Study and Work in the Czech Republic
Working during your studies is a great way to pay for education and enjoy your free time. However, students from outside of the EU should be aware that if they are in the Czech Republic on a student visa, paid work cannot be your primary occupation. If you are studying a programme accredited by the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport, you will not need an employment permit. If you are on any other programmes, you are required to obtain an employment permit and a resident permit, or an Employee Card or Blue Card.
Students coming from an EU country or Switzerland do not need an employment permit, Employee Card or Blue Card in order to gain employment. This also applies to students from outside of the EU who are in the Czech Republic on a student exchange programme such as Erasmus.
Czech Republic Student Visas
Students from an EU country or Switzerland do not have to obtain a student visa to study in the Czech Republic. They do however have a reporting duty if their stay is going to be longer than 30 days. If this is the case, they are to report to the nearest Foreign Police Department. This does not always apply to students staying in student dormitories, but you should check with your university of choice.
Students from countries outside of the EU need to obtain a student visa to be able to study and live in the Czech Republic. There are several different types of visas, and all are appropriate for different situations. You should get a short-term visa if your stay is going to be less than 90 days, and a long term visa if your stay is going to be longer than 90 days. If your studies are going to keep you in the Czech Republic for longer than one year, you should apply for a long-term residence permit for study purposes.
When submitting your application for your visa, you are usually required to include these documents:
- Application form
- Letter of acceptance for studies
- Valid passport and passport photos
- Proof of financial resources (bank account statement, proof of grant/tuition support or sponsorship etc)
- Valid international health insurance
- Confirmation of guaranteed accommodation
- Abstract from the Register of Criminal Records
Some of the above documents need to be translated into Czech language by a translator with an official rubber stamp.
Visa regulations are subject to change, so to make sure you have the most up to date information regarding your visa application process, please visit the Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic at: http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx
Language
In order to study a degree programme in English, you need to have a high level of English language skills. Most universities in the Czech Republic will require proof that your language skills are up to a certain standard. This will allow you to succeed and make the most out of your degree programme.
If your English skills do not meet the required standard, it is common for universities to offer programmes that can help to improve your standards. These will be listed on the university website, and will range in price depending on the institution of choice.
Cities
Prague
Home to around 1.3 million people, Prague is the largest city in the Czech Republic and its capital city. It has a rich history, which is displayed in its varying architectural styles. The historic centre of Prague is even a UNESCO World Heritage site!
It is a popular tourist destination, ranked as the fifth most visited European city. This large influx of tourists means that the city has been well developed and has an extensive public transportation system. This will make it easily accessible for international students wanting to explore.
Located in Prague is the oldest university in Central Europe, Charles University in Prague. It also boasts 9 public universities and 36 private universities. Many of these universities provide programmes taught in English. These institutions are well suited to students looking for programmes in business, finance and economics, science and technology, arts and plenty of other disciplines.
Find out more about Universities in Prague.
Brno
The second largest city in the Czech Republic, Brno is the justice centre of the country. It is also home to 13 higher education institutions, and around 89,000 students.
Brno is now an important university city, and hosts many research and development institutes. There are also plenty of employment opportunities post studying, with lots of companies focused on engineering, software development and development basing themselves in Brno.
There are universities that focus on technical and technology disciplines, and an academy of music and performing arts. Mendel University, home to 10,000 students, is named after the founder of genetics Gregor Mendel.
Ostrava
Second only to Prague, Ostrava is the largest urban area in the Czech Republic. It has a long industry-based history, with its status as a coal mining and metallurgical centre. Despite this industrial background, the city is now a modern and cultural city, with theatres, galleries and other cultural facilities. In 2014, Ostrava was a European City of Sport and has held many major sporting events since way back in 1986! There are a wealth of opportunities for international students to immerse themselves into the sporting culture, as well as enjoying the music and arts events and facilities Ostrava has to offer.
The city has 2 public universities, offering English taught full programmes in a variety of disciplines. They also offer opportunities for exchange students to spend a year studying in the Czech Republic.
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