Change of the Purpose of Residence
If you hold a long-term residence permit and you wish to reside in the Czech Republic for a different purpose, you must apply for a new long-term residence permit. This procedure may be subject to specific rules1.
What does changing the purpose mean and how does it work?
For example, if you hold a long-term residence permit for sports purposes and you want to apply for a long-term residence permit for family purposes, you must apply for a new long-term residence permit. The procedure differs from application for an extension of a long-term residence permit for the same purpose.
- You must submit the application only in person at a Ministry of the Interior office.
- You can submit the application at any time before an expiration of your current residence permit2.
- The processing period for this application is 60 days.
What are the restrictions on changing the purpose of residence?
- You may apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of business only after residing in the Czech Republic for at least 5 years. This does not apply if:
- you hold a long-term visa for the purpose of business, or
- you hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business, or
- you entered the Czech Republic for the purpose of family reunification and you hold a long-term residence permit for this purpose (more information below).
- You may apply for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of seeking employment or starting a business only if you hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies in an accredited university study programme or for the purpose of scientific research, and your studies or research are nearing its end.
- If you entered the Czech Republic for the purpose of family reunification and you hold a long-term residence permit for this purpose, you may apply for a residence permit for a different purpose after residing in the Czech Republic for 3 years or after reaching 18 years of age. The exceptions are as follows:
- You may apply for a long-term residence permit for a different purpose if you are a surviving family member of a family reunification residence permit holder and you had been residing continuously in the Czech Republic for at least 2 years on the date of their death; or if the death occurred as a result of a work-related injury or occupational disease.
- You may also apply for a long-term residence permit for a different purpose in the event of a divorce, provided that you had been residing in the Czech Republic for at least 3 years on the date of the divorce.
- If you hold a long-term residence permit for the purpose of tolerated stay, you may apply for a long-term residence permit for a different purpose provided that you have been residing continuously in the Czech Republic for at least 3 years.