General information

Can you apply at our Embassy?

Who may apply

When to apply

How to apply

Appointment - presentation of application

Required documents

Additional documents may be required

Visa decision and document collection

VISA Information System

---

General Information

Important: There is no legal right to be granted a Schengen visa!

The maximum length of your planned stay is 90 days within any 180 days, counting all your applicable previous Schengen visa stays (more information on our website). However, the Schengen visa will be issued for the length of your actual planned stay within the Schengen Area (on the condition that not all afore-mentioned 90 days have been spent).

Schengen area is formed by the following states: Belgium, Croatia, Czechia, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Iceland, Italy, Lithuania, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Hungary, Malta, Germany, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Austria, Greece, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.

According to the Visa Code, Article 24, a uniform visa allows the holder to travel in the entire territory of the Schengen area.

With a Schengen visa, a visitor may stay up to a maximum of 90 days in the Schengen area within a given 180-day period. If the visitor used up all the 90 days, he/she has to leave the Schengen area and may only re-enter after 90 days of being abroad.

The period of authorized stay will correspond to the intended purpose of stay or transit, while respecting the general rules in relation to the length of stay. Previous stays within the territory of a Member State on the basis of a national long-stay visa or a residence permit have no influence on the stays allowed by a uniform visa or a visa with limited territorial validity.

---

Can you apply at our Embassy?

When you plan to travel to Schengen you need to establish which Embassy can accept your application. As listed by importance, the following rules apply by which you may determine at which Embassy or Consulate you should apply for the visa, according to the Visa Code, Article 5:

1. If you intend to visit only one Schengen country, you must apply at the Embassy or Consulate of that particular country.
2. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries, you must apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country which is your main destination - main purpose of stay.
3. If you intend to visit several Schengen countries but do not have a main destination (a main purpose of stay), you should apply for a visa at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where you intend to stay the longest time (if the length of time is the same in each Schengen country then you have to apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the country where is your first point of entry).
4. If you do not need a visa for the Schengen country, which is your main destination or first point of entry, please note that you may require a visa for other Schengen countries you plan on visiting. You should then apply at the Embassy or Consulate of the first Schengen country, which requires you to have a visa.

---

Who may apply

Anyone who is required to have a visa (see the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic or the map on the European Commission's website) in order to visit the Czech Republic and who is, at the same time, legally residing in Singapore.

Applicants who are only staying in Singapore temporarily (e.g. as a tourist or short business trip) are not eligible to apply at this Embassy and must apply in their country of origin or residence, unless they have an exceptional reason (such as medical emergency).

---

When to apply

Application for Schengen visa may be filed within 6 months before the planned trip (it's not possible to submit the application earlier).

Visa appointments are usually set within 14 days from e-mail delivery (see next point).

Visa applications are processed within 15 calendar days beginning on the date of submission. In exceptional cases, the processing period can be extended up to 60 days.

IMPORTANT: It is Therefore recommended not to file a visa application fewer than 15 days before the trip, as it cannot be otherwise guaranteed it will be reviewed in time! Also, due to high demand in some parts of the year the appointment may be given in 15 or more days time since the request sent by e-mail. Please allow sufficient time for this before your intended travel.

Please be aware that no status updates on short term visa applications will be given by the Embassy (neither by mail nor phone). We will contact you when the visa application has been decided on.

---

How to apply

If the Czech Republic is the proper or applicable country to apply (see above), you may request an appointment for visa application submission by e-mail ONLY!

It is the candidate's responsibility to request an appointment only when they are able to present all the required documents and well in advance of their trip.

In the e-mail please include the following scanned documents:

1. proposed travel itinerary
2. passport
3. Singaporean ID card / Work Pass, alternatively: state the reason you apply at our Embassy without being resident in Singapore.

Usually the appointments are given within a 14-day period AFTER all the afore-mentioned 3 requirements have been delivered to the Embassy e-mail. Due to high demand in some parts of the year the appointment may be given in 14 or more days time since the request sent by e-mail. Please allow sufficient time for this before your intended travel.

---

Appointment - presentation of application

All Schengen visa applicants must present their applications in person (INCLUDING CHILDREN), during consulate`s business hours. Upon the decision of the visa officer, an additional visa interview might be performed anytime during the visa process.

