In case you are interested in obtaining permanent residency in the Czech Republic, please read the following information very carefully.

I. Who is eligible to apply for permanent residency?

Permanent residency is granted mainly for the purpose of reuniting a family or for humanitarian reasons. It is possible to apply for permanent residency at the Embassy. In some cases, it is possible to apply in the Czech Republic directly (one of the conditions is at least an eight year-long legal stay).

Residency permit for the purpose of reuniting a family

A foreigner can apply for permanent residency for the purpose of living with a Czech citizen who is a permanent resident in the Czech Republic. The foreigner must be related to the Czech citizen. According to the law, the relation is stated as follows:

- spouse of a Czech citizen;

- foreigner older than 70 years, living alone, who is a parent of an adult Czech citizen (if the foreigner is not married at the time of filing the application);

- minor foreigner in the care of his/her parent (a Czech citizen) after a divorce;

- adult foreigner who is a child of a Czech citizen who is older than 70 years and is living alone ;

- some cases of adopted persons.

II. Which documents are necessary to enclose with your application?

1. The original or a notarized copy of a document proving your relationship to a Czech national ( usually a birth certificate or a marriage certificate).

2. Passport, valid for at least one more year.

3. Three passport size photographs.

4. A document confirming sufficient financial resources for your stay in the Czech Republic. We suggest you enclose an original bank account statement from either a Czech or foreign bank, indicating the present balance, which must be at least 5,000 USD (this amount can change in accordance with the exchange rate).

It is possible to supplement the bank account statement with an official confirmation stating that you will be receiving your social security checks or other financial support during your stay in the Czech Republic. You can also submit an affidavit written by a Czech citizen who will support you in the Czech Republic. In case you would like to prove your sufficient financial resources other way than submitting a bank account statement, please contact the appropriate officer at the respective consular department.

5. A document regarding your accommodation in the Czech Republic

The original statement of the owner of an apartment stating his/her ability and willingness to

provide accommodation for the time of stay /signature of the owner /must be notarized by a Czech notary/. In the case of a lease of an apartment/house, the original or a notarized copy of the lease contract. In the case of an underlease, the original or a notarized copy of the lease contract and affidavit signed by the owner confirming the underlease /signature must be notarized by a Czech notary/.

6. Application for a Criminal History Record issued by the Police in the Czech Republic

It is required to fill out the form /your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public/. With this application please submit a copy of your Birth Certificate (not necessary for children 15 years of age or younger).

7a An affidavit, confirming that you have never been charged by indictment and sentenced for a crime of any kind /your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public/ (not necessary for children 15 years of age or younger).

7b. For non US nationals only: The Criminal History Record from the country of your nationality.

7c. In addition, if, during the last three years, you have lived in any country for 6 months or more, please contact the Embassy.

8. A processing fee + 200,- CZK (application for the Criminal History Record issued by the Czech Police).

9. A stamped (pre-paid), self-addressed envelope (Certified or Express Mail). The Embassy is not responsible for any lost or damaged packages.

III. Which important rules are necessary to follow when applying for the residency permit?

! All documents must be presented in the original or notarized copy.

! All documents must be presented with official translation into the Czech language and verified in proper way.

! All affidavits and legal documents written and signed in the Czech Republic must be notarized by a Czech notary.

! Unless otherwise noted (passport, birth or marriage certificate), submitted documents cannot be older than 6 months.

! Always include your address and your phone/fax number on the application.

Translations:

- please note that the Czech Embassy does not provide translation services. The Embassy can only notarize translations for the Czech offices.

IV. What happens after you send your application to the appropriate office?

At first, we will make sure that the application is filled out properly and all the requested documents are enclosed. Incorrectly or insufficiently filled out applications will be returned to the applicant. If a supporting document is missing, we will notify the applicant immediately. It is in your own interest to fill out the application correctly and to enclose all the proper documents. An incomplete application will not be sent to the Czech Republic for further handling. If the application is complete, we will return your passport in the envelope you have provided us with.

It is important to realize that the Embassy (consulate) does not approve the applications, but the final decision is made by the Immigration Police in the Czech Republic. Their offices have the right to request additional documentation. The appropriate department of the Immigration Police will make the decision within 180 days from the date the application was received by the Embassy.

When the application is approved, you will be asked to send your passport once again to the Embassy (consulate), so we can issue a visa for the purpose of receiving a residency permit (the so-called Immigration Visa).

V. What is an Immigration Visa and what is its purpose?

An immigration visa is a special type of visa which enables foreigners to enter the territory of the Czech Republic for the purpose of receiving a residency permit. The immigration visa is valid for 180 days, but you can stay in the Czech Republic using this visa for three days at the most. Within these three days you have to pick up your residency permit at the appropriate office of the Immigration Police. The residency permit is valid for a period of 10 years, and it is possible to extend its validity in the Czech Republic. To have the permit issued, you will have to pay a fee of 1,000 CZK.