University of New York in Prague Admissions Visa Requirements

Visa Requirements

Students of BA (Undergraduate) programs can apply for either for a Long-stay visa for study or for a Long-term Residence Permit for Study. 

Difference between study visa and residence permit:

  • The most important difference between visa and residence permit is that you will get the long-stay visa only for the period up to 6 months, while the residence permit can be issued for one year.
  • You apply with the same documents, except the application form that is different. Also, for the 6-month study visa the required documentation can cover only 6-month period, while for the 12-month residence permit the whole first year of your study must be covered – besides of the confirmation of study also by financial funds in your bank account, by your housing document and by your health insurance contract.
  • The waiting period for long-stay visa or permit is usually 2 months, in some cases it may take up to 3 months. Both visa and permit can be extended in the Czech Republic shortly before they expire.

Study abroad students and exchange students, who are coming for a single semester, will apply for the long-stay visa.

Students of MA (Graduate) Programs must apply for Visa for Other Purposes (with specification “Education” in the Long-stay Visa Application Form) - it is not a study visa, but so called “educational” visa granted for 6 months and with a possibility to be extended in the Czech Republic. 

LONG-TERM VISA/RESIDENCE PERMIT APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Before submitting your application for the long term residence permit for study purposes or long-stay visa for study or for other purposes in the Czech Republic, please read carefully the information below:

In general, applicants must submit their applications in person at the Embassy/Consulate in their country of origin or a country in which they have a residence permit.The Embassy is entitled to request from foreign nationals to arrange the term for submitting their applications in advance. Also, the applicant is obliged to undergo an interview if the Embassy asks her/him to do so.

In some countries (e.g. Russia, Kazakhstan, Albania, Belarus, Ukraine, Uzbekistan, China, Turkey, Azerbaijan etc.) applicants must register for an appointment through an online VisaPoint Registration System to be able to submit their applications.  Without a proper online registration, the students will not be allowed to submit the long-stay visa or long-term residence permit application at the Embassy (for more details please visit the Czech M.F.A. website at http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/visapoint/index.html).

It is the Czech Ministry of the Interior that decides on granting a long-stay visa/residence permit. The visa/residence permit applications for study purposes are usually processed within 2-3 months, the visa applications for other purposes are processes within 3-4 months.

All the supporting documents must be submitted in original or as certified photocopies. Documents in languages other than Czech must be officially translated into the Czech language. None of the documents should be older than 180 days. For more details please contact the Student Affairs Office at studentaffairs@unyp.cz or internationaloffice@unyp.cz

Required documentation:

  • Application form:  completed and signed application form, together with two passport sized photographs
    Application Forms for a Long-stay Visa (visa for a stay over 90 days)  and for a Long-stay Residence Permit (Green form) can be downloaded at http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-application-requirements-application-forms.aspx
  • Travel document: passport valid for at least 90 days after the expected end of stay in the Czech Republic.
  • Evidence of the purpose of stay: Confirmation of Acceptance to Study/Education from UNYP
  • Consent of your parent or another legal representative or guardian with your stay in the Czech Republic if you are a minor.
  • Evidence of sufficient funds:  bank account in your name or original Credit Card Statements
  • Confirmation of accommodation:  document confirming the availability of accommodation for the required period of stay in the Czech Republic
  • Criminal Record check: evidence that the applicant has no record in the Criminal Register of the country that issued her/his passport and any other country/countries where s/he has resided during the last 3 years for more than 6 months.

  • Health/Medical Insurance contract - covering the cost of necessary & immediate health care (with coverage for an amount of at least 60.000 EUR). It is recommended, though not necessary, to have a contract concluded with a Czech insurance company. You will be required to submit a notarized Czech translation of your insurance contract and its general conditions if they are in other language. Upon request you are also obliged to submit a proof that you have paid the insurance premium for the entire period of requested stay.

The Health/Medical Insurance contract is presented after the application is approved and before the visa is to be affixed to the applicant’s passport. You do not need to present the health insurance when you apply.

Recommended way is to obtain your HEALTH/MEDICAL INSURANCE from a company that has been officially registered on a list of authorized companies maintained by the Czech National Bank. Please find below a list with the largest and generally recommended Czech Insurance providers:

  1. Vseobecna zdravotni pojistovna, VZP: www.pvzp.cz
  2. Slavia pojistovna: http://www.slavia-pojistovna.cz/en/
  3. Victoria Volksbanken Insurance : www.victoria.cz
  4. MAXIMA a.s.: http://www.maximapojistovna.cz/en/ 
  5. AXA Assistance: http://www.axa-assistance.cz/
  6. UNIQA: http://www.uniqa.cz/home/

With most of the listed companies you will be able to arrange your insurance contract online. Remember, you will be asked to provide them with the exact dates for the insurance coverage and your Czech residence address (use the address which is on the accommodation document you used when you applied for your visa)

Your insurance contract should be arranged with an eligible provider of your own choice. Nevertheless, having considered the advantages of ONLINE arrangements, current health insurance RATES and available DISCOUNTS, we recommend that you arrange your insurance with the UNIQA INSURANCE by clicking HERE.

Useful links:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
Applications & all the relevant information: http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/general_visa_information/index.html
List of the Czech Embassies and Consulates:
http://www.mzv.cz/jnp/en/diplomatic_missions/czech_missions_abroad/index.html

Online VISAPOINT Registration System:
https://www.visapoint.eu/visapoint2/disclaimer.aspx

 Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Czech Republic
General immigration information: http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/immigration.aspx
Specific Information for Schools & Students (including all the visa/permit application requirements):
http://www.mvcr.cz/mvcren/article/information-for-schools-and-students.aspx

Please note:
The University of New York in Prague is obliged by law to report to the Czech Ministry of the Interior any international student granted a visa/long/term residence permit who does not commence their studies on the stipulated start date of their study program.

Contact us to find out which of our programs best suits your needs. Our Admissions Office will be happy to arrange for you to visit one of our classes if you are in Prague, or can provide you with further information about our programs.