For the required documents to present together with your application please see the following section. Only complete Schengen visa application with all submitted requirements (in accordance with the Visa Code) will be filed and processed. Any submitted documents (except travel document) may not be older than 180 days. For further details about requirements, please, see the articles below.

TRANSLATION/INTERPRETATION SERVICES

The communication language of the Czech Embassy during the visa application appointment is Czech or English, including a visa interview. It is the candidate's responsibility to ensure fluent communication in one of these communication languages. The Embassy does not provide translation nor interpretation services, these must be commercially arranged for on the expense of the applicant if they do not understand Czech or English or if the Embassy deems that interpretation is needed because the applicant's grasp of Czech or English is insufficient. All the documents emitted by the Embassy will be in Czech language.

---

Required documents

Each applicant must submit the following:

1. Completed "Application for Schengen Visa". 

• - In English or Czech language.
• - This form can be completed and printed online. We will only file the application with forms from the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Other forms will not be accepted.
• - It is in the applicant's best interests to fill out all the fields with full details, information will be used to support their application. Special attention should be made to contact details for applicant's employer and accommodation.

2. Passport or official travel document

• - The applicant must present a valid travel document satisfying the following criteria:
  • 1) its validity must extend at least three months after the intended date of departure from the territory,
  • 2) it must contain at least two blank pages,
  • 3) it must have been issued within the previous 10 years.
• - IMPORTANT: Passport will be witheld by the Embassy until the decision of the visa unless urgently needed by the applicant!

3. ID card + reentry permit, or other documents proving the legal residential status in Singapore

• - It is irrelevant how long the person has actually stayed in Singapore.
• - the ID card/reentry permit must be valid for 3 months after return

4. One recent passport photo

• - According to the International Civil Aviation Organisation standards:ICAO photo guidelines (PDF, 462 KB)
• - of applicant's entire face, which shows a clear and exact likeness of the applicant (without sunglasses or head covering, unless it is on account of religious or medical reasons). The photo must be taken against a plain, light background with a good contrast in color or black and white. It must be of clear and good quality and printed on regular photographic paper.
• - Photos that do not comply with these standards will not be accepted!
• - Children travelling with their parents on their parent´s passport do need their own visa with a photo (free of charge under 6 years of age). However, applicants must also submit one recent passport size photograph for every child travelling with them. Please make sure that you have enough pages to affix the visas for you and your child(ren).

5. In case of minors (0 - 17 years of age incl.)

• - IMPORTANT: one parent/legal guardian needs to sign the application form INSTEAD OF the minor
• - If the applicant travels without parents or with one parent:
  • - birth certificate or other document proving legal guardianship, and
  • - statement from both parents (this condition shall not apply if there is only a single parent or he/she holds the parental authority alone), or legal guardian authorizing the child to travel. If both parents/legal guardians cannot be present at the application the signature must be legalized.
• - If the applicant travels with both parents who are present at the application submission:
  • - birth certificate or other document proving legal guardianship.

6. Proof of travel arrangements - transport and accommodation

• - Confirmed round-trip flight ticket, travel reservations of other form of transport and full confirmed itinerary in the name of the applicant for all Schengen countries
• - the same documents if the trip covers non-Schengen countries and a proof that the applicant can proceed to the next country after visiting the Schengen countries, i.e. confirmed itinerary / airline reservation and required visa.
• - Evidence of hotel bookings or travel plan for the entire Schengen area:
  • Individuals: confirmed hotel reservations, stating name, address and telephone number of the hotel, including confirmation number.
  • Groups: the certificate of the travel agency mentioning same information as for individuals, or other proof of accommodation (e.g. rental agreement).

7. Proof of sufficient financial resources for the intended journey

• - Please note: It is the applicant's responsibility to prove that he has sufficient financial resources to cover accommodation, food, travel and other expenses related to their intended purpose of stay.
• Examples for the various trip purposes:
• - In case of tourism: e.g. Bank account statement(s) during the last three months and internationally accepted payment card; proof of regular income e.g. pay slips of the last three months;
  • - Bank statements:
    • - must show the name and address of owner(s);
    • - must show income credited to the account;
    • - should show expenses related to the planned travel arrangements.
    • - Electronic printouts are accepted.
• - In case of business, e. g. letter stating that sending/receiving employer pays the expenses
• - If self-employed: tax return from previous fiscal year or proof of previous economic activity and of an income during previous fiscal year;
• - If retired: e.g. copy of pension certificate or a letter of previous employer or a pension check stub or confirmation from the responsible authority about the amount of pension;
• - In case of students/researchers, if applicable, receiving organisation's letter stating that all expenses are fully covered;
• - Letter of continued employment including income statement.
• - In case of minors travelling alone: letter from the sponsor (e.g. parent) about covering the costs with evidence on the existence of the financial coverage (3 months of bank account statements history). The letter must specify how the minor will be able to receive/use the funds.

