HOW TO GET A WORK VISA TO THE CZECH REPUBLIC
The Czech Republic's favorable geographical location in the central part of Europe allows it to develop stable trade relations with other members of the European Union and keep its economy afloat. Unlike many other post-communist countries, the local government has managed to carry out successful reforms, preserve strategic industries, balance the financial system and create a favorable investment climate. Today it is quite realistic to run a profitable business in the Czech Republic.
In recent years, labor migration to the Czech Republic of job seekers from abroad has increased significantly. Citizens of Ukraine are especially active in searching for vacancies in the Czech labor market. For legal employment in the Czech Republic, foreigners from third countries must undergo a number of procedures, in particular, to obtain a visa. On how to get a work visa to the Czech Republic for foreigners in 2025 we will talk further. We will outline all the important details and requirements.
CONTENTS
Registration of a work visa to the Czech Republic
First a few words about the advantages and opportunities for employment in the Czech Republic. It is necessary to emphasize the amazingly beautiful Czech cities, comfortable climate and reasonable prices. In addition, the Czech Republic has a low (for the EU) unemployment rate, which does not exceed 4%.
The average salary in 2025 after taxes is about 1,435 euros per month. Experienced professionals can expect salaries in the Czech Republic of 1,500-2,000 euros and higher. The minimum wage is 830 euros.
The diversity of the Czech labor market allows foreigners to find work in many fields of activity. Qualified engineers, construction workers, medical workers and IT specialists have good chances. Lower-paid jobs are offered in the tourism industry.
Sometimes unskilled labor is required – nannies, caregivers, maids, movers, salesmen, bartenders and so on. But it is very difficult to get a work visa to the Czech Republic for such positions.
Important. Priority right to employment in the Czech Republic have local residents, citizens of the EU, EEA and Switzerland. Only if there are no candidates among these categories, the workplace can be occupied by an applicant from third countries.
Procedure for obtaining a work visa to the Czech Republic
The process of hiring employees of foreign origin is regulated by the legislative and regulatory acts of the Czech Republic. In particular, the Labor Code, the Employment Act and the Act on the Residence of Foreigners in the Czech Republic.
The authorities responsible for issuing work permits and work visas are the Regional Office of the Department of Employment of the Ministry of Labor and Social Policy and the Immigration Office of the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic, respectively.
In general terms, the procedure for legal labor migration to the Czech Republic is as follows:
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The applicant finds an open job on the Czech labor market.
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The applicant contacts the employer and has an interview.
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Details are discussed and an employment contract is signed.
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A work permit is issued and a work visa is opened.
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The foreign worker arrives and receives a residence permit in the Czech Republic (employee card, blue card).
At first glance there is nothing complicated, but in fact there are a lot of pitfalls and requirements. A work visa to the Czech Republic for foreigners becomes available only after a complete absence of applicants for a vacancy among Czechs and Europeans for at least a month.
In this case, the workplace is in the public domain and actively advertised. In addition, the employer is obliged to guarantee a foreigner the level of salary and working conditions on equal terms with Czech citizens.
Not every company in the Czech Republic is willing to spend time and bear other risks associated with hiring a foreign applicant. In short, the employer must be very interested in the skills of the foreigner, who, in turn, must have sufficient qualifications and level of education.
Great competition makes the task even more difficult. Sometimes special quotas for workers from third countries save the day, which allow specialists in professions that are scarce for the Czech economy to obtain a work visa to the Czech Republic relatively quickly and easily.
Ways of labor migration to the Czech Republic
Work permit and work visa
In order to apply for a work visa to the Czech Republic, you must first obtain a special work permit from the regional office of the Employment Department. This is a requirement for applicants who are not required to obtain a work card (employee card) or do not have a Blue Card in the Czech Republic. For example, for seasonal employment for up to 6 months during the year or temporary work for up to 3 months under a contract.
The application in writing is submitted by the foreigner personally, by a representative by power of attorney or by the employer. The last option is the most optimal. The period of validity of the work permit is similar to the duration of the contract, but not more than 2 years with the right to extend it. The cost of registration is 500 CZK. The document is strictly tied to the employer, type of activity and workplace. Otherwise, a new permit must be obtained.
Employee card
The most popular way to secure long-term employment in the Czech Republic is to obtain an employee card. This document allows you to stay in the Czech Republic for a longer period of time in order to carry out professional activities. The employee card is tied to the workplace, but with the permission of the immigration department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic is allowed to change employers.
Conditions for obtaining a Czech employee card:
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Contract with a Czech employer.
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Salary not lower than the minimum level in the country (in 2025 – 20,800 korunas per month).
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Employment of at least 15 working hours per week.
Application for a labor card is processed within 2 months. The administration fee is 1,000 korunas. If the decision is positive, the applicant is granted a work visa to the Czech Republic. Within 3 working days after the move in the local branch of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the foreigner's biometric data is taken and a labor card is issued. The cost is 2,500 CZK. The validity of the document is limited by the duration of the contract, but cannot exceed 2 years with the right to extend it.
Blue Card
Foreign workers with good education, extensive work experience and qualification level can try to get a Blue Card to the Czech Republic. The document combines the right to employment and stay in the country. The foreigner's profession must be in high demand.
Conditions for obtaining a Blue Card in the Czech Republic:
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Higher education.
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Labor contract for 1 year or more.
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A salary of at least 1.5 times the annual average for the country.
The cost, terms of issuance and procedure of moving to the Czech Republic for the purpose of registration of the Blue Card are the same as in the case of a labor card (see above).
Documents for a work visa to the Czech Republic
To apply for a work visa to the Czech Republic, the applicant must register in a special Visapoint system (pre-registration) and then personally submit the list of required documents to the Czech Consulate in his/her country.
Until recently, any foreigner planning to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days had to apply for a long-term visa (type D). It did not matter whether it was to study at a Czech university, to work, to organize a business or for other reasons.
Since mid-2014, the Czech authorities have made certain changes to the legislation and now the long-term visa for the purpose of employment in the Czech Republic is nominally not issued. This document was replaced by a labor card.
In general, the procedure from these innovations has not changed much. It is still necessary to first open a visa, and after the move is issued a biometric labor card with the right to reside in the Czech Republic.
Standard list of documents for a work visa to the Czech Republic in 2025:
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Completed visa application form.
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A passport issued within the last 10 years and valid for at least 90 days beyond the visa expiration date.
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Two color photographs (35 x 45 mm). Write your first and last name on the back in Latin letters.
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Birth and marriage certificate (if available).
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Health insurance with 30 thousand euros coverage (sometimes not required).
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Certificate of no criminal record in the country of residence or in another state where the applicant has been permanently present for six months in the last 36 months.
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Documentary evidence of the grounds for issuing a visa (work permit, employment contract, official letter from the employer).
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Information about the availability of a place to live in the Czech Republic (copy of a rental agreement or a notarized letter from the owner of the apartment with a guarantee of providing accommodation to the foreigner).
Important. The cost (visa fee) of a long-term visa to the Czech Republic (type D) is 2,500 CZK (105 EUR).
All documentation is provided in the original, and copies are notarized. At the same time, if the document is issued in the Czech Republic, a stamp of a local notary is required. After a preliminary check, the diplomatic staff transfers the application and documents for a work visa to the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic.
Each application is considered separately and after processing is forwarded back to you. The procedure can take up to 4 months. Often foreigners are invited to the Consulate for an interview or to clarify information. Once a positive decision is made, a work visa to the Czech Republic is issued within 3 days.
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