Prague Schengen Visa

Prague, the capital of the Czech Republic, is renowned for its cultural life and rich architectural heritage. The capital features several attractions and landmarks like the Charles Bridge, Vltava River, Hradcany (castle in Prague), narrow streets, little taverns, modern parks and housing developments, Baroque palaces, and so on. This is enhanced by a unique appearance created by the surrounding hills, earning Prague its nickname ‘city of hundred spires’.

While Prague is (naturally) famous among tourists for the mentioned attractions and more, one may also visit it for education, work, or any other reason. If you are planning a visit to Prague from the UAE, you would need to be aware of the Schengen visa requirements, which will depend on the reason for your visit, length of your stay, citizenship, and more. This would correspond to the Prague Schengen visa travel insurance requirements as well.

Do You Need Schengen Visa for Prague?

All UAE nationals and ex-pats are not necessarily required to apply for the Prague Schengen visa. As discussed earlier, the requirement to get one depends on the duration of the visit, its purpose, and the citizenship of the applicant.

Citizens with valid UAE passports can visit Prague without the Schengen visa as long as the trip duration is of less than 90 days. However, in case the tenure is expected to exceed 90 days, a Prague Schengen visa would be mandatory.

Furthermore, if you are a UAE resident and possess the passport of a country passport that is included in the visa-free entry list of the Schengen region, you won’t need a Schengen visa for a stay of up to 90 days. However, if the country is not on the visa-free entry list, you would need a visa irrespective of the duration of the trip.

All UAE residents would require long-stay visas, regardless of their residency status or citizenship, if they wish to stay in Prague for more than 90 days. UAE nationals (or those eligible for visa-free entry due to nationality), who have been denied entry to the country before for any reason, must also obtain a Prague Schengen visa from UAE.

Requirements to Apply for Prague Schengen Visa

These documents would be required to apply for a Prague Schengen visa from the UAE –

Let's start with the primary mandatory documents for a Prague Schengen visa:

• Visa Application Form:  Applicant must take the print of the form, fill it out with the correct details, and sign it
• Photographs: You would be required to take two identical photos of the passport size that have been clicked within the last three months
• Cover Letter: Besides travel details, the applicant must also mention the purpose of visiting Prague in the cover letter
• UAE Residence Permit:  The residence permit must be valid for three months after leaving Prague
• Accommodation Related Document: This piece of document requires all information and details of your stay in Prague. It must showcase all the relevant accommodation details with proof, whether you are living in a hostel, rental house, apartment, or hotel.
• Flight Itinerary: Applying for the Prague Schengen visa requires you to present your travel itinerary – this must also contain information related to your flight (both arrival and departure)
• Proof of Sufficient Funds: You would need to submit proof of how you will manage your personal finance in Prague via bank statements or other similar documents
• Travel Insurance: Mandatory if a Schengen visa is required for the trip
• Passport: Individuals applying for a Prague Schengen visa must have a valid passport that is not older than ten years and has at least two blank pages. Furthermore, it should stay valid for at least 3three months after your return to the UAE from the Schengen region.
• Copies of Previous Visas: If you have ever held a visa from any country, you may be asked to submit copies of those
• Proof of Civil Status: Birth certificate of children, marriage certificate, death certificate of spouse, and others, fall under this category
• Proof of Employment: The documents would depend on your employment type, i.e., self-employed, salaried, or retired –

For Self-Employed Individuals

• Copy of your business license
• Bank statement for the last six months

For salaried Individuals

• Employment contract
• Bank statement for the previous six months
• Leave permission letter from current employer

For Retired Individuals

• Pension statement for the last six months

Apart from the documents mentioned above, the following additional documents may be required for the Prague Schengen visa depending on the age and purpose of the visit. 

