A third-country national who intends to reside in the territory of the Czech Republic for a period longer than 3 months as a volunteer has to meet the conditions stated by the Law, i.e. he/she has to participate in a voluntary service scheme. The voluntary service scheme means a programme of practical solidarity activities, based on a scheme recognised by the Czech Republic or by the European Union, pursuing objectives of general interest for a non-profit cause. The activities of a third-country citizen cannot be remunerated in this programme, except for reimbursement of expenses and/or pocket money.
If a third-country citizen meets these conditions, he/she is entitled to apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of study (voluntary service) directly.
Where and how to apply
A long-term residence permit for the purpose of study (voluntary service) In general, the application for issuing the long-term residence permit for this purpose can be lodged at the Embassy of the Czech Republic abroad. A third-country citizen has to meet the same conditions for lodging the application at the Embassy as mentioned above. However, a third-country national is entitled to lodge this application in the territory of the Czech Republic at the office of the Ministry of the Interior as well, if he/she has been already residing in the territory based on a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit issued for another purpose. The application for a long-term residence permit has to be submitted in person. In the case a third-country national has been residing in the territory based on a long-term visa or a long-term residence permit issued for another purpose, he/she is entitled to lodge the application until the very end of validity of such residence permit. The application has to be filed in an appropriate form. Submission of the application for the long-term residence permit is charged with the administrative fee. This administrative fee is equal to 2 500 CZK and has to be paid in the form of a revenue stamp(s) if the application is lodged in the territory of the Czech Republic. In the case the application is lodged at the Embassy abroad, this fee is generally paid in the foreign currency. According to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the territory of the Czech Republic, a standard deadline for processing the application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies is 60 days from the day the application was lodged. If the application has been lodged at the Embassy of the Czech Republic abroad and if it has been approved, a third-country national is obliged to present a proof of medical travel insurance. Moreover, a third-country national is obliged to submit a proof of payment of the insurance premium upon request. If the application was lodged in the territory of the Czech Republic, a third-country citizen is obliged to submit this proof right away (at the moment of submission of the application). Upon arrival in the Czech Republic, a third-country national has to visit an appropriate office of the Ministry of the Interior in person to provide biometric data that are necessary for the production of a residence card. The residence card will then be issued at latest within 60 days. | |
| Documents required | To obtain a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies (voluntary service), a third-country citizen must submit:
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| Further requirements | Originals or other officially authenticated copies of all of the attached documents must be submitted. Travel documents must be submitted in original. All submitted documents in foreign languages must be submitted in their original version and with an officially certified translation into the Czech language. The required attachments to the applications must not be older than 180 days, except for travel documents and the photograph of the third-country national, provided that corresponds to his/her current appearance. The agreement with a host entity shall contain:
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| Duration of validity of permits | A long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies (voluntary service) is issued for the duration of 2 years, eventually for the duration stated in the document confirming the purpose of stay in the territory (if the duration stated there is shorter than 2 years). |
| Conditions for renewal | The validity of the long-term residence permit can be repeatedly extended, provided principally that the same conditions applicable to the issue of a permit are met. The validity of this residence permit can be extended for a period stated in the document confirming the purpose of stay in the territory of the Czech Republic, however, for a period not longer than 2 years. The application for an extension has to be lodged in the territory of the Czech Republic at the office of the Ministry of the Interior. A third-country citizen is entitled to lodge this application before the expiration of the validity of the previous residence permit at the latest, but not sooner than 120 days before the expiration of its validity. Detailed information about an extension of a long-term residence permit |
| Appeals | In the event that the application for issuing or extending the long-term residence permit is not approved, a third-country national can appeal by requesting that the Ministry of the Interior reassess his/her application within 15 days of the original decision being delivered to him/her. |
| Further information | Detailed information about a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies |
Change of status
A third-country national who is a holder of the long-term residence permit in the territory of the Czech Republic and who intends to reside in the territory for another purpose than the one that he/she was granted the permit is obliged to apply to the Ministry of the Interior for a new long-term residence permit. Detailed information about the change of the purpose of residence | |
| Family members |
No information available at the moment.