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Where to get information about foreign nationals’ residence in the territory of the CR

photo: (sxc.hu)

Every state sets its own rules and norms that determine the conditions for stay and residence of foreigners in their country. In the Czech Republic, these laws are stated in the Act on Residence of Foreign Nationals.

Whether you come to the Czech Republic as a tourist or you would like to spend more time in the country, your stay must be legal in all aspects. You will get all necessary information on how to meet the conditions and deal with our legislative before entering our territory at the embassies and consulates of the Czech Republic in your country.

Those who want to study, work or spend a longer period of time in the CR for any other reason, will get the best advice about their rights and duties concerning the legalisation of a stay in the territory of the Czech Republic at the regional offices of the Ministry of Interior of the CR. The Ministry of Interior has published a number of information brochures in foreign languages that will help you with better orientation in the legal issues of residence of foreign nationals in the territory of the CR. You may read the brochures here.

Citizens of the European Union, Iceland, Lichtenstein, Norway and Switzerland and their dependants will find information about residence here.

Foreigners who are not satisfied with the decision of the Czech Ministry of Interior on the case of their residence in our territory have the right to appeal against the decision. They can newly turn to the Appeal Commission on Residence of Foreign Nationals. The appeal is not filed directly with the commission but to the bureau that issued the decision you appeal against, i.e. the given office of asylum and migrations politics of the Ministry of Interior. The bureau is then due to hand the appeal to the commission. The Ministry of Interior of the CR has also created a special anti-corruption hotline for foreigners that serves for reporting all forms of corrupt conduct that foreigners encounter, e.g. when processing residence agendas. The anti-corruption hotline is available at +420 974 847 704. For calls in Czech and English, operators are available on Monday and Wednesday from 8 am to 5 pm and on Tuesday and Thursday from 8 am to 3 pm. Beyond these times, it is possible to leave a complaint in any other language, which will be processed on the following day.

Significant amendments have been added to the Act on Residence in 2010. Major changes for the entry and stay of foreigners in the territory of the CR valid from 2011 can be found here.