Basic information for Ukrainians arriving in the Czech Republic
There are currently over 200,000 Ukrainian war refugees in the Czech Republic and more are pouring in daily. Here is a list of the most common questions and answers relating to their rights and duties.
Do you have a valid long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic which can be extended?
If you need to extend your residence permit, please follow the standard procedures.
Do you have a valid residence permit in the Czech Republic that cannot be extended and will expire shortly?
If your residence permit (Schengen visa / seasonal work visa / special work visa) expires in less than 14 days and you cannot return to Ukraine due to the conflict, you are obliged to come to the Ministry of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as MoI), Department for Asylum and Migration Policy (hereinafter referred to as DAMP).
You can apply for a special long-term visa. If you have a valid work permit, you can continue working. If you do not have a work permit, you are obliged to apply for it. Information regarding opening hours of the MoI offices can be found here. Please do not go to the Office earlier since the application might not be processed.
I have recently arrived in the Czech Republic; I have a support system here (family, friends, accommodation and food provided by volunteers and non-governmental organisations). What should I do?
You have the right to stay in the Czech Republic for 90 days under the visa-free regime. If you are staying at a private accommodation, you must register with the Police of the Czech Republic. Alternatively, the provider of your accommodation will arrange registration. If you want to start working, you can apply for a special long-term visa at the DAMP offices. Subsequently, you can find a job and apply for a work permit at the Labour Office.
I have recently arrived to the Czech Republic and I don’t have any support system here. I don’t have any accommodation and I need assistance. What should I do?
A network of Regional Centres for Help and Assistance to Ukraine (KACPU) has been set up across the country in each region. You can get registered, apply for a special long-term visa and ask for additional assistance (including accommodation).
If you need some further information, contact the helpline at +420 974 801 802. It will help you navigate your situation. You can also come to the Registration and humanitarian center in Vyšní Lhoty, address: Vyšní Lhoty 234, 739 51 where you will receive further assistance.
Can my family member who is not a Ukrainian national apply for the special long-term visa?
Yes, but they must be a close family member who can prove their residence in Ukraine with a residence permit issued before the armed conflict in Ukraine began. Close family members are considered to be parents, grandparents, grandchildren, siblings, spouses/registered partners who can prove their family ties.
Do I need to have health insurance?
Yes, to stay in the Czech Republic, you must be insured. If you are employed, you are covered by public health insurance. If you are not employed in the Czech Republic, you must cover your own health insurance. If you are granted a special long-term visa, you will automatically become a part of the public health insurance system. More information regarding health insurance and medical services can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health.
Do I have to report my arrival to the Czech Republic?
Yes. Every foreigner arriving in the Czech Republic is obliged to register with the Police of the Czech Republic at the Foreigners` Residence Unit of the Department of Foreign Police (in the case of hotel or other type of accommodation, the provider of accommodation is responsible for reporting). We recommend to make sure that the provider of accommodation has done so. Deadline for the registration has been extended up to 30 days counting from the day of arrival.
Do I need to take children under 15 to the foreign police registration?
No. According to Section 93 (1) of the Act on the Residence of Foreigners 326/1999 Coll., a foreigner under the age of 15 is not obliged to report his/her place of residence. Therefore, he/she does not have to register.
Do children under 15 have to come to the Ministry of the Interior (Department for Asylum and Migration Policy)?
They don’t. If you are applying for a special long-term visa for your children, it is sufficient to bring their travel document or birth certificate. We also recommend bringing their passport-sized photo.
Do you have relatives or friends in Ukraine who need to travel to the Czech Republic to join you?
Citizens of Ukraine can enter the Czech Republic visa-free, but only with a valid biometric passport, and for a maximum of 90 days in any 180-day period. It is important to have travel health insurance for the entire length of your visa-free stay (it can be arranged online). Furthermore, it is necessary to register with the Police of the Czech Republic at the Foreigners` Residence Unit of the Department of Foreign Police (in the case of hotel or other type of accommodation, the provider of accommodation is responsible for reporting). We recommend to make sure that the provider of accommodation has done so.
I need to travel outside of the Czech Republic in order to help my relatives or acquaintances. Will this affect the validity of my special long-term visa?
Yes, the special long-term visa expires when you leave the Czech Republic. We recommend to apply for a visa only when you do not plan to travel abroad.
I have submitted an application for a residence permit at an embassy. What should I do?
If you have submitted a long-term residence permit application, the process can be finished in the territory of the Czech Republic. When a decision is made, you will visit the MoI DAMP office, and collect the decision. If you have submitted a long-term visa application, you can collect it at the chosen embassy, which will be available during the time of closure of the embassies in Ukraine. More information can be found on the embassy website.
Can Ukrainians who do not have a biometric passport or have ex)hausted their visa-free stay, or have children who don’t have a passport arrive in the Czech Republic?
We cannot guarantee that they will be allowed to cross the external border of the EU. It is necessary to take all available documents proving their identity.
Do Ukrainians arriving in the Czech Republic have to provide proof of vaccination against Covid-19, PCR or antigen (RAT) test?
All epidemiological requirements for entry into the Czech Republic have been cancelled for Ukrainians in the Protective measure published on February 24th, 2022.
A Ukrainian arriving in the Czech Republic with a biometric passport cannot legally work in the Czech Republic. How can they arrange a work permit?
The person must arrive at the MoI DAMP office during the opening hours and apply for a long-term special visa. After that, an appointment must be made with the employer and a work permit must be arranged at the Labour Office.
Should incoming Ukrainians apply for asylum?
In the current situation, asylum procedure is not an optimal solution. It is faster and more efficient to request a long-term special visa. This type of visa is processed on the spot, and it is also possible to apply for a work permit and to work immediately. However, every foreign national has the right to apply for asylum (information regarding the international protection procedure can be found here, international protection application can be submitted here).
When a Ukrainian citizen receives a draft order, is his/her employment card cancelled, for example, if he/she leaves and therefore, does not fulfil the purpose?
No, it will not be cancelled. If their residence permit is valid, they can return.
Accepting new visa applications of Russian citizens has been suspended. Does this apply only for applications submitted at embassies or also in territory of the Czech Republic? Will it be possible to extend the stays of those already in the territory (students, family members, etc.)
Accepting new visa and residence permit applications has been suspended at embassies. Other proceedings continue as before.
I am arriving in the Czech Republic and I have a pet with me. What do I need to do?
Due to the extraordinary situation in Ukraine, The State Veterinary Administration has simplified the entry conditions for dogs, cats, ferrets in hobby breeding which accompany their owners / other persons from Ukraine. Everything can be arranged in the Czech Republic. More information can be found here, the form is here.
