HOW TO FILE THE STUDENT VISA APPLICATION, kindly read carefully and follow these steps:

1. Territorial jurisdiction

Where to apply?

You should contact the Consulate in Chicago if your residence - permanent home address is in one of the state below.

Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wisconsin

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2. Schedule an appointment

If you live in the jurisdiction of the Consulate so you are eligible to submit your application at the Consulate in Chicago.

You shall appear in person at your appointment to submit your application, even if you’re under 18. Anyway, the standard acceptance of applications from US citizens without submitting an application in person does not mean that the Consulate will not be able to additionally summon these applicants to the Consulate for an interview.

Personal submission of the application is still the preferred option; it is up to the applicant.

Please make sure to schedule an appointment far in advance. If you are applying for visas for multiple people, make a separate appointment for each person. Don't take anyone with you to the Consulate during visa interview.

Send your appointment requests and inquiries by e-mail ONLY (chicago.visa@mzv.gov.cz)

Email your request along with completely and accurately filled out Personal Information Form (DOCX, 13 KB) to schedule an appointment.

Be sure to request a semi-specific time; “next week”, “the week of October 1”, etc. This will make it easier for the consular officer to check the schedule within the regular office hours. Book at least 2 weeks in advance and consider coming in the morning due to our opening hours.

The Consulate reserves the right to respond to an email within 10 working days.

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3. Types of visa

After receiving the confirmation letter from your university and subsequently being accepted to a Czech university, you can proceed to submit your visa application either personally at the General Consulate or by mail. Please note that processing of applications submitted in person is faster than applications sent by mail.

It is highly advisable to initiate the visa application process well in advance of your intended travel to Czechia, as processing times can extend up to 120 days due to various reasons. Therefore, it is strongly recommended to refrain from making any concrete travel arrangements, such as purchasing tickets, during the visa processing period.

Please note, the General Consulate is unable to expedite the visa process, as the approval process and final decisions are made by the relevant authorities in the Czech Republic. Consequently, we strongly encourage applicants to submit their applications on time.

For status updates, please visit the website of the Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic at https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/status-of-your-application.aspx. If your application number does not appear on the website, it indicates that your visa is still being processed. Kindly bear in mind the visa processing times when checking your application status. Please be aware that no status updates on long-term visa applications will be given by the Consulate (neither by mail nor phone).

The passport remains at the Consulate during the entire process of visa proceeding. If you need your passport during the visa process, you can withdraw it personally prior scheduled appointment or send us a written request and a prepaid self-addressed USPS envelope. Secure a tracking number of your envelope for the future tracking. Your passport can be returned back to you ONLY upon receiving the written request and prepaid envelope. The passport must be re-submitted to our Consulate again for the issuance of the visa.

Application submission	Local processing in Chicago	Processing in Czechia	Passport pick up/ Post delivery
in Person upon appointment	E-application processed immediately on the appointment day Originals of physical documents dispatched to Czechia within 2 weeks from the appointment day	60 days for study purpose 90 days for other purpose	When your visa application has been approved you will receive an email or a phone call from the consular officer and then you'll be able to schedule an appointment for passport pick up asap.
by Mail	Checking received documents and processing of the e-application may take up to 2 weeks from the day we have received your application Originals of documents dispatched to Czechia within 2-4 weeks from the day we have received your application Please note, dealing with incomplete applications and with applicants may take up to additional 30 days from the day we have received your application	60 days for study purpose 90 days for other purpose	When your visa application has been approved and you have submitted a self-addressed prepaid USPS envelope you'll receive your passport within 2 weeks from the approval (within USA only, not internationally).

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5. Required documents

Lodge the application presenting required and supporting documents

General information

A visa interview is a moment where you meet with the consular officer directly as a visa applicant. At the same time, you need to present all the visa required documents, as your consular officer asks for them in an orderly. During a visa appointment, the officer also makes you question about the application, as well as personal ones which you have to answer carefully and truthfully.

