Czech Immigration Terms

International certification under the Hague Convention that authenticates public documents for use in other countries. Required for criminal records, birth certificates, diplomas, and marriage certificates.

The physical residence card issued for long-term and permanent residence. Contains biometric data (fingerprints, photo). Issued at OAMP office.

Official portal for Czech language exams (cestina-pro-cizince.cz). Book A1 and B1 exams, find study materials, and locate exam centers.

Branch of the Czech Police that handles foreign nationals — registration of accommodation, residence checks. Website: frs.gov.cz.

Czech Proof of Output from Information Systems of Public Administration. Network of service points at post offices and municipal offices. Provides: criminal record extracts, verified copies, authenticated signatures.

Visa for stays over 90 days in the Czech Republic. Required for employment, study, business, or family reunification. Valid for up to 1 year.

When the OAMP requests additional documents for your application. You typically have 30 days to provide the missing items. Your application processing time pauses during this period.

Služba cizinecké policie — handles accommodation registration, residence checks, and border control. You must register your accommodation within 3 days of arrival. Website: frs.gov.cz.

Identifikační číslo osoby — unique 8-digit number assigned to every business entity in Czech Republic. Received when you register your Trade Licence.

Official stamp used to pay government fees. Available at Czech Post (Česká pošta) offices. Required for immigration application fees.

Visa for stays up to 90 days within a 180-day period in the Schengen area. Does NOT count toward permanent residence requirements.

Municipal registry office that handles birth certificates, marriage certificates, and death certificates. Important for apostille and document legalization.

The main government body handling immigration. Runs OAMP (Department of Asylum and Migration Policy). Website: mvcr.cz.

Manages Czech embassies and consulates abroad where you submit visa applications. Website: mzv.gov.cz.

Residence and work permit for highly qualified non-EU workers. Requires a university degree and a job offer with a salary at least 1.5x the Czech average. Valid up to 2 years.

Process of recognizing foreign educational qualifications in the Czech Republic. Required for regulated professions. Applied for at a Czech university or school.

Odbor azylové a migrační politiky — the department within the Ministry of Interior that processes immigration applications. Regional offices throughout Czech Republic.

Czech citizenship (české občanství). Acquired by: birth, declaration, or granting (naturalization). Allows dual citizenship since 2014. Requires PR, B1 Czech exam, reálie exam, and životopis.

Osoba samostatně výdělečně činná — a sole trader / freelancer with a Trade Licence (živnostenský list). Subject to income tax, health insurance, and social insurance.

Official document confirming where you live. Can be a rental contract, employer-provided housing confirmation, or property ownership document.

Residence permit for stays over 1 year. Includes Employee Card, Blue Card, student residence, business residence, and family reunification.

Indefinite residence permit granted after 5 years of continuous residence. Requires A1 Czech language exam. Card renewed every 10 years.

Residence status for EU citizens and their family members in the Czech Republic. Registered at the OAMP office.

A stamp placed in your passport when you apply for renewal/change of residence. Allows you to legally stay while your application is being processed, even if your current permit expires.

Exam testing knowledge of Czech culture, history, geography, political system, and institutions. Required for citizenship. 30 questions, 45 minutes, 60% to pass. Fee: 2,000 CZK.

Official document from the criminal records registry. Required for most immigration applications. Czech extract obtained from Rejstřík trestů office or Czech POINT. Foreign extract from your home country.

Czech national identification number assigned to residents. Format: XXXXXX/XXXX. Used for healthcare, tax, and official purposes. Foreigners receive one when getting residence.

Translator officially appointed by a Czech court. Only sworn translations are accepted by Czech authorities. The translation is bound together with the original document with a ribbon and seal.

Written consent from the property owner allowing you to live at their property. Must be officially verified (úředně ověřený podpis) at Czech POINT or notary.

Authentication of documents from countries not part of the Hague Apostille Convention. Requires verification by the Czech embassy in the issuing country, then by the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Ústav jazykové a odborné přípravy Univerzity Karlovy — the Charles University institute that administers Czech language exams (A1, B1) and reálie exams for immigration purposes.

Czech Labour Office that manages the Central Register of Vacancies. Employers must register job positions here before hiring non-EU workers. Website: uradprace.cz.

Long-term visa (D type) allowing residence in Czech Republic for over 90 days. Applied for at Czech embassy. Required before you can apply for a long-term residence permit.

Same as Rejstřík trestů — an extract from the criminal records showing you have (or don't have) a criminal history. Must not be older than 180 days for immigration applications.

Combined work and residence permit for non-EU nationals. Valid up to 2 years, renewable. Fee: 2,500 CZK. The most common permit type for foreign workers.

Former fast-track work permit for skilled workers from specific countries. Discontinued in 2014 and replaced by the Employee Card system.

Authorization to conduct business as a self-employed person (OSVČ). Issued by the Trade Licensing Office (Živnostenský úřad). Fee: 1,000 CZK. Three types: free, regulated, and craft.

Municipal office that issues Trade Licences (živnostenský list). Available in every municipality. Registration takes 1–5 business days.

For citizenship applications: a narrative life story (NOT a CV/resume) written in Czech, 2–4 pages. Describes your background, life in Czech Republic, and reasons for seeking citizenship.