Immigration law
Long-term visas and residence permits
§ 30–46 of Act No. 326/1999 Coll.
Your first legal status in the Czech Republic: a long-term visa of up to a year and the residence cards that follow. A correctly chosen purpose and a gap-free file decide most of the outcome before filing.
What the law says
The Foreigners Act ties every visa to a purpose: employment, business, study, family reunification, culture, medical treatment. The purpose dictates the documents and what you may do after arrival — you cannot take a job on a business visa, nor run a business on an Employee Card.
The first long-term visa is filed in person at a Czech consulate abroad; in-country filing is exceptional. The law requires proof of purpose, accommodation, funds and insurance; processing runs typically 90 days for visas and 60–90 days for cards, counted from a complete filing.
How the work runs
I start with an eligibility audit: which purpose is defensible in your situation and what evidence proves it. Then the file — recognised diplomas, apostilles, certified translations, the lease, proof of funds — and preparation for the consulate filing and interview.
After filing I manage the proceedings: answering supplement requests, watching deadlines, deploying inactivity measures when they slip. On approval I coordinate the arrival and biometrics so the card issue goes smoothly.
Deadlines and pitfalls
Refusals are mostly formal: a lease that does not cover the whole period, funds shown by a one-off transfer “for the certificate”, a purpose that looks contrived. A separate risk is appointment slots at busy consulates — book early and arrive with a file that cannot be sent back.
Frequently asked questions
Can I file my first long-term visa from inside the Czech Republic?
As a rule, no: first long-term visas are filed at a consulate outside the country. The exceptions are narrow (e.g. switching from certain residence titles). I verify which route is open to you at the consultation, before anything is filed.
Can my family apply together with me?
Yes — via family reunification, either alongside your application or once your status is granted. Spouse and children need apostilled, translated proof of kinship; the accommodation must meet the size requirements for everyone.
How much money must I show for a long-term visa?
The amount tracks the subsistence minimum and the length of stay; business and study are calculated differently. What matters is a stable balance, not a one-off transfer “for the certificate” — the OAMP filters those out. I will calculate the exact figure for your purpose.
Do documents need apostilles and translations?
Foreign documents generally yes: an apostille (or superlegalisation) plus a certified Czech translation. Treaty countries enjoy exceptions — I verify per country, since unnecessary stamps cost both time and money.
What happens if a document is missing from the file?
The authority sends a supplement request with a deadline and the proceedings pause; silence leads to discontinuation. That is why the file is built with a margin before filing — every request adds a month or two.
Contact
- Address
- Konviktská 291/24, Staré Město, 110 00 Praha 12 minutes' walk from Národní třída (metro B, trams)
- Phone
- +420 700 000 000
- kancelar@advokatpopov.cz
- Data box
- [data box ID]
- Consultations
- Mon–Fri 9.00–18.00in person, online or by phone — by appointment