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Czech Republic visas

Czech Republic tourist visa

Some travellers can visit Czechia without a visa. Others need a Schengen short-stay visa.

Ways to get a Czech Republic tourist visa

  1. Visa-free short visit

    No visa needed

    Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-free countries and territories, including Kosovo.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

  2. Schengen short-stay visa

    Visa needed

    Travellers who need a visa for a short visit and meet the visa requirements.

    Stay
    Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area, within the stay allowed by your visa.
    Valid for
    Usually the intended trip for new applicants; up to five years for some multiple-entry visas.
    Entries
    One, two or multiple entries.
    Fee
    EUR 90 standard; EUR 45 for children aged 6 to 12; free for children under 6. Some applicants qualify for other waivers or reductions. The fee may rise to EUR 180 for certain nationalities, except children under 12. An external service provider may charge up to EUR 120 extra.
    Processing
    15 calendar days for an admissible application with no issues. Appointment availability and processing delays can affect plans.
    1. Choose the embassy or consulate for your main Schengen destination. Use Czechia's if Czechia is your main destination.
    2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country of first entry.
    3. Lodge the application no more than six months before your intended entry, through the mission or its appointed service provider.
    4. Attend in person for a first application and interview. Give fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.

  4. Visit using an existing visa or residence permit

    No visa needed

    Holders of a valid short-stay Schengen visa without a conflicting territorial restriction, or a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco.

    Stay
    Up to 90 days in any 180-day period when visiting other Schengen states using a long-stay visa or residence permit.
    Valid for
    Within the validity and conditions of the document used.
    Entries
    As allowed by the document used.

  5. Czechia's bilateral visa-free arrangements

    No visa needed

    Citizens of New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Israel, Malaysia, South Korea, Uruguay, Singapore, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Paraguay have specific Czech visa-free arrangements.

    Stay
    Depends on nationality: up to 90 days in Czechia for New Zealand citizens without reference to time in other Schengen countries; an extra three months per six-month period for Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Israel, Malaysia, South Korea and Uruguay; an additional 30 days for Singapore.

  6. Visa-free entry for refugees living in Ireland

    No visa needed

    Refugees who reside in Ireland.

  7. Diplomatic and official passport exemptions

    No visa needed

    Holders of diplomatic or official passports from visa-free countries, except Georgia, and holders of the additional passports listed for Czechia.

    Stay
    Short stays of up to 90 days.

    Passports that qualify (85)

Who needs it

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies.

Who doesn't

Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories, EU single market citizens and some holders of visas or residence documents do not need a separate visitor visa.

How to apply

  1. Apply to Czechia's embassy or consulate if Czechia is your only or main Schengen destination.
  2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first.
  3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an external application service.
  4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.

What to bring

  • Travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.
  • Ten fingerprints and a digital photograph if required. Fingerprints are not collected from children under 12.

Good to know

  • Count time across the Schengen Area together. The usual limit is 90 days in any 180-day period.
  • Visa-free short visits do not allow work in Czechia.
  • A Schengen visa is valid throughout the area unless it states a territorial restriction.
  • For travellers outside the EU single market, Czechia lists a funds requirement of EUR 40 per day for stays of up to 30 days.
  • Time in Gibraltar also counts towards the Schengen visa-free stay limit.
  • Time spent on a long-stay visa or residence permit does not count towards the visa-free 90-day allowance.
  • A visa or residence permit issued by Cyprus does not allow entry to Czechia.
  • EU single market means the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

Questions

Do I need a tourist visa for the Czech Republic?

Travellers whose nationality requires a visa must get a Schengen visa unless another exemption applies. Citizens of the listed visa-free countries and territories, EU single market citizens and some holders of visas or residence documents do not need a separate visitor visa.

What are the ways to get a tourist visa for the Czech Republic?

There are 7 options: Visa-free short visit (no visa at all); Schengen short-stay visa (a visa from an embassy); Free movement for EU single market citizens (no visa at all); Visit using an existing visa or residence permit (no visa at all); Czechia's bilateral visa-free arrangements (no visa at all); Visa-free entry for refugees living in Ireland (no visa at all); Diplomatic and official passport exemptions (no visa at all).

Who can go to the Czech Republic without a tourist visa?

Ordinary passport holders from the listed visa-free countries and territories, including Kosovo. Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland. Holders of a valid short-stay Schengen visa without a conflicting territorial restriction, or a long-stay visa or residence permit issued by a Schengen state, Gibraltar or Monaco. Citizens of New Zealand, Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Israel, Malaysia, South Korea, Uruguay, Singapore, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama and Paraguay have specific Czech visa-free arrangements. Refugees who reside in Ireland. Holders of diplomatic or official passports from visa-free countries, except Georgia, and holders of the additional passports listed for Czechia.

How long can I stay on a the Czech Republic tourist visa?

Usually up to 90 days in any 180-day period across the Schengen Area.

How much does a the Czech Republic tourist visa cost?

Standard Schengen visa application: EUR 90. Children aged 6 to 12: EUR 45. Children under 6: free. Other reductions, waivers or higher fees may apply.

How long does a the Czech Republic tourist visa take?

15 calendar days after lodging an admissible application with no issues. Appointments and processing can face delays.

How long is a the Czech Republic tourist visa valid?

A Schengen visa can be valid for the intended trip or for up to five years. This does not allow a continuous five-year stay. Entries: Schengen visas may allow one, two or multiple entries..

What documents do I need for a the Czech Republic tourist visa?

Travel document accepted for a Schengen visa.; Ten fingerprints and a digital photograph if required. Fingerprints are not collected from children under 12..

How do I apply for a the Czech Republic tourist visa?

1. 1. Apply to Czechia's embassy or consulate if Czechia is your only or main Schengen destination. 2. 2. If there is no main destination, apply to the Schengen country you will enter first. 3. 3. Submit your application no more than six months before your planned entry. Some missions use an external application service. 4. 4. Attend in person for your first application and a consular interview. Provide fingerprints and a digital photograph if required.

What rules do I have to follow on a the Czech Republic tourist visa?

Count time across the Schengen Area together. The usual limit is 90 days in any 180-day period. Visa-free short visits do not allow work in Czechia. A Schengen visa is valid throughout the area unless it states a territorial restriction. For travellers outside the EU single market, Czechia lists a funds requirement of EUR 40 per day for stays of up to 30 days.

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