Czech Schengen Visa

Do you want to travel to the Czech Republic from the UAE but are confused about whether you require a Czech Schengen visa to enter the country? Not all UAE ex-pats and nationals are required to get visas to enter this country and the Schengen zone in general, whether going for studies, work, travel, or any other purpose.

However, some categories of individuals must possess valid Schengen visas to be able to travel to the Czech Republic. Here is a complete guide explaining whether you need a Czech Schengen visa as per your profile, the documents required to apply for this visa, the requirement of Schengen travel insurance, the application process, and all the relevant details for the same.

Starting with the primary question here –

Do You Need Schengen Visa for the Czech Republic?

To travel to the Czech Republic from the UAE, the following types of individuals are required to have a Czech Schengen visa –

• UAE nationals if the travel period is of more than 90 days within 180 days
• UAE passport holders who had been denied entry to Czech formerly
• Ex-pats residing in the UAE with a temporary or permanent residence permit, who are
  • Nationals of other countries without a visa-free arrangement with the Schengen countries
  • Nationals of other countries with a visa-free setup with the Schengen countries but have been denied entry to the country before

Requirements to Apply for Czech Schengen Visa

Have a look at the primary Czech Schengen visa requirements here –

• Visa Application Form: Applicants must fill out the form completely with the correct personal details and sign it after taking out a printout
• Photographs: Applicants are required to carry two identical photographs that have been clicked within the last 3 months
• UAE Residence Permit Proof: The residence permit must be valid for at least three months after departing from the Czech Republic
• Cover Letter: This letter must state the purpose of your visit to the Czech Republic and all the travel details 
• Travel Itinerary: This primarily includes documents that contain your flight information (date and time of arrival in the Czech from the UAE) for both entry and exit 
• Accommodation Proof: This type of document must have all the details of your stay in the Czech Republic with respect to your accommodation, whether in a hostel, hotel, or rental house/ apartment
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: You need to have valid proof mentioning the availability of sufficient funds with you to support yourself during your trip 
• Travel Insurance Document: It is mandatory to have a travel insurance policy of at least EUR 30,000 medical cover when travelling to the Czech Republic from the UAE. 
• Copies of Old Schengen Visas (if applicable)
• Civil Status Proof: This document can include a birth certificate, marriage certificate, or even the death certificate of the applicant’s spouse
• Employment Status Proof

For Employed Individuals

• Employment contract
• Leave permission from the current employer
• Your bank account statement for the previous six months

For Self-Employed Individuals

• A valid copy of the business licence
• Latest six months’ company’s bank account statement

For Students

• Enrolment proof of the concerned educational institute (college/university/school) in the Czech Republic
• A No Objection Certificate from the current educational institute

Czech Schengen Visa for Minors

• Minor’s birth certificate
• A document of family court order – in case only one of the guardians has the full child custody
• Czech Schengen visa application form with both parents’ signatures
• Valid copies of passport or other ID of both parents
• A notarized parental authorisation – in case the minor is travelling alone

Czech Schengen Visa for Tourists

• Traveller’s bank account statement for the previous six months

Czech Schengen Visa for Visitors

• Invitation Proof: To apply for a visitor's visa, individuals must have a valid document stating that they have been invited to the Czech Republic by their friends or relatives. This document can be any of the following – 
• An invitation letter signed by a person residing in the Czech Republic
• Residence permit of the host (if applicable)
• An Electronic Guarantee Letter from the host

Czech Schengen Visa for Business Purposes

• An invitation letter from the company with its detailed address, contact number, and visiting dates
• A certificate from your employer mentioning the purpose of your visit
• Past six months' bank statement of your company
• Trade licence (both the first issued and the renewed)
• Memorandum and Article of Association submitted in the original certified copy

Student Schengen Visa to the Czech Republic

• An enrolment certificate of the university or school which the student will attend 
• A No Objection Certificate from the university or school of enrolment in the Czech Republic

Medical Schengen Visa to the Czech Republic

• A medical report provided by the hospital of your home country clearly mentioning that you require medical treatment in the Czech Republic
• Payment receipts of medical fees
• A valid appointment confirmation report from the concerned hospital in the Czech Republic

Czech Schengen Visa for Sports, Culture, Religious, or Film Crew Purposes

• Details of the event, invitation letter, tickets, and more
• Documents of former participation in festivals, sports, and other such events

Czech Schengen Visa for Members of Official Delegations

• Official copy of the invitation

How to Apply for Schengen Visa for Czech?

Go through the step-by-step process given below to find out how to proceed with your Czech Republic Schengen visa application –

• Start by finding out which type of visa you are eligible for and where you should initiate your Czech Schengen visa application. You can select any of these as per their availability – consulate or embassy (of the Czech Republic), or visa centre. 
• Fill out the Czech Schengen visa application form and submit it. Schedule an interview for your visa application.
• Collect and organise all the needed documents and carry them with you for the interview 
• Once done with the interview, pay the visa fee

Your Czech Republic Schengen visa application will then be processed, after which you will be notified regarding its approval or rejection by the visa authorities.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Czech Schengen Visa?

