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Updated: Visa and residency aspects of preventive measures against the outbreak and spread of Covid-19

What does the state of emergency mean for foreigners?

Updated: Visa and residency aspects of preventive measures against the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 Source: Shutterstock

In connection with the effort to prevent the spread of the new type of coronavirus that causes COVID-19, the government of the Czech Republic is adopting a number of measures that restrict the movement of persons and, of course, affect the entry, residence and work of foreigners in the Czech Republic. The situation is changing dynamically and we will keep you informed about the development of the adopted measures.

Information on preventive measures taken against the outbreak and spread of Covid-19 related to travel, stay and work of foreigners in the Czech Republic can be found on the websites of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

What do the current restrictions mean for foreigners in the Czech Republic?

  • Foreigners, who were legally on the territory of the Czech Republic at the moment of the declaration of the state of emergency may continue to remain in the country for the duration of the state of emergency without any need to resolve their residency status issues.
  • The validity of work permits and short-term Schengen visas for the purpose of employment that were issued prior to the declaration of this measure shall be extended so that such validity terminates upon expiry of the 60-day period from the date of termination of the state of emergency provided that the employer extends for such period the employment relationship with the given foreigner for which the work permit or visa was issued.

Offices of the Department of Asylum and Migration Policy have restricted opening hours to Monday and Friday, 9:00-12:00, only for the most urgent cases that cannot be delayed and on the basis of a prior appointment. Residence registration and biometrics can be delayed until the state of emergency has been terminated and ordinary office hours have resumed. The Ministry of the Interior recommends that actions not requiring in-person participation be carried out via databox; completion of such actions can be carried out after the state of emergency has been lifted. Information on the operation of facilities can be found on the website of the Ministry of the Interior.


What do the current restrictions mean for foreigners whose residence-permit applications are being processed?

  • All proceedings involving long-term visas and residence permits have been suspended. Applications for short-term Schengen visas have also been suspended.
  • The government visa programmes have been suspended. Assigned appointment dates have been cancelled; new dates will be assigned as soon as the possibility of accepting applications for employee cards, blue cards, ICT cards and long-term visas at embassies and consulates of the Czech Republic abroad has been restored.

 This article was updated on Thursday, March 19.

 
Updated: Visa and residency aspects of preventive measures against the outbreak and spread of Covid- attachment
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