(!) Please submit originals and copies of all supporting documents.

All documents must be submitted in original or as a notarized copy made from the orginal and with one plain photocopy thereof, which means that one application file contains two complete sets of documents.

(!) Incomplete applications may not be accepted and must be returned to the applicant.

Documents that are not issued in Czech or English must be submitted together with a translation (except the passport).

Not all documents (except travel document) may be older than 180 days.

The Consulate shall not assume any responsibility for lost or damaged documentation.

 

EACH APPLICANT MUST SUBMIT THE FOLLOWING DOCUMENTS IN ORDER FROM 5.1. TO 5.8.  EXACTLY AS FOLLOWS:

5.1. Original & one (1) copy of completed application form

Here you find the visa application form in Word document: Application for Long-term Visa

To complete the form correctly, please view the SAMPLE. Form must be filled in completely and legibly in BLOCK CAPITAL LETTERS with a blue (do not use red or black ink) ball point pen or on a typewriter. Use European format "DD MM YYYY" for calendar dates. Write neatly to avoid ambiguity, e.g. between number zero and letter "O", or number one and letter "I".

Please do not forget to include your phone number and e-mail for future reference.

Remember to insert date and to sign at the bottom of the last page (items "Place and date" and "Applicant's Signature").

The applicant is obligated to sign the completed visa application form in front of the visa officer on the day of his scheduled in-person appointment at the Consulate.

If you decide to submit your visa application by mail, a notary public must verify the signature on the last page of the application.

 

5.2. Original & two (2) copies of passport

You must submit the ORIGINAL OF YOUR PASSPORT regardless of whether you submit the application in person or send it by mail.

You also must submit two (2) copies of data page of the passport. The data page contains passport bearer's photograph and personal details, information on the date of issue, validity and issuing authority of the passport, etc.
If the signature of passport bearer is featured on a different page, submit two plain copies of this page as well.

(!) Non-US citizens must further submit two plain copies of documents proving their legal status in the US:

valid US visa (type A, E, F /plus endorsed I-20, F-1, DS-2019 or IAP-66/, G, H, I, J /plus J1 document/, L, O, R), or valid Alien Registration Card (Green Card - copy front side only).

Long-term US citizens (who are also non-US citizens) will only be able to apply for a long-term visa if they have resided legally and continuously in the US for at least two (2) years (!)

 

The applicant shall present a valid travel document satisfying the following criteria:

Its validity must exceed your intended stay by at least 3 months (after the visa expires) and the passport must have been issued within the last 10 years. Must contain the signature of passport bearer;

Make sure that your passport has at least two blank pages (for affixing visa and administrative purposes).

 

5.3. Original of two (2) recent passport photo

See specimen photos.

Photo 1: Glue it onto the upper right corner of page one of the visa application form. Do not staple or tape over the photo.
Photo 2: Write down your surname in BLOCK CAPITAL letters on the reverse, and insert the photo loosely inside your passport.

 

5.4. Original & copy of proof of adequate financial means

It is necessary to prove the availability of financial funds exceeding the minimum required amount in the Czech Republic.

One (1) of the following possibilities may prove documents confirming applicants’ sufficient financial resources:

(A) "debit/credit card" AND applicant's "bank account statement", or
(B) "debit/credit card" AND "bank reference letter", or
(C) "debit/credit card" AND "letter from a family member confirming the financial support" AND family member's "bank account statement", or
(D) "debit/credit card" AND "financial guarantee".

(!) See below for specifications of the documents to be submitted.
 

"debit/credit card":
- A currently valid, internationally recognised debit OR credit card.
- The name of of the cardholder must match name of the visa applicant. Anonymous or nameless cards are not acceptable.
- The debit/credit card must be issued by the same bank for which the "bank account statement" (or the "bank reference letter") is submitted.
- Submit one notarized copy of the card AND one plain photocopy of the notarized copy.
- For the copies: Make sure that applicant's name, the name of the issuing bank and the card validity date are clearly visible; part of the card number and the enitre card security code (CVV number) may be hidden for security.

