.

What are the requirements for a Czech visa?

And no matter which visa you choose, AXA has also compiled an extensive (yet easy-to-follow) guide on all the requirements for a Schengen visa.* Of course, the specific paperwork you need will depend on a number of factors.

But, generally speaking, here’s a quick breakdown of what you should have at the very least:

-Your passport (issued within the last 10 years, with a validity of more than 3 months after the planned date of exit from the Schengen area)

-A Schengen visa application form (duly completed and signed).

-Two recent passport photos;

-Your itinerary

-Schengen travel insurance (NOTE: Travel insurance is mandatory, and must meet several criteria; fortunately, AXA’s does!)

-Proof of sufficient funds* (if applicable)

-Proof of the purpose of the trip (i.e., letter of invitation, if applicable)

-Your residence permit and/or resident card (if applicable)

-Proof of accommodation (if applicable)

-Proof of socio-economic and professional stability (if applicable)

-For minors — certified parental or guardian authorization

Traveling for work? You might also need:

-a schedule of your stay with your business contacts and/or a signed letter of invitation from a Latvian company (if applicable)

-other documentation linked to your business operations (if applicable)

*IMPORTANT PRO-TIP: While AXA always makes sure to bring you the most up-to-date and accurate info regarding any and all Schengen Visa requirements, it’s always best to double-check with other proper official sources. In this case, these would be the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and the European Commission’s official visa website.

Where, when, and how should I apply for a Czech visa?

Once all your paperwork and travel plans are good to go — double-check everything, give yourself plenty of time, breathe, and then follow these simple steps:

Where to apply

You’ll be submitting your Schengen visa application through the nearest Czech embassy/consulate in your place of residence.

PRO-TIPS: Fortunately, the official Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs website can help you locate your nearest Czech mission in no time.
Additionally, the Czech government partners with the company VFS Global for visa applications in Bhutan, India, Nepal, the U.K., Saudi Arabia, and dozens of other countries. So click around!

When to apply

You can submit your application no earlier than 6 months and no later than 2 weeks before your trip. However, starting at least 2–3 months in advance is strongly recommended.

And that’s because while processing times are usually around 15 calendar days, delays can push this to anywhere between 30–60 days — esp. during peak travel seasons (and/or if extra documentation is needed).

PRO-TIP: And keep in mind that even though you can usually begin the process online, you'll eventually need to visit a Czech embassy, consulate, or visa application center in person — for biometrics and document submission. So plan ahead.

How to apply

Once you’re ready, you should:

-Check your local Czech embassy’s or VFS Global center’s specific application guidelines (as requirements vary slightly by region);

-Book your appointment accordingly;

-Attend the scheduled interview and submit your application. That is, with all your paperwork on hand (properly translated — if applicable) and ready for biometric data collection (i.e., photo and fingerprints).

Then just wait to hear back and hope for the best — checking in via email and/or phone now and then, if you feel it’s necessary (and/or possible).

What about ETIAS and EES?

Now, you may have already heard of these too. But just in case, the “European Information and Authorization System” (aka ETIAS) and its counterpart the “Entry/Exit System” (aka EES) are the EU’s long-awaited, mostly digital systems of new requirements for entering its borders. And this includes those of the Czech Republic. Both systems were conceived back in 2016 and intended to eventually make European travel easier for everyone involved.

However, it’s important to note that ETIAS and EES will not replace the Schengen visa (for the Czech Republic or anywhere else), and will actually apply to all non-EU travelers to Europe — regardless of their visa status.

PRO-TIP: AXA can gladly tell you more about ETIAS and EES. However, for the latest developments, we recommend you check back with the EU’s official website regarding the matter. And, like us, hope for the best on this one too.

How else can AXA help?

Meanwhile, the best possible way we can actually help you get to Czechia— and have a safe stay there from start to finish too — is by doing what we do best. And that’s by providing you with some first-class, top-quality, affordable travel insurance for the Czech visa.

Because, first off, to be granted your Czech Schengen visa, Schengen travel insurance is mandatory. Not only that, but your plan must meet certain health insurance requirements to be granted that Schengen visa. AXA’s plans do.

And there are countless other benefits to choosing AXA too. We could, of course, list them all here. But instead, as you gather your visa paperwork, we simply recommend you take a minute to compare AXA’s different plans for yourself and/or get a free quote.

Because with AXA, you'll be safely crossing Charles Bridge, sampling some of the world’s best beer (and Svíčková na smetaně, of course), exploring Prague’s Old Town, and doing everything in between in no time. And all this legally, stress-free, and in good hands — 24/7.

So good luck, and Šťastnou Cestu (aka “safe travels”)!

RELATED ARTICLES

• How to fill out the Schengen visa application form
• Schengen visa tracking online
• Easiest countries to obtain a Schengen visa from

FAQ

Can I apply for a Czech Schengen visa and visit multiple countries?

Yes, you can travel throughout the rest of the Schengen on a Czech visa for up to 90 days (in any 180-day period). However, Czechia must be either your main destination (i.e., where you’ll spend the most time) or your first entry point in the Schengen Area.

Can I work or study in Czechia with a Schengen tourist visa?

No. A Type C (aka tourist or “short-stay”) Schengen visa grants you entry into the Czech Republic for vacation, a short business trip, to see family, or for short courses (such as language classes, for example). It cannot, however, be converted into a work or study permit once you’re there.

What currency is used in Czechia?

IMPORTANT: Czechia uses the Czech koruna (CZK), not the euro. While some tourist areas accept euros, it’s best to carry koruna for local transactions. And make sure to check current exchange rates.