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Minors

• Birth certificate of the minor
• Family court order in case only one guardian has the minor’s full custody 
• If a minor is travelling solo, notarized parental authorisation is mandatory
• Application form for Prague Schengen visa signed by both parents
• Identity proof of both parents (such as the Emirates ID) 

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Tourists

• Applying for the tourist Schengen visa requires your latest six months' bank statement
• Proof of adequate finances for the trip to Prague

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Visiting Family & Friends

The applicant would need to submit the invitation proof, mentioning that they have been invited to Prague by their relatives or friends. Any of the following documents can work for this -

• Residence permit of the host, if applicable
• Electronic guarantee letter from the host
• Invitation letter duly signed by a person living in Prague

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Business Purposes

• Submit an invitation letter from the company with the full address, contact number, arrival dates, and other relevant information (if any)
• The employer must state the purpose of your visit in a letter
• Bank statements of your company (for the last six months)
• Memorandum and Article of Association submitted in the original certified copy
• Both issued and renewed trade licence required

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Medical Treatment

• Medical report specifying your current health condition and the need for medical treatment in Prague – the report must be issued by a leading treating facility in your home country
• Payment bills for medical fees
• Valid appointment confirmation letter and report from the concerned hospital in Prague
• Proof of sufficient financial means to pay for the medical procedure

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Cultural/ Religious or Sports Events

• Complete information about your event including its venue, tickets, invitation letter, and more
• Proof of participation in other events or appearances
• Letter of the national federation on behalf of the participant on official letterhead (duly signed and stamped)

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Members of Official Delegation

• Copy of invitation from a delegation member
• Proof of your journey purpose, like meetings, consultations, and intergovernmental organisations events

Additional Prague Schengen Visa Documents Required for Students

• No objection certificate (NOC) from the current educational institution
• Proof of enrolment from the concerned academic institute (college/ school/ university) in Prague
• Internship letter signed between the educational institute, trainee, and the company in Prague

How to Apply For Schengen Visa for Prague?

Once ready with your documents stack, you can follow these steps to apply for a Prague Schengen visa –

Initiate the process by researching which type of visa you are eligible for (and whether you need one). You can apply for a Prague Schengen visa via the consulate or embassy of the Czech Republic or an authorised visa centre, which is VFS Global in this case. 

Embassy Details

• Location: F8F9+78F - Al Marina - Marina Village - Abu Dhabi - United Arab Emirates
• Working Hours: Monday to Friday (9:00 am – 12:00 pm)
• Contact Number: +971 2 678 2800

Visa Centres Details

Abu Dhabi

Location: Level 25, Shining Tower, Mubarak Bin Mohammed Street, 26th Street,Near Khalidyah Mall

Dubai

Location: Joint Visa Application Centre, Waafi Mall, Level 2, Falcon, Phase 2, Umm Hurair

• Obtain a Prague Schengen visa application from the concerned embassy or visa agency website and fill it up carefully
• Schedule an interview as per your requirement for the visa application process
• Carry all the documents and the form to the interview process
• Complete the interview, submit the documentation, and pay the visa fee

Prague Schengen visa will be processed after the submission of the fees and your interview. The visa authorities will notify the applicant of the status of their application.

Do I Need Travel Insurance for Prague Schengen Visa?

For anyone requiring a Prague Schengen visa for their visit, be it a UAE national or a resident, Schengen travel insurance would be mandatory. Keep in mind that your travel insurance plan must comply with the Schengen-specific guidelines, which include validity throughout the Schengen region and minimum medical coverage of EUR 30,000.

Obtaining Schengen travel insurance, more than simply fulfilling the basic Schengen visa eligibility requirements, also acts as a shield for your finances in case you face any adversity during the journey. Travel insurance plans provide extensive coverage for personal belongings, medical illness, and pre and post-departure unforeseen circumstances.

