Processing periods

A processing period is the span of time within which you can exercise a right or you must fulfil an obligation. This period is most frequently calculated in days. If the last day of the processing period falls on a Saturday, Sunday or a bank holiday, the processing period will end on the closest following workday. If there is any doubt concerning processing period fulfilment, the processing period is considered to be fulfilled unless proven otherwise.

Processing periods a foreigner must fulfil

Processing periods are stipulated by the law —⁠ for example, the processing periods for application submissions, reports of changes, or appeals. Other processing periods are set by an administrative authority — for example, deadlines for adding documents to an application or corrections of errors. These are most frequently set in the form of notifications.

How processing period set by a notification works?

A processing period set by a notification starts the day after the collection of the notification.

Can a processing period be extended?

If the processing period was set by the Ministry in a notification, you can apply for an extension period in person at a Ministry of the Interior office, send the application via post, Data Box or e-mail with a recognized electronic signature, or you can submit it through a legal representative.

You can only apply for an extension of processing period before the processing period expires. If you decide to send the application for extension by post, do so in due time. The posting (via post) or sending (via e-mail or Data Box) date is considered as the date of submission.

Processing periods the Ministry must fulfil

The processing periods, within which the Ministry must process residence permit applications, are stipulated in the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals and, if applicable, in the Administrative Procedure Code.

If the administrative procedure is suspended or if there is a legal reason for it, the processing period stops running. This happens on the first day on which a reason for suspension of the administrative procedure arises. At the same time, the processing period of the administrative procedure shall not end sooner than 15 days from the day on which the suspension period of the administrative procedure ended. This is also applied if the procedure was suspended when the remaining time of the processing period was less than 15 days.

What are the basic processing periods for administrative procedures?

Type of application	Submitted at a Diplomatic Mission office	Submitted in person within the Czech Republic	Submitting in Czechia via post	Submitting in Czechia via Data Box or e-mail with an advanced electronic signature	Legal source
Visa for a stay shorter than 90 days	15 days from the application submission	x	x	x	Art. 23 Visa Code
Visa for a stay longer than 90 days	90–120 days from the application submission	x	x	x	§ 169t Art. 2 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Visa for a stay longer than 90 days for the purpose of studies, teaching and scientific research or seasonal employment	60 days from the application submission	x	x	x	§ 169t Art. 2 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of visa validity and of duration of a residence permit longer than 90 days	x	14 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 4 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for a resident of another EU member state	120 days from the application submission	120 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 a) point 5. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification	270 days from the application submission	270 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 a) point 6. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research, for family member of scientific research worker	60 days from the application submission	60 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 a) point 2. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Blue card	90 days from the application submission	90 days from the application submission; if you are holder of a blue card issued by another member state and apply for a blue card in the Czech Republic, the period is 30 days	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 e) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit for a blue card family member for the purpose of family reunification, or for the purpose of investment	90 days from the application submission	90 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 a) point 4. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Employee card	60 days from the application submission; 90 days in particularly complex cases or when the Ministry of the Interior askes for a binding opinion of the Labour Office	60 days from the application submission; 90 days in particularly complex cases or when the Ministry of the Interior askes for a binding opinion of the Labour Office	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 d) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Long-term residence permit applied for within the Czech Republic	x	60 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 a) point 1. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of a long-term residence permit for the same purpose	x	60 days from the application submission	60 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	60 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	§ 169t Art. 6 i) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Registration Certificate of temporary residence of an EU	x	30 days from the application submission	30 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	30 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	§ 71 Law no. 500/2004 Coll.
Temporary residence permit of an EU citizen family member	x	60 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 g) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of Temporary residence permit of an EU citizen family member	x	60 days from the application submission	60 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	60 days from the application delivery to the Ministry of the Interior	§ 169t Art. 6 g) Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Permanent residence permit	180 days from the application submission	180 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 6 h) points 1., 2., 3. Law no. 326/1999 Coll.
Extension of Visa for a Stay Longer than 90 Days for the Purpose of Tolerated Stay	x	30 days from the application submission	x	x	§ 169t Art. 4 Law no. 326/1999 Coll.