Visa Guidelines

UK strict on rules for Student Visa

visaguidelines — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:43:33 +0000

Tougher rules for foreign students.

10 February 2010

Foreign students from outside Europe wanting to come to the UK to study will be required to meet stricter entry criteria, the Home Secretary announced today. The new regulations will ensure that students studying below degree level have a limited ability to work in the UK, and that their dependants cannot work here at all. It will be even harder for bogus students, whose only aim is to work in the UK, to come into the country.

Home Secretary Alan Johnson also confirmed that the government will implement plans to introduce a points test by 2011 for those who wish to earn British citizenship. The new measures for students include: * a good standard of English (equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will be needed to come to the UK and study to improve English language competency further; * a good standard of English (again equivalent of holding just below a GCSE in a foreign language) will need to be demonstrated in order to study any other course below degree level; * restricting the lowest-level courses (A levels and equivalent) to only the most trusted institutions; * halving the amount of time a student studying below first degree level or on a foundation degree course will be able to work, to just 10 hours during term time; * a ban on bringing in dependants for anyone studying a course for less than six months; and * a ban on dependants of anyone studying a course lower than foundation or undergraduate degree level from working – they will face removal from the UK if found doing so. Alan Johnson said: ‘The points-based system was introduced to provide a rigorous system to manage legitimate access to the UK to work and study, with the ability to respond to changing circumstances. ‘We want foreign students to come here to study, not to work illegally, and today we have set out necessary steps which will maintain the robustness of the system we introduced last year. I make no apologies for that.’ In addition, the new measures will include: * a ban on foreign students studying below degree level if the course includes a work placement – unless that course is being provided by a university, college or training provider which has the status of ‘highly trusted sponsor’; * a requirement for students to demonstrate their English language ability by passing an approved secure test – this will apply to all students studying below (foundation) degree level, including those coming to study English language; and * the introduction of tougher criteria for defining which course providers count as ‘highly trusted sponsors’ of foreign students. We expect that all publicly funded universities and colleges will count as highly trusted, and we will ensure that there is a rapid but rigorous system for ensuring that private training colleges can also gain that status as soon as possible. UK universities and colleges offer an excellent education, and the government recognises the essential contribution that genuine international students bring – economically, academically and socially – to the country as a whole, as well as to the universities and colleges in which they study. However, these steps are part of the government’s commitment to crack down on potential abuse of the system. These changes are part of a radical overhaul of the student system which began last year. Since March 2009, the government has required all foreign students to be sponsored by a college licensed by the UK Border Agency, and to demonstrate that they can support themselves once they get here before being granted a visa. Also since March, any college or university wanting to bring in international students must be accredited and licensed. This has reduced the number of institutions able to bring students to the UK from over 4,000 to approximately 2,000. Pat McFadden, the Minister for Business, Innovation and Skills, said: ‘Genuine international students are welcome in the UK. They make a significant contribution to the academic and cultural life of the universities and colleges where they study, and bring over £5.3bn to our economy each year. But where there is abuse it undermines the position of genuine students as much as anyone else. ‘It is important that we protect the reputation and quality of our institutions by ensuring only legitimate students are able to benefit from the courses they offer. This is why we will work closely with the sector to implement the recommendations of this review.’ The new requirements for foreign students follow a review of Tier 4 of the points-based system, announced by the Prime Minister in November 2009. The review team were asked to look at whether the current Tier 4 arrangements strike the right balance between facilitating access of genuine students and preventing abuse by economic migrants. The Home Secretary’s written ministerial statement about the student changes can be downloaded from the right side of this page. The decision to introduce a points test for citizenship follows the results of a public consultation on the proposals. The results, which were published today in the Consultations section of this website, show that three-quarters of the public polled during the consultation are in favour of the government’s plans to introduce a points scheme for citizenship. Alan Johnson added: ‘We have already made fundamental changes to the immigration system to control migration in a way that is firm, and has a positive impact on our work force and economy. ‘From 2011 we will put