Based on the user’s purpose of visit, duration, frequency, and the number of travellers, Schengen travel insurance plans can be divided into the following categories -

As per the Trip Frequency and Duration

• Single Trip Insurance: For travellers visiting the Schengen region once or twice a year, single trip insurance would be the most suitable choice. The plan comes into action when the insured individual leaves the UAE and expires when the individual returns. The validity of single-trip insurance plans depends on your insurance provider and the specific plan, although these plans are generally valid for 90-180 days.
• Multi-Trip Insurance: Multi-trip insurance plans, as one may figure out, are designed to cover all the trips taken by the policyholder to the Schengen region within a year. The coverage offered by the multi-trip insurance plans is the same as of single-trip insurance. These travel insurance plans come with a validity period of one year.

As per the Number and Types of Travellers

The categorisation discussed above regarding how often you travel to the Schengen region applies to the following plans too. Thus, depending on the number of travellers, you can select a single-trip or multi-trip travel insurance plan -

• Individual Travel Insurance: The individual travel insurance plans only provide coverage to a single traveller. If you are visiting solo to Prague, the individual travel insurance plan would be the best one to opt for.
• Family Travel Insurance: Family travel insurance plans cover all the members of the family under single insurance coverage for the entire trip. Remember that a family member's minimum and maximum age limit to be covered would be different for each plan.
• Senior Travel Insurance: These plans cover UAE citizens older than 60-65 years, depending on the insurer and travel plan. Senior travel insurance plans are designed keeping in mind the needs and requirements associated with old age.

As per the Intention of the Visit

Travelling to Prague from the UAE may require a travel insurance policy based on your purpose to travel. For instance, travelling to study requires student travel insurance, while travelling for business would need business travel insurance, and so on. 

Some of the standard Prague Schengen visa travel insurance policies are discussed below:

• Business Travel Insurance: People travelling to Prague for business-related work can select business travel insurance. Employers generally purchase these plans to cover the employees travelling to the Schengen region. One of the remarkable features of these plans is that they provide extensive coverage for digital gadgets.
• Student Travel Insurance: These plans are meant for individuals travelling from UAE to Prague for internships, higher studies, training purposes, and more. These plans are similar to the standard travel insurance plans in their coverages, although a few specific to the requirements of students and workers are present.
• Group Travel Insurance: Group travel insurance plans cover a group of people who don’t belong to a family but are travelling to Prague from UAE in the group. These plans offer nearly all types of coverage, like medical emergencies, loss of personal belongings or travel documents, missed flights, and more.
• Medical Travel Insurance: Medical travel insurance covers individuals travelling to Prague to receive medical treatment. The plans can provide coverage against loss of personal baggage, documents, and more.

Benefits of Prague Schengen Visa Travel Insurance Benefits

Here’s why getting a Prague Schengen visa travel insurance can be beneficial for your trip to Prague –

• Loss of Personal Belongings Cover:  Travel insurance provides coverage against lost or stolen personal accessories like wallets, purses, and documents like ID proof, passport, visa, and so forth. With the compensation amount, you can arrange duplicate copies of the documents or even replacement items.
• Emergency Medical Expenses Coverage: One of the most helpful features of travel insurance is that such a plan can cover the medical treatment expenses of the policyholder during the trip. So if the insured individual faces health issues or injuries due to sudden illness or accident, the insurance company can provide the funds and help them get in touch with a network hospital.
• Personal Liability Cover:  The insurance provider can cover you against any third-party liabilities caused by you, whether related to damage or injury. This includes legal fees, third-party compensation, and so on.
• Coverage Against Loss of Delayed Baggage: If your baggage is delayed or lost during the trip, the insurer can offer you compensation if you have a Schengen travel insurance plan. 
• Trip Cancellation cover: Comprehensive Schengen travel insurance plans can provide coverage against cancellation of your trip due to personal or external reasons. With such a plan, you can get compensated for the non-refundable expenses associated with hotel bookings, flight tickets, or tour packages. It is to be noted that the cancellation reason should be justifiable and must be one of those mentioned in your policy document as valid.
• COVID-19 Coverage: In case the insured individual is diagnosed with COVID-19 during their trip, the expenses related to medication, RT-PCR test, quarantine facility, and more can be covered by the plan. Remember that the sub-limit of each coverage varies depending on your travel insurance plan and insurance provider.
• Coverage for Missed or Delayed Flights: Missed and delayed flights can lead to substantial additional costs like accommodation expenses and more. You can, however, receive financial aid and monetary loss coverage with a proper travel insurance plan.

