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Student visa

Studying in the Czech Republic as a non-EU citizen: the visa, the residence permit, a trade license next to your studies and the graduate shortcut to business.

What counts as study

A student visa or permit is for an accredited programme at a university, language or professional preparation for such a programme, or secondary or higher vocational study in an exchange programme (§ 64 of the Act on the Residence of Foreigners). Internships and volunteering have their own rules (the "other education" visa).

Long-term visa for study

  • Up to 1 year. Apply in person at a Czech embassy or consulate.
  • Consular fee 2,500 CZK; an extension in CZ costs 1,000 CZK.
  • Documents: the application form, passport, photo, proof of accommodation, proof of money for the stay (or that an institution covers your costs), the original confirmation of study or admission, parental consent for under-18s, and a criminal record extract from your home country (from age 15). Comprehensive health insurance before the visa is put in your passport.
  • Register with the foreign police within 3 working days after arrival.

Ministry: study visa.

Long-term residence permit for study

  • Up to 1 year, or up to 2 years in cases set by law. A biometric card.
  • Fee 2,500 CZK. Extension: no earlier than 120 days and no later than the last day of validity, decided within 60 days.
  • Students have free access to the labour market: you can work without a work permit.
  • Coming from another EU country with a study permit there? You can study here for up to 1 year without a visa, or apply with that document.

Ministry: residence for study.

Trade license while you study

You can get a trade license as a student, as long as studying remains the main purpose of your stay. Many students do: it lets you build a business and show income before you switch. Your checklist: required documents.

After graduation: the shortcut to business

Normally you can change the purpose of your stay to business only after more than 5 years. Graduates of a Czech university have a shortcut:

  • With a study permit and a completed accredited bachelor's, master's or doctoral programme at a Czech university, you can apply for the long-term residence for job search or starting a business (hledání zaměstnání nebo zahájení podnikatelské činnosti).
  • It is valid for up to 9 months and cannot be extended. Fee 2,500 CZK. Apply in person at the Ministry of the Interior while your study permit is still valid.
  • You can work and run a business freely during those 9 months.
  • From this permit you can apply for the long-term residence for business without the 5-year waiting time.

Ministry: job search or starting a business. Plan this with us before your studies end: once your study permit expires, the shortcut is gone.

Source: the information portal of the Czech Ministry of the Interior, ipc.gov.cz, Visa and residence permit types, checked in October 2026. The rules change regularly; the ministry page is leading. Sample pictures of all documents: Vzory dokladů vydávaných cizincům (PDF).