It is mandatory to purchase travel insurance before applying for the Czech Republic Schengen visa. Moreover, you should also ensure that it has a medical cover of at least EUR 30,000 and is valid across all the Schengen countries.

Such an insurance plan comes in handy in case you face a challenging situation during your trip. Whether it is a medical emergency or loss of personal belongings, filing an insurance claim can save you from substantial financial burden.

Here is a list of coverages offered with most Schengen travel insurance plans –

• Loss of Personal Belongings Cover: The loss of theft of your personal documents, wallets, and bags during the trip can lead to considerable financial losses. With your travel insurance plan, you can receive financial help using which you can arrange the replacements or copies of the documents like passports, visas, or any other ID proof.
• Flight Curtailment or Flight Cancellation: Numerous emergencies can lead to your trip getting cut short or cancelled, which can cause emotional as well as financial distress. A travel insurance plan can at least alleviate the latter by compensating the policyholder for the non-refundable amount involved in the booking of flights, hotels, trip activities, and more.
• Emergency Medical Expenses: In case the insured individual faces injuries or health issues due to accidents or sudden illness, it can be quite tricky to arrange sufficient funds for treatment in a distant land. However, with a travel insurance policy, you can overcome such an issue as your provider can cover the amount and even get you in touch with network hospitals.
• Missed or Delayed in Flights: Flight delays can occur due to several reasons. However, if such delays last for longer hours, you may face additional expenses due to accommodation arrangements and more. The same is the case with missed flights, which can increase your travel costs. In both cases, a travel insurance plan can come in handy as it can cover your financial losses.
• Personal Liability Cover: In case any of your (unintended) actions result in third-party liabilities, your insurance plan can provide coverage for legal fees, third-party compensation, and more. 

Before proceeding to buy a travel insurance plan, it is necessary to determine which type of policy is suitable ideal for you. Refer to the following section to find out about the two major travel insurance types available in the UAE – 

• Single-Trip Travel Insurance: For individuals travelling to the Schengen area only once or twice a year, a single-trip travel insurance plan would be the most suitable option. Single-trip travel insurance, which covers a single trip of the policyholder, remains valid from the date of their departure till the time they land back in the UAE.
• Annual Multi-Trip Travel Insurance: For individuals travelling to the Czech Republic from the UAE more than twice a year, it is recommended to secure their trips with an annual multi-trip travel insurance plan. Opting for such insurance coverage will provide you coverage for all the trips you make in a year, with the coverages mostly being the same as single-trip travel insurance plans.

Processing Time for the Czech Schengen Visa

Applicants can expect a period of at least 15 days to get their visa application for a Czech Republic Schengen visa processed. However, the process may also take up to 30 days if the respective authority receives numerous application forms. In rare unusual cases, the visa application process can also take up to 60 days.

As a consequence, it is always suggested to start the Czech Republic Schengen application form as early as possible. The specific time by which you should start the Czech Schengen visa application process is discussed below.

When Should You Apply for Schengen Visa to Czech?

The most suitable time to apply for the Czech Republic Schengen visa is 4 weeks before the date of departure of your trip to the Czech Republic from the UAE, although travellers can start their visa application process up to six months before the trip date.

On the other hand, the last day to apply for the Czech Schengen visa application is 15 days before your flight to Czech is scheduled. However, as we saw earlier, it is advisable to apply for this visa around 4 weeks before the date of commencement of your trip. 

Schengen Visa to Czech Fees

The following is the fee required for a Czech Schengen visa for different age groups.

How Long is Your Czech Schengen Visa Valid? 

The validity of short-term Czech Schengen visas (generally falling under the Type C visa category) is 90 days within a six-month time period. However, a long-stay visa (Type D visa) would be required if the individual plans to stay for more than the mentioned time frame. The latter type of visa can be valid for a period of up to 1 years.

Key Takeaways

If you need a Czech Republic Schengen visa to visit the country, it is advisable to initiate your application process as early as possible (within the permissible period) to avoid any last-minute stress of application/document correction or delay in processing. Moreover, you must be thorough with the documentation process, as failing to show any of the mentioned documents can hinder your visa application. One of the most important documents for the same includes travel insurance documents.

It is highly recommended to buy travel insurance immediately after you purchase your tickets to the Czech Republic. In case you are finding it difficult to find the most suitable travel insurance with all the choices out there, you can simply go with Policybazaar UAE. Our website, policybazaar.ae, allows users to conveniently compare all the available options from the best providers and buy them at the most affordable rates.

In case you require any assistance regarding the same, have a direct consultation with our customer care executives or insurance experts.

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