"bank account statement":
- Only checking AND/OR savings bank accounts are acceptable; credit accounts are not acceptable.
- The bank account must be kept in the applicant's name (or in the name of the sponsoring family member); joint account ownership is permitted.
- Obtain one regular bank account statement (most recent, or up to 5 months old), provided the ending balance meets the required amount of financial resources. If the ending balance is lower, wait for and submit the next regular bank statement, OR provide a "bank reference letter" instead.
- Only original statements sent from the bank to clients by regular mail on paper OR statements issued by the bank as locked PDF files are acceptable; printshots of account details from online banking (made by the applicant or the bank clerk) are not acceptable.
- Submit the statement printed on paper (scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable), AND one plain photocopy thereof.

"letter from a family member confirming the financial support":
- The template (form Sponsor (PDF, 125 KB)) may be used (no translation is required as the form is bilingual) AND the signature of the sponsor must be notarized (an individual acknowledgement).
- Other free forms for confirmation of a family member's financial support must be provided with a notarized signature AND, if not written in Czech, with a certified translation into the Czech language.
- Family member's bank account statement must be presented (see "bank account statement" for specifications).
- Submit the original document with notarized signature (e-mailed, scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable), the certified translation (if applicable), AND one plain photocopy of these documents, PLUS two plain photocopies of a valid ID that confirms full name and and date of birth of the sponsor (e.g. data page of passport or front side of a US driving license).

"bank reference letter":
- The letter from the bank must refer to
(A) bank account(s) kept in applicant's name (joint account ownership is permitted; only references to checking and savings bank accounts are acceptable; credit accounts are not acceptable), OR
(B) funds (loan, security) that the applicant has secured from the bank to cover the costs associated with his/her stay.
- The document must clearly indicate the total balance that the applicant is free to use during the stay in the Czech Republic.
- The document must clearly indicate the issuing bank, and the signature, name, position and contact details of the issuing bank clerk.
- If not written in Czech, the document must be provided with a certified translation into the Czech language.
- Submit the original document (e-mailed, scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable), AND the certified translation (if applicable), AND one plain photocopy thereof.

"financial guarantee":
- A confirmation issued by a state authority, or by a US or Czech school that all of the costs of student’s stay in the Czech Republic will be fully covered.
- If not written in Czech, the document must be provided with a certified translation into the Czech language.
- Submit the original document (e-mailed, scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable) with notarized signature, AND the certified translation (if applicable), AND one plain photocopy thereof.
(!) This instrument cannot be used for an application for a long-term visa for the purpose of stay "other".

 

For the purposes of a long-term visa (apart from the purpose of business), a foreign national is obliged to prove the availability of funds that are 15 times the amount of the existential minimum (in accordance with the Government Regulation No. 436/2022 Coll., as of January 1^st, 2023 the following minimum is equal to 3 130 CZK) for the first month and double the amount of existential minimum for every month afterwards, i.e. for instance, for a stay from January 1^st until June 30^th it would be (15 * 3 130) + (5 * 2 * 3 130) = 46 950 + 31 300 = 78 250 CZK.

A foreign national under 18 years proves the availability of half the amount.

Please note that the existential minimum is established by the Czech law, in CZK, and can be changed every year and the amount in USD may change according to the exchange rate.

 

5.5. Original & copy of  proof establishing the purpose of the stay

The original or notarized copy of confirmation of enrolment into studies issued by a Czech university (Acceptance/Admission Letter) must be submitted. This document must be in the Czech language.

Document of the purpose of stay, see website of the Ministry of Interior (e-mailed, scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable).

