General information
24.05.2023 / 01:56 | Aktualizováno: 29.05.2024 / 18:25
Third countries´ nationals who are not exempted from visa duty may apply for a Schengen visa on condition they reside in Canada (they have either a permanent residence permit or a long-term residence permit that is valid for at least three months after the expected expiration date of their Schengen visa).
The validity period of a Schengen visa can be a maximum of five years. A Schengen visa entitles its holder to stay in the Schengen area for a maximum of 90 days during any 180-day period.
The 180-day period within which the applicant may apply for a 90-day stay in the Schengen area is calculated from each day of the foreigner's planned stay in the Schengen area retroactively (i.e. the calculation of the possible days of stay is made in the 180 days immediately preceding each day of stay).
To determine the exact number of days the applicant can apply for, in case he/she has already travelled to the Schengen area recently, an Schengen calculator can also be used, where it is possible to enter the relevant information (requested date of entry, previous stays in the from-to format), based on which it is possible to determine exactly how many days the applicant can stay in Schengen as at a certain date.
Calculator for calculating the permitted length of stay in the Schengen area. The page also contains a manual on how to use the application.
The same calculation of the possible length of stay in the Schengen area also applies to foreigners travelling to the Schengen area on a visa-free basis.
An application for a Schengen visa is always assessed and, if applicable, a visa is granted taking into account the applicant's previous stays in the Schengen area and based on the supporting documents submitted.
Jurisdiction of the embassy
The Embassy of the Czech Republic will accept a Schengen (short-stay) visa application only if the Czech Republic has the competence to decide on it. The Czech Republic is the competent authority, if the sole or main destination of the trip is on its territory or, if the main destination cannot be determined and the trip is to several Schengen area countries, the stay in the Czech Republic will be the longest or, if the above-mentioned rule cannot be followed, the first country visited within the Schengen area.
If the Czech Republic is not competent authority, the consular officer has the right to refer you to the embassy of another competent Schengen state.
Local jurisdiction rules
Please note that applicants are required to respect the local jurisdiction rules when registering to apply, as the Consular Section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Ottawa normally only accepts applicants who are residing in Canada within its consular jurisdiction. Applicants holding a residence permit within the consular jurisdiction of the Consulate General of the Czech Republic in Toronto are required to apply at the Consulate General.
Deadlines for decision
According to the Visa Code, an application for a 90-day visa is usually processed within 15 days, but in exceptional cases, this deadline may be extended to 45 days.
The application must be made at least 15 days before the planned travel, if it is made later, the consulate has the authority to refuse it. An application submitted at a later date may not be processed in time.
Visa requirements
In Canada, the embassies of the Schengen States apply the so-called harmonized list of supporting documents that each applicant is required to submit with his or her Schengen visa application. The aim of this measure is to harmonise local visa practices.
In general, the supporting documents must not be older than 180 days, with the exception of the travel document, vital statistics documents, a photograph, if it corresponds to the current actual resemblance, and a valid invitation letter certified by the foreign police.
The Czech Police may request the supporting documents in support of a visa application or proof of health insurance at the time of passport entry control.
Schengen visa application form
The application is submitted on the official Schengen visa application form available at the embassy or electronically. Another Schengen State's form can also be used. The form must be filled in completely and legibly, in roman characters, in large block letters. An illegible or incomplete form will be returned for revision or completion.
Photo
A colour photograph (size 3,5x4,5 cm, white background, the frames of the glasses must not cover the eyes), which corresponds to the applicant's current appearance, must be glued to the application in the appropriate box.
Invitation
There are two types of invitation:
1) A formal invitation certified by the locally competent inspectorate of the Foreign Police is valid for the entire period of its validity, it replaces some of the required supporting documents and it can be used repeatedly. Through it a natural or legal person may commit to paying the costs of the following during the period of stay in the Czech Republic until departure from the Czech Republic:
- the foreigner's sustenance;
- the foreigner's accommodation;
- the provision of medical care, or the transport of a sick person or the remains of a deceased person;
- the foreigner's stay and his/her departure.
Please note that the maximum number of days in the 'number of days' box can be '90', even in the case of an invitation valid for several years.
2) "Ordinary" invitation – only serves as proof of the purpose of the stay
Visa fee
Please note that with effect from June 11, 2024, the Schengen visa fee for adults will increase from €80 to €90 and for children aged 6 to 12 from €40 to €45 (the amount in Canadian dollars will be available in the table under the article Consular fees as of June 11).
Travel of children without parents
If a child under the age of 18 travels to the Czech Republic accompanied by one parent, it is necessary to present a notarised consent of the other parent to the child's travel, a copy of his/her travel passport and an original of a child's birth certificate).
If a child under the age of 18 travels to the Czech Republic without his/her parents, a notarised consent of both parents is required together with a copy of their travel passport and an original of a child's birth certificate.
Extension of the validity of a Schengen (short-term) visa
An extension of the validity period of a Schengen (short-term) visa can be applied for in exceptional and justified cases at the locally competent inspectorate of the Foreign Police. The application must be submitted no earlier than 30 days and no later than 3 days before the expiry of the period of authorised stay specified in the visa. The period of stay cannot be extended if there are no valid reasons for extending the period of stay in the territory of the Czech Republic or if the reason for the application is a change in the purpose of stay in the territory or if reasons for cancelling the visa have been found.
An application for the extension of a Schengen visa cannot be submitted at an embassy.
Other
If more than one person travels on one travel document (e.g. spouses or a parent with a child under 15 years of age), each person must submit a separate application.