During residency
The following text provides essential information for non-EU international students regarding their stay in the Czech Republic. We strongly recommend that all non-EU international students read this information as it is crucial for their legal stay in Olomouc, the Czech Republic, or even the entire European Union.
Extension of Residency
The application for a residency document extension can be submitted no earlier than 120 days before its expiration. We highly recommend initiating the process of extending the long-term visa/residence permit as early as possible.
For extension, gather the following documents listed below.
Personal Submission of Documents
Step-by-step guide:
- Inform Welcome Office through welcome@upol.cz about your intention to extend your residency document and attach a scanned copy or photo of your current residency document and passport.
- Gather documents necessary for the extension of your residency document. Please visit the Welcome office to have your documents checked.
- Reserve an appointment for submission of documents through your account on the Ministry of Interior web page (creating an account).
- Attend the appointment and bring all the required documents. You will be asked to pay a 2.500 CZK administrative fee (payable only by card).
- Track the status of your application using your reference number (provided during the appointment) on the MOI website.
- Await an email from the Welcome Office regarding your biometric scanning appointment.
- Attend the biometric scanning appointment and receive your new residency document.
Submission of Documents by Mail
Please note that the transfer from a long-term visa to a long-term residence permit must be done in person and cannot be processed through mail.
Here is a step-by-step guide:
- Inform Welcome Office through welcome@upol.cz about your intention to extend your residency document and attach a scanned copy or photo of your current residency document and passport.
- Gather documents necessary for the extension of your residency document. Please visit the Welcome office to have your documents checked.
- Place all the required documents in an envelope and send them as a registered letter to the address of the Ministry of Interior department: Pracoviště MV Odboru azylové a migrační politiky, třída Kosmonautů 989/8, 779 00 Olomouc
- After approximately 5 days, send an email to pobyty@mvcr.cz. Include your name, surname, and date of birth, and request the reference number of your application. This number will allow you to track the progress of your application on the MOI website.
- Await an email from the Welcome Office regarding your biometric scanning appointment.
- Attend the biometric scanning appointment and receive your new residency document.
Required Documents: Extension of Long-term Residence Permit
To extend a long-term residence permit, the student must acquire several documents and make the payment for the administrative fee. Below is a list of all the required documents.
- Official application form (long-term residence permit form);
- Travel document (personally provided original; by letter send only copy of passport);
- Document confirming the purpose of stay in the Czech Republic (confirmation on the enrolment in education);
- Proof of accommodation (provided either by property lessor or Accommodation and Dining Facilities of Palacký University);
- 1 photograph (35 mm x 45 mm);
- Document on travel medical insurance for the period of a stay in the Czech Republic (comprehensive/complex medical insurance for foreigners up to 400 000 euros per one insurance event).
- Proof of funds;
- Administrative fee of 2 500 CZK (personal appointment - pay on the spot by card, submission by mail - before you submit the documents, generate a payment on the Ministry of Interior webpage and pay the administrative fee of 2500 CZK, print the confirmation of payment and add it into the envelope before sending it to the Ministry of Interior offices).
Please note that all documents must be in the Czech language or officially translated into Czech. The only exception is the document providing proof of funds, which can be in English. However, it is important that all the necessary information is clearly distinguishable in the document.
Required Documents: Extension of Long-term Visa
To extend a long-term visa, the student must acquire several documents to obtain approval for the residency document. Below is a list of all the required documents.
- Official application form (long-term visa form);
- Travel document (personally provided original; by letter send only copy of passport);
- Document confirming the purpose of stay in the Czech Republic (confirmation on the enrolment in education);
- Proof of accommodation (provided either by property lessor or Accommodation and Dining Facilities of Palacký University);
- 1 photograph (35 mm x 45 mm);
- Document on travel medical insurance for the period of a stay in the Czech Republic (comprehensive/complex medical insurance for foreigners up to 400 000 euros per one insurance event). As an Erasmus or an Erasmus+ student, you might not need insurance. Get more information from your Erasmus/Erasmus+ officer.
- Proof of funds.
Please note that all documents must be in the Czech language or officially translated into Czech. The only exception is the document providing proof of funds, which can be in English. However, it is important that all the necessary information is clearly distinguishable in the document.
Transferring from Long-term Visa to Long-term Residence Permit
A long-term visa can only be extended for a maximum period of 12 months in total. If a student plans to study for a longer duration, it is necessary to apply for a transfer from a long-term visa to a long-term residence permit, which can be extended multiple times.
It is important to note that the transfer from a long-term visa to a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies can only be done in person and not by mail.
Long-term Residence Permit for the Purpose of Seeking Employment
If a student's final exam is scheduled within the next month and they intend to stay in the Czech Republic for the purpose of seeking employment, it is the ideal time to apply for a change of purpose from studying to seeking employment.
When a student completes their last final exam and concludes their studies, the long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies automatically expires, regardless of its validity. Therefore, if a student intends to extend their stay in the Czech Republic for the purpose of seeking employment, it is necessary to apply for a long-term residence permit specifically for that purpose before the expiration date of their current residency document (issued for the purpose of studies).
The document confirming the successful completion of their university studies can be submitted additionally after the application if a student does not possess such a document yet.
To apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment, a student must follow the steps below.
Bridging Label
The student can ask for a bridging label when submitting the documents for the extension. It allows them to travel abroad and outside of the borders of the EU/EEA or Schengen areas. Its expiration date will depend on the expected date of obtainment of the renewed residency document. We recommend bringing documents (such as flight tickets) that will confirm that you will leave. You can also come to the Ministry of Interior offices later (if the process takes longer than you expected and you need to travel) and ask for a bridging label.
If, for some reason, your bridging label expires before the receiving of the residency document, the student can apply for a new bridging label. You can come to the Ministry of Interior offices and ask for a new bridging label.
Reporting the changes - Change of Residence
If you decide to move to a new accommodation, you will have to report to changes to MOI within 30 working days. It is a simple process but it will prevent you from any troubles with MOI if you were for example to switch from visa to residence permit or if you were to extend your residency permit. There is no administrative fee for reporting a change of address.
To report the changes, follow the steps below:
- Gather the necessary documents - a certified copy of your accommodation contract and the relevant form (in the form, sign "other").
- Submit your documents - you can do this either personally after making an appointment online or by phone, or send the documents by post. If you send the documents by post, we recommend calling MOI no later than week after you send the documents to make sure your letter has arrived.
If you want to change your permanent residence, the rules and requirements are slightly different. You can look them up at the MOI portal.
If you are unsure about something, you can always contact us at welcome@upol.cz.
Acquiring a Birth Number/ID Number
Some students might need a birth number for various administrative procedures (requested by the university, bank, Ministry of Interior, employer, and others).
Two situations can occur:
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You have been assigned a personal identity number but it is not included in the document yet - You can go to the Ministry of the Interior office in person. There you will receive an individual document with the personal identity number you have been assigned. For this, you can make an appointment online.
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You have not been assigned a personal identity number yet - If you have been waiting for a personal identity number for more than 4 months, we recommend that you go to a Ministry of the Interior offices and consult the Ministry employees.