 

5.6. Original & copy of proof of accommodation

One of the following possibilities may prove documents confirming applicants’ accommodation:

A) Original letter/document issued by a Czech University or school verifying the accommodation for the duration of applicants' studies, or

B) Original rental/lease agreement, sub-letting contract, accommodation agreement or an agreement with similar content, or

C) Original accommodation statement from the owner of an apartment/house stating his/her ability and willingness to provide applicant´s accommodation for the time of stay (signature must be notarized by a Czech notary),

D) Original/notarized copy of the lease contract in the case of a sublet and an affidavit signed by the owner confirming the sublet (signature must be notarized by a Czech notary)

 

For more information about the Proof of accommodation, please visit the website of Minisrty of Interior of Czech Republic.

Important notes

The original or a notarized copy of any of the mentioned documents must be submitted together with your application (e-mailed, scanned or faxed versions are not acceptable).

The documents confirming your accommodation must be in the Czech language.

A document confirming the accommodation cannot be a part of the acceptance letter. It has to be submitted separately.

 

5.7. Original & copy of criminal history background

US citizens:

US citizens 15 years and older are required to submit a Criminal History Affidavit (PDF, 167 KB) confirming that they have never been indicted and sentenced for a felony of any kind.

If you are submitting your application by mail, your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public. If you decide to come in person to the Consulate, you shall sign the Affidavit in front of the Consular Officer and he'll make a photocopy for documentation at the Consulate on the day of your appointment.

In addition upon request from the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic during processing of your application you may be obliged to submit:

• US citizens: If you have lived in any other country besides the USA for 6 months or longer in the previous three years, you are required to submit an Excerpt from Criminal History Record issued by that country.

 

Non US citizens:

1. You need to submit a Criminal History Record from the home country with the appropriate verification (Apostille/superlegalisation) with the translation into the Czech language of whole document including Apostille.
2. Criminal History Record issued by the official authority (it means from the FBI) with the appropriate verification (Apostille) with the translation into the Czech language of whole document.

 

5.8. Travel medical insurance

More details concerning travel medical insurance are available on the website of the Ministry of Interior of Czechia:

https://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/travel-medical-insurance-during-a-stay-longer-than-90-days.aspx

List of insurance corporations:

https://www.cnb.cz/en/statistics/money_and_banking_stat/lists-of-institutions-for-purposes-of-monetary-and-financial-statistics/list-of-insurance-corporations/

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6. Visa application fee

For the visa fee, please click here -> Current Visa Fees 

Visa fees are non-refundable.

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7.  Post delivery

If the applicant would like the Consulate to send the applicants' passport back by mail during or after the visa process, the applicant needs to take this steps:

If you would like us to mail your passport back after the visa application process or if you require your passport during the visa application process,  you may personally withdraw it.

(!) Alternatively, the Consulate can dispatch your passport upon request AS A COURTESY (!)

To arrange this, send us your written request along with a certified prepaid self-addressed USPS envelope with sufficient stamp or an already prepaid label to the address below, ensuring it has a tracking number for future reference. FEDEX & UPS are not accepted and we will not be able to dispatch your passport.

We recommend the USPS Overnight service
USPS Priority Mail Express Flat Rate Envelope - EP13F

For more information visit https://www.usps.com/

 

Please note that your passport will ONLY be returned to you upon receiving a written request together with the USPS self-addressed prepaid envelope within USA, not internationally. In a case of requesting your passport during the visa process, please keep in mind that after visa issuance (visa application has been approved by the Ministry of Interior), the passport must be resubmitted to our Consulate for visa stamping. 

For future tracking we suggest you to make a record of the tracking number. We do not take note of tracking numbers and we are not able to answer any questions regarding tracking your envelope! It is our courtesy not responsibility.

      

       Address of the Consulate you should send all visa related correspondence:

       General Consulate of the Czech Republic

        Visa Section
        205 N Michigan Ave, Suite 1680
        Chicago, IL 60601

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Useful links

Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic

Ministry of Interior of the Czech Republic

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