8. Proof of the purpose of your trip

• - Please note: It is the applicant's responsibility to sufficiently prove the purpose(s) of their travel. All the submitted information must be verifiable preferably by e-mail.
•  
• Examples:

1. tourism: confirmed hotel reservation, invitation letter with verified signature, itinerary etc.;
2. medical treatment: health/medical facility confirmation etc.;
3. business trip: invitation, business relations confirmation, supporting letter from the hosting company;
4. seminar/conference: invitation/ticket for congress, expo, conference, seminar etc.;
5. culture/sport: confirmation about cultural/sport activities in Czechia etc.;
6. study: acceptance letter from the school, registration letter etc. Also, student must produce a proof of enrolment at a Singapore educational institution;
7. scientific research: hosting agreement with a research institution etc.;
8. employment: work permit issued by the Czech Employment Office or employment contract, if the type of work is exempt from the work permit in accordance with Act. No. 435/2004 Coll. on employment or 215/2017 Coll. on exemptions from visa requirement.
9. official invitation authorized by the Czech Alien Police;
   • - the formal invitation replaces some required supporting documents as financial funds and proof of accommodation
   • - the invitation form is submitted in its original by the visa applicant
   • - Guide available: how to invite a foreigner?

9. Travel health insurance covering medical expenses while travelling

• - IMPORTANT: Pay close attention to the details concerning travel medical insurance conditions.
• - IMPORTANT: The document submitted must be verifiable with the institution that issued it by the Embassy using phone or e-mail.

10. Visa fee

• - Visa fees are non-refundable.

11. Fingerprints

• - exception: if you provide proof that your fingeprints were taken in the last 5 years for the reason of Schengen visa application.
• Please note: if for whatever reason the fingerprints do not show in the system, the applicant will be summoned again to the Embassy for fingerprint collection. For this reason, we strongly recommed providing the fingerprints even if you qualify for the afore-mentioned exception.

---

Additional documents may be required

The Visa and Consular Department has full authority to evaluate and request more documents than those submitted by the applicant. The applicant is hereby informed that submitting the aforementioned documents does not guarantee automatic issuance of the visa.

---

Visa decision and document collection

Applicants will be informed by e-mail about the visa decision.

DO NOT CALL before the end of the 15-day processing period, the Embassy will not provide any information on the processing of your application until it is decided upon.

The applicant should collect the passport in person.

A direct family member (parent, husband/wife, brother/sister) can collect on behalf of another direct family member AFTER PROVING THE RELATIONSHIP (i. e. through a birth certificate, marriage certificate, etc.).

The applicant may authorize a third party to collect the travel document with a signed affidavit (ard copy, no need to notarise the signature)

---

VISA Information System

As from 15 May 2014, all Schengen States´ consulates use the Visa Information System (VIS). The VIS is a central database for the exchange of data on short-stay (up to three months) visas between Schengen States. The main purpose of the VIS is to facilitate visa application procedures and checks at external border as well as to enhance security.

The VIS contains all the Schengen visa applications submitted by applicants over the period of last five years including the decisions taken by any Schengen State´s consulate.

For the purpose of the VIS, applicants are required to provide their biometric data - fingerprints- while applying for a Schengen visa. Biometric data, along with the data provided in the Schengen visa application form, will be recorded in the VIS central database.

Therefore, all Schengen visa applicants will have to appear in person at the Embassy when submitting the application, in order to provide their fingerprints. For subsequent applications within 5 years the fingerprints can be copied from the previous application file in the VIS.

Exemptions from the fingerprinting requirement are provided for:

- children under the age of twelve,

- persons for whom the collection of fingerprints is physically impossible,

- heads of State, members of the national Governments, sovereigns, members of a royal family (under specific conditions).

---

Useful links

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• Visa Code