Processing Time For Prague Schengen Visa

Once you submit your Prague Schengen visa application, visa authorities usually take up to 15 days to process the application. However, in occasional cases, the processing time may extend up to 30 or 60 days. This usually happens if the visa authority receives too many applications at once, or if you miss any required documents or make errors on the application form.

When Should You Apply for Prague Schengen Visa?

As one may have judged from the previous section, applying for a Prague Schengen visa as early as possible is always advisable. Once you have finalised your trip and flight details, you can apply for the Prague Schengen visa immediately. As the visa's validity begins when you enter Prague, obtaining a visa early won't affect your trip.

Applicants can initiate their visa application process up to 15 days before the trip date. The ideal time to submit the Prague Schengen visa application, however, is at least one month before your journey begins. This is to ensure the availability of sufficient time margin even if the visa processing gets delayed.

Prague Schengen Visa Fees

Here is the list of Prague Schengen visa fees for different age groups -

Individual Categories	Fees (In Euros)
For Adult Travellers	80
For Travellers of Ages 6-12 Years	40
For Travellers Below 6 Years	Free

How Long is Your Prague Schengen Visa Valid?

There are chiefly two types of Prague Schengen Visa available –

• Short-Term Visa (Type C)
• Long-Term Visa (Type D)

Short Term Visa

The validity of a short-term visa falling under category C is up to 90 days (three months) within six months. These visas can further be placed across three different categories –

• Single-Entry Visa: A single-entry visa allows you to enter the Schengen visa once. This visa expires once the visa holder leaves Prague or its validity period comes to an end.
• Double-Entry Visa: Unlike single-entry visas, visa holders are allowed to enter the Schengen region twice during the validity period with a double-entry visa. The visa becomes invalid after two consecutive departures from the Schengen region or the expiry of its validity, whichever occurs first.
• Multi-Entry Schengen Visa:  Individuals having a multiple-entry visa can enter and exit the Schengen region as often as they want within the validity period. One-year multiple-entry Schengen visa, three-year multiple-entry Schengen visa, and five-year multiple-entry Schengen visa are the three major types of multiple Schengen visas.

Note: Irrespective of the validity, your stay in the region cannot exceed 90 days in a 180-day period with these Type C visas.

Long Term Visa

Long-term visas fall under the Type D visa category and allow visa holders to stay in Prague beyond 90 days. These visas have a maximum validity of 1 year and are generally obtained by working individuals and students.

Key Takeaways

Prague, the Czech Republican capital, is an excellent place in the Schengen region to visit, whether for tourism, work, education, or any other such purpose. While UAE citizens generally won’t need a visa to stay here for up to 90 days, a Prague Schengen visa would be required in most other cases.

Individuals are required to purchase a Schengen travel insurance plan before applying for a Prague Schengen visa. Besides helping you meet the mandatory requirements, a Prague travel insurance plan can also cover you against adversities that may arise during the trip.

To get the best travel insurance policy aligning with your budget and needs, you can visit policybazaar.ae and complete all your travel insurance needs. Policybazaar UAE makes the entire process of exploring, comparing, and purchasing travel insurance remarkably convenient for users. With us, you can get extensive coverage with the best plans available at nominal rates without moving a step anywhere.

If you are stuck or unable to pick the appropriate plan, you can easily reach out to our in-house insurance expert team which can help you ensure that your trip is covered with the best travel insurance plan.

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