Long-term Residence – General Information
A long-term residence permit is a residence permit intended for third country nationals who want to reside in the Czech Republic for a specific purpose for more than one year.
Who can apply for the residence permit?
A long-term residence permit is always issued for a specific purpose. You can apply for a long-term residence permit if you hold a long-term visa issued for the same purpose as the long-term residence permit for which you are applying, provided that the purpose continues to exist.
Exceptions are the following types of long-term residence permits, which you can also apply for directly at the relevant diplomatic mission:
- Long-term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification
- Long-term residence permit as an EU Member State resident
- Long-term residence permit for the purpose of studies
- Long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research
- Long-term residence permit for the purpose of investment
- Employee card
- Blue card
- Intra-company employee transfer card
In general, you can apply for a long-term residence permit if you hold a long-term visa issued for a purpose that continues to exist and on the basis of which you wish to apply for a long-term residence permit, or if you are a holder of a long-term residence permit for any purpose.
How long is this residence permit valid for?
It is usually issued for up to 2 years.
What does this type of residence permit look like?
What obligations and restrictions does this residence permit mean?
You must fulfil the purpose of your stay for the whole duration of your residence permit. You must also follow the obligations for foreigners stipulated by law.
What does this residence permit enable you to do?
If you hold a valid residence permit, you can leave and re-enter the Czech Republic repeatedly. You can also travel within the Schengen Area without a visa.
Who can apply for a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic?
- Holders of a long-term visa issued for any purpose (except for a long-term visa for the purpose of tolerated stay, a long-term visa for the purpose of seasonal employment, or a special work visa), or
- Holders of a long-term residence permit issued for any purpose (except for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of tolerated stay when the stay valid for less than 3 years).
For more information about applications for long-term residence without previous residence in the Czech Republic, please refer to the specific sections dedicated to each residence type.
How and where can you apply?
Only in person at one of the Ministry of the Interior offices.
When do you have to submit the application for a long-term residence permit?
The rules for submitting an application for a long-term residence permit differ based on:
- whether the application is submitted within the territory of the Czech Republic or at a diplomatic mission,
- whether it is submitted by a holder of a long-term visa or a holder of a long-term residence permit for the same or a different purpose.
For more information about applications for long-term residence without previous residence in the Czech Republic, please refer to the specific sections dedicated to each residence type.
Under what conditions can you apply for an extension of your residence permit validity?
You can repeatedly apply to extend the validity of your long-term residence permit if you continue to reside in the Czech Republic for the same purpose as before. A long-term residence permit can usually be extended for up to 2 years at a time.
How and where can you apply?
You can submit the application to extend your residence permit’s validity at a Ministry of the Interior office, send it by post, Data Box or by e-mail with a recognised electronic signature, or you can submit it through an authorised representative.
Applicants under 15 years of age must submit their applications through one of their legal representatives (most frequently through one of their parents), using one of the above-mentioned ways.
When must you submit your application to extend your long-term residence permit?
No later than on the last day of validity of your current long-term residence permit, and no earlier than 120 days before it expires. While your application is being processed, you may stay in the Czech Republic legally, even if your current residence permit or visa expires (more information is available in the “Legal fiction of stay” section).