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Czechia work visa: requirements, fee and processing time

This page covers the Czechia work visa — used for taking up employment with a local employer. Every field below is taken from our editor-verified country record and reflects what the Czechia consular network publishes for applicants of any nationality. You apply in the country where you legally reside, so exact centres and service fees can differ locally.

Consular fee
€100
Typical decision
60 days
Appointments
Mixed

Where to apply for a Czechia work visa

Employee Card (combined residence and work permit) or long-term employment visa, lodged in person at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in London.

Required documents

  • Employee Card or long-term visa application form
  • Valid passport
  • One biometric photo
  • Employment contract for a vacancy registered as open to Employee Card holders
  • Recognised proof of the required qualifications
  • Proof of accommodation in Czechia
  • Criminal record extract covering the last three years of residence
  • Medical insurance
  • Proof of funds until the first salary
  • Fee payment confirmation

Turn this list into a tick-off checklist on the checklist page, which also flags which items are mandatory and which are only advisable.

Fees, reductions and exemptions

  • Employee Card / long-term employment visa€100CZK 2,500 at the current rate
  • Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss workerFreeDirective 2004/38/EC

CZK 2,500 (about EUR 100) payable at the Embassy on submission.

Booking an appointment

Employee Card appointments are released in limited batches rather than being continuously available: the Embassy opens booking windows periodically and they fill immediately, so employer and applicant must be ready to act the moment slots appear.

Practical tips

The employer must register the vacancy with the Czech Labour Office first - you cannot apply until the post appears in the central register of jobs open to Employee Card holders.

What is unusual about the Czechia process

London Employee Card appointments are released in periodic quota windows rather than on a rolling basis, so timing the application to a released window is critical.

Official sources

If you are applying from the United Kingdom

  • LondonVFS Global — Czechia Visa Application Centre
    66 Wilson Street, London EC2A 2BT
    Short-stay (Schengen) applications.
  • LondonEmbassy of the Czech Republic
    26 Kensington Palace Gardens, London W8 4QY
    Long-stay (type D), Employee Card and family reunification applications, in person by appointment.

Applying from somewhere else? Use the consulate that covers your country of legal residence — the requirements above still apply.

Updated today against official Czechia consular sources. Requirements can change without notice — always confirm before you travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does a Czechia work visa cost?
For a Czechia work visa, the consular fee is €100. Reduced or waived amounts apply to: Employee Card / long-term employment visa — €100; Family member of an EU/EEA/Swiss worker — free. CZK 2,500 (about EUR 100) payable at the Embassy on submission. Visa application centres such as VFS Global, BLS, TLScontact or Capago charge their own service fee on top.
How long does a Czechia work visa take to process?
A decision on a Czechia work visa typically takes around 60 days from the appointment date, though peak season, additional document requests and consulate workload can extend this. Apply as early as the rules allow.
Where do I apply for a Czechia work visa?
Employee Card (combined residence and work permit) or long-term employment visa, lodged in person at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in London. You always apply through the mission or application centre that covers your country of legal residence.
What documents are required for a Czechia work visa?
The Czechia consular network lists: Employee Card or long-term visa application form; Valid passport; One biometric photo; Employment contract for a vacancy registered as open to Employee Card holders; Recognised proof of the required qualifications; Proof of accommodation in Czechia; Criminal record extract covering the last three years of residence; Medical insurance; Proof of funds until the first salary; Fee payment confirmation. Some items are mandatory and others only advisable — the EU Visa Compass checklist tool flags which is which.
How do appointments work for a Czechia work visa?
Appointment model: Mixed. Employee Card appointments are released in limited batches rather than being continuously available: the Embassy opens booking windows periodically and they fill immediately, so employer and applicant must be ready to act the moment slots appear.
Can I apply for a Czechia work visa from the United Kingdom?
Yes. We list 2 submission points in the UK for Czechia, with addresses and notes, on this page. If you live elsewhere, use the consulate covering your country of residence — the requirements themselves stay the same.

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