One-year visa-free stay for holders of a long-term residence permit for scientific research issued by another EU Member State

Holders of a valid long-term residence permit or a long-term visa for the purpose of scientific research issued by another EU Member State can, subject to conditions, stay in the Czech Republic without a visa for as long as 1 year from their first entrance into the country.

Who is this visa-free stay intended for?

A visa-free stay is intended for you if you meet the following conditions:

  • You hold a valid long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research issued by another EU Member State. It does not apply to residence permits issued by Ireland and Denmark.
  • In the Czech Republic, you will be conducting scientific research, so the purpose of your residence will be scientific research.

A visa-free stay of up to 180 days in a fixed period of 360 days is intended for you if you meet the following conditions:

  • You are a holder of a long-term visa for the purpose of scientific research issued by another EU Member State and, at the same time, you participate in an exchange programme of scientific institutions.
  • In the Czech Republic, you will be conducting scientific research, so the purpose of your residence will be scientific research.

What are your obligations?

  • You must get registered with the Foreign Police within 3 days from the day you arrived in the Czech Republic.
  • During the whole stay, you must have a valid residence permit or long-term visa issued by another EU Member State. If this residence permit or visa expires, your entitlement to stay in the Czech Republic without a visa expires too.
  • A research organisation where you are conducting your scientific research must notify the Ministry of the Interior about the start, suspension or termination of your scientific activities.

What are your options?

  • During the whole stay, you have free access to the labour market, meaning that you can work without limitations.
  • Whenever during your legal stay, you can file at a Ministry of the Interior office an application for a long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research in the Czech Republic.
  • Your family member can stay with you without a visa as well if he/she accompanies you and also holds a long-term residence permit issued by another EU Member State.