The Welcome Office helps with determining and application for the type of visa/residence permit necessary for staying in the Czech Republic for you and your family members. Officers for Foreign Employees assist with arrival paperwork as well as searching for accommodation or resolving practical matters related to living in Brno (or Lednice), as well as many other matters. It is recommended to always ask the Officers for Foreign Employees for the correct procedure.
Visa and residence permits
- EU citizens
Citizens of the EU/EEA and Switzerland have the same legal status as Czech nationals. There is no need to apply for any residence permit and work permit in the Czech Republic. No distinction is made between long-term and short-term stays. If they intend to stay in the Czech Republic for longer than 3 months, they can apply for registration certificate (former temporary residence certificate) and for permanent residence permit after 5 years of continuous residence in the Czech Republic.
- Non-EU citizens (third-country nationals)
Every non-EU citizen must hold a visa or a residence permit if they want to study or perfom work in the Czech Republic. Non-EU citizens can apply for a short-term/Schengen visa (for stays not longer than 90 days) or long-term residence permit (for stays longer than than 90 days).
Short-term stay/Schengen visa
It is stay not exceeding 90 days within any 180 consecutive days. There are several purposes of Schengen visa. Some countries have an exemption from the requirement to hold visa, but this applies to tourist stays only not to carrying out paid activities. The foreigner submits the application for Schengen visa together with all the requirements to the embassy of the Czech Republic in the given country. Please notice that it is not possible to prolong the Schengen visa in the Czech Republic.
Long-term stay
Foreign nationals travelling to the Czech Republic to conduct scientific research must apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research which guarantees the worker better conditions for staying in the Czech Republic and moving around the EU. The foreigner submits the application for long-term residence together with all the requirements to the embassy of the Czech Republic in the given country. Please note that it takes 60 days from the date of submission to process your application. And some extra time is needed for obtaining a document similar to an extract from the Penal Register record. All the necessary documents must be originals or notarised copies and must be in Czech language or officially translated into Czech. Moreover, an apostille or legalisation must be attached to any documents issued by foreign public authorities. Official translations can usually be obtained at the embassy.
- A1 form
It is important to find out if the future employee has another job in another EU country, EEC or Switzerland. If so, it is necessary to submit an application for an A1 form, aka Certificate concerning the Social Security legislation. The application is submitted in the country of the foreigner's permanent residence, or temporary residence, where he/she stays most of the time or where family members live (meant an EU country).
Mandatory details of the application for issuing A1:
- completed form (each country has its own form)
- a copy of the employment contract/contracts from all jobs in the EU related to the timeframe (employment relationship and all types of agreements), the last amendment to the contract must always be attached
- copy of valid A1, if issued and related to the timeframe
The application must be sent as soon as possible and the decision must be handed over by the time of the first contributions. In case of further questions related to A1 form, you can contact Ing. Leona Abudayyehová.
How to fill out A1 form:
The A1 form is mandatory to send to social security institution in which country of EU a new employee currently reside (their family reside), no matter where he/she spends more time working. In case of CZ, they are oblidged to fill out the Czech version of the application since the offical language is Czech. HERE they can find the website where you can fill out the form. HERE we provide the translation of the basic application form. In case of needed help, please contact Welcome Office.
Useful links:
Brno Expat Centre helps skilled foreign professionals and their families living or planning to live in Brno get settled in the area. Find out what makes #BRNOREGION the perfect place to live.
You can find important information at Ministry of the Interior - Immigration.
Compare the cost of living, real estate, crime rates or quality of life in different areas of the world on Numbeo. You can get better idea of the cost of living in the Czech Republic compared to your home country.
You can find the basic information about MENDELU in our Guide for MENDELU Employees.