Visa Information (for Non-EU Students)
Studying at UCT Prague as a Non-EU student requires a long-term visa for the purpose of study. Getting your visa approved is one of the first and most important steps before starting your exchange adventure. On this page, you’ll find all the key information from understanding who needs a visa and how to apply, to preparing your documents and arriving smoothly in Prague.
In order to be allowed to live in the Czech Republic for study purposes, Non-EU exchange students must apply for a long-term visa for the purpose of study. Applications must be submitted to the Czech Embassy or Consulate in the respective country.
IMPORTANT: Non-EU citizens who have residency in another EU state still need a visa in case they are staying longer than 90 days.
If you are unsure whether you need a visa to stay in the Czech Republic, please consult the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country or the embassy of the Czech Republic nearest to you.
Visa Process Step-by-Step
The following is a step-by-step explanation of the visa process. Please make sure to follow provided information before you apply for a visa.
📄Download Visa Guideline (PDF)This guideline will help you summarise all the necessary steps to obtain your visa successfully.
The appointment can be scheduled in two ways. Please note that UCT Prague has no authority to process visa applications or approve appointments directly—this is solely in the hands of the Czech Embassy.
1. By the applicants
Scheduling the appointment yourself directly with the Czech Embassy.
Scheduling the appointment yourself directly with the Czech Embassy.
2. Student Mode (Režim Student)
A governmental project for visa facilitation available for selected countries.
A governmental project for visa facilitation available for selected countries.
We strongly advise students to apply for an appointment as soon as you receive your acceptance letter. It can take several weeks just to get an appointment date.
Student Mode (Režim Student)
Student Mode only helps ACCELERATE ACCESS for getting the appointment, not the process itself, which still takes about 60 days.
Note: You cannot use Student Mode and schedule the appointment yourself simultaneously.
🔍 Criteria for applying for Student Mode (click for info)
- You must be a citizen of an enrolled country / applying in the country of your residence.
- You must be officially accepted at UCT Prague.
- You must obtain confirmation from UCT coordinators that they will nominate you.
The Nomination:
Contact your UCT coordinator to ask about options. Prepare all documents required for your specific embassy while waiting for the Ministry's decision (processed in 3–5 working days).
After Acceptance:
The embassy will contact you with a date (usually within 1–4 weeks). Present yourself with all documents. Once approved, the Ministry of Interior notifies the embassy to schedule your visa collection.
📅 Nomination Dates for 2025:
Winter Semester: 06.06. | 20.06. | 04.07. | 18.07.
Summer Semester: 05.09. | 19.09. | 03.10. | 17.10. | 07.11. | 21.11. | 05.12.
⚠️ Critical Deadlines & Arrival
The visa procedure can take up to 60 days. It is strongly recommended to arrange your appointment in June (Winter) or November (Summer) at the latest.
Latest Arrival: We can only accept students who arrive by September 30th (Winter) or February 28th-29th (Summer). Late arrivals cannot be registered.
To apply for a long-term visa (study purposes), you must obtain several original physical documents from UCT Prague. You may request these after your application procedure is finished and confirmed.
1. Which documents can UCT Prague issue for you?
- Document the purpose of stay
- Letter of Acceptance
- Proof of accommodation (ONLY if staying at UCT dormitories)
Contact the International Office at incoming@vscht.cz and send:
- Copy/scan of your passport
- Name of the city where the Czech Embassy is located where you will apply
- Information if you will be staying at UCT Prague dormitories
⚠️ IMPORTANT: Requirements vary by country. Always check the Czech Embassy website or the Ministry of Interior (official source) for accurate info.
2. General List of Required Documents
• PASSPORT
• APPLICATION FORM (Long-term residence / green form)
• 2 PHOTOS
• BIOMETRIC DATA (Fingerprints)
• CRIMINAL RECORD EXTRACT
• VISA FEE
• APPLICATION FORM (Long-term residence / green form)
• 2 PHOTOS
• BIOMETRIC DATA (Fingerprints)
• CRIMINAL RECORD EXTRACT
• VISA FEE
• PURPOSE OF STAY (Acceptance letter)
• ACCOMMODATION
• FINANCIAL MEANS (Proof of funds OR a stipend/grant/stipend from a 3rd party/hosting org)
• PARENTAL CONSENT (Required only for minors)
• ACCOMMODATION
• FINANCIAL MEANS (Proof of funds OR a stipend/grant/stipend from a 3rd party/hosting org)
• PARENTAL CONSENT (Required only for minors)
🏥 Travel Medical Insurance
Required only once the visa is approved (not during application). You must submit an officially verified Czech translation of the policy.
