Visa: After Arrival

Visa: After Arrival

After you arrive, your next steps depend on your type of legal stay in Czechia. Non-visa students from EU/EFTA countries and long-term student visa holders register at Foreign Police. Long-term residence permit holders register at the Ministry of Interior.

Note: After this initial registration, you need to report your new address every time you move to a new residence (e.g. when you move out of the dorms)!

Registration at the Foreign Police

Non visa: Students from EU/EFTA countries

  • You have to register at the Foreign Police within 30 days of your arrival.

Visa: Long-term study visa holders

  • If you are staying at the CUNI dorms, you don’t have to do anything and the dormitory office will register you with the Foreign police.
  • If you are NOT staying at the CUNI dorms (private housing), you are legally obliged to register with the Foreign Police within 3 days of your arrival. More info here.

What to bring? 

  • Passport
  • Registration Card: available at the registration or it can be printed
  • Health insurance valid for the Czech Republic (EHIC or private)

Foreign Police

Address

Olšanská 2, 130 51 Praha 3, door D (tram stop Olšanská)

Opening hours

Monday, Wednesday 8-18, Thursday 8-15 (check their opening hours here before visiting)

Foreign Police

Registration at the Ministry of Interior

 Visa: Long-term residence permit holders

Regardless of your residence, you have 30 days from arrival to register at the Ministry of Interior (MOI). You do not need to additionally register with the Foreign Police. As a RP holder, you will be issued a residence card detailing your residency status and carrying biometric data (face depiction and fingerprints). 

  1. Set an appointment at one of the branches of the Ministry of the Interior within thirty days of arrival.
    Note: The appointment itself must take place in 30 days after arrival (not just the appointment request). Therefore, please set the appointment ASAP when you come to Prague. The waiting time can get long.  
  2. Provide biometric data at MOI.
  3. When the card is ready for pick up, you will be asked to come to collect it. There is a fee for issuing the residency card. You can read more about the fee and the biometric data here.
    NOTE: You have 60 days from the biometrics appointment to pick up your card, or it will expire. If you leave Czechia again without collecting the card, you will not be allowed re-entry and will have to apply for a new visa.

Where to go?

  • On this website (tab MOI offices), you can find the available MOI offices in Prague including their opening hours. Student office Hládkov is responsible for students from 3rd countries and offers service only with appointment. If there are no available appointments left for now, you can go to one of the general offices depending on the district of your residence address (Žukovského or Chodov). The general offices accept walk-ins, but the queue might be long. 

What to bring?

  • Your passport and registration form