Disclaimer: This is only a personal account of the visa process I went through to obtain legal status to live and work in the Czech Republic. Each situation is different and should be handled accordingly. One consult a professional for more details and requirements.
Plane Ticket: “Check“
Job/Training Course: “Check“
Temporary Accommodations: “Check“
Visa: “Uhhhhh, hold on a sec“
If one is considering living abroad for an extended period of time, getting legal may not be the first thing that pops into your mind when you think, “hmm, I think I’ll live here”. Typically it’s, “where do I want to go, what do I want to see/do, where should I stay?”. However, it is an important point to consider and research to determine eligibility requirements and so-forth. Depending on the country you intend to live in, there could be a very quick or somewhat laborious process…this article discusses my experience getting my visa to live and work in the Czech Republic.
The Czech Republic is part of the Schengen Zone, which is a membership of 26 European countries that have eliminated passport and immigration controls between their borders. This allows for free travel in and out of the zone. However, it does not consist of the same countries that are part of the European Union, as not all member countries are part of this zone and some non EU countries are part of the Schengen Zone.
American Citizens traveling to this area are allowed visa-free access to the Schengen countries for 90 days in any 180 day period (does not need to be consecutive). If one intends to extend their stay, then they would need to apply for a visa. Otherwise, one must leave the zone for 180 days, at which time the 90-day window will reset and you can stay for an additional 90 days without a visa.
Here is a run-down of the typical visa process one may experience (err, endure) if coming from the USA (note, my British counterparts do not need to go through this…lucky folks). I personally recommend using a professional service to help you navigate this process. Since you need many copies made, translated into Czech, notarized, signed, and organized, the fee is well worth the hassle and stress. Not to mention, they schedule your appointment and help with the police and tax office registration.
Since I would be teaching here in Prague, it was best to apply for a Živnostensky List (Trade License) at the same time as my visa. This would allow me to work as a freelancer, leaving me able to work for whoever I want, rather than be tied to 1 employer. This needs to be done within 90 days of my arrival to the Schengen Zone.
Forms needed to apply:
-Bank Statements showing that you have at least 110,000 kc ($6000USD) in money in your account. This needs to come from your bank and be dated sometime within the past 6 months. This is to prove you have sufficient funds to support you before you are officially approved for your visa and can legally begin working. This will need to be translated into Czech.
-Consent for Business Address (Souhlas s umístením sídla podnikani) form signed and notarized by your landlord allowing your address to be used “for your business”
-Signed and stamped paper acknowledging formal employment offer in the Czech Republic.
-Notarized affidavit declaring clean criminal history and record.
-Visa and Trade License Application
Applying:
-Once your forms are in order, you make an appointment to interview at a Czech Embassy outside the Czech Republic. Closest cities for this are Berlin, Vienna, and Bratislava.
-You interview at the Embassy and submit your paperwork and pay the application and embassy fee. The embassy has up to 60 business days to make a decision on your visa application.
Once Approved:
-You need to purchase comprehensive medical insurance covering you for the entire period of your visa (6 months minimum).
-Travel back to the same embassy you applied at to pick up your visa.
– Register with the Foreign Police within 3 days of returning to the CZ
-Register at the Tax and Social Security office to get your Tax ID and trade license.
-Provide copies of your trade license, if requested, to your employer.
-As you technically work for yourself, you will be required to pay your own taxes (about 1800kc/month).
Wa-la!! You’re now legal…for 6 months. While the renewal process (which can give you up to 2 additional years) is not as intense, one can also have their visa expire, at which time, their 180 day period would be complete, and they get an additional 90 days, visa free.
Pro’s:
-You are your own boss/independent contractor so you basically control your own schedule.
-Health Insurance is cheap (compared to US standards). 6 months will cost anywhere from $100-300 USD and their standard of care is that of most industrialized countries.
Con’s:
-Fees. All-told, it cost around 12,000 kc ($500 USD) to get the visa + plus travel to/from the embassy 2 times + plus the ~2000 kc/month social tax
-As mentioned, its a long process for only a 6 month period.
-Need to pay own taxes each month.
-Time. You need to have all this completed and approved within 90 days to have legal status to live here. In addition, you cannot legally work during this period and, once approved, cannot work “full time”. If you think you will over stay the 90 days, you can travel to a non-Schengen Zone country for a period and then return so that your 90-days limit is not exceeded. Since the 90 days does not need to be consecutive (but just 90 days within 180) this is a common solution to the possible issue.
Regardless of the process, fees, etc., it needed to be done so I could live and work here. It was a valuable learning experience in what countless others go through when moving to a different country. For me, it was a perspective on “immigrating” to a country and going through the process. Plus, I got to visit Berlin twice!
Travelnues 