Exemptions: Citizens of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Cuba, Japan, Macedonia, Montenegro, Turkey, and Serbia are exempt due to international treaties. This also applies to Erasmus Mundus participants, Fulbright scholars, EVS participants, and EHIC/GHIC card holders.
Delivery of the Documents
All documents must be submitted to the embassy in paper form. Once confirmed by UCT Prague, you have two options:
📬 Regular Delivery
- Price: Free of charge
- Time: 3–4 weeks (or more)
- UCT Prague registers the delivery.
⚡ DHL Express (Recommended)
- Price: Paid by student
- Time: Less than one week
- Create order on DHL website. Fast and safe.
Recommendation: We strongly advise DHL express. If visa requests are not approved on time, UCT Prague reserves the right to cancel your exchange participation.
For the visa appointment, please pay close attention to the information communicated by the Czech Embassy. Consulates schedule their own appointments (mostly via email or phone) always refer to their specific websites for guidance.
📌 Key Requirements & Rules:
- In-person Attendance: Applications are lodged in person. An interview is held and fingerprints are collected.
- Document Age: Supporting documents must not be older than 180 days (except passport and current photo).
- Language: All documents must be in Czech. Documents in other languages require an official translation.
- Originals & Copies: Passport and "Purpose of Stay" (Acceptance Letter) must be originals. Other documents can be originals or verified copies. Always bring a complete set of copies of all requirements!
- Passport Return: Your passport is returned to you after the interview and submitted again only when the visa is being issued.
- Duration: A long-term visa is issued for the period of study, but max. 1 year.
⚠️ Critical Warning: Arrival on Time
Be on time for your appointment! Being late or missing it entirely will postpone the whole process. In some cases, you may not get another slot, making it impossible to arrive for Enrollment Day, which leads to non-acceptance to the studies. Only complete applications can be processed incomplete ones will be suspended, prolonging the wait time!
After the Appointment
Wait for the decision. The legal processing time for a long-term study visa is 60 days. If you have no news after 60 days, you can contact us by email. However, remember that UCT Prague has no authority over the embassy’s decisions.
🤝 Communication & Responsibility
It is your responsibility to collect all documents and check the embassy website for requirements specific to your citizenship. UCT Prague cannot legally help you with scheduling or communicate with the Ministry of Interior on your behalf. Visa status is confidential.
Note: UCT Prague provides no assistance or invitation letters for friends, partners, or family members. They must follow standard procedures on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Once you arrive, you must register your accommodation address with the Foreign Police within 3 working days, unless your dormitory registers you automatically. Bring your passport, completed registration form, and proof of health insurance. The UCT Department of International Relations will assist you with practical guidance upon arrival.
Exchange students who want to extend their study stay at UCT Prague (either for another semester or for an internship) must apply for an extension of their long-term visa. This process can be done within the Czech Republic at the Ministry of Interior (MOI).
📍 MOI Office Praha (Hládkov)
Responsibility for foreign university students with residence in Prague, Praha-Západ, and Praha-Východ.
Address: Hládkov 682/9, 169 00 Praha 6 - Střešovice
Tel.: 974 801 801
Opening Hours: Mon – Thu: 8:00 - 16:00*
Fri: 8:00 - 12:00*
Fri: 8:00 - 12:00*
*Only for clients with an appointment.
Appointments: Online Reservation
Check if the offered term falls within the legal time limit for submission.
IMPORTANT: The visa extension is only possible upon discussion with the Department of International Relations.
Documents & Support
Necessary documents and information regarding the extension can be found here. UCT Prague will provide the following support:
- UCT Prague: Issues the official confirmation of the prolongation of studies.
- Halls of Residence: If you are staying at the dormitories, the accommodation office will issue your updated accommodation proof.
| Document name | Code ID | keywords | popis | zmeneno_cas | Valid from | Valid until | Author |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apply for Czech visa (Exchange students) | |||||||
| Visa_Information for students INFO | |||||||
| Visa extension information | |||||||
| Long-term Visa Form | |||||||
| How to fill out form for Long-term Visa | |||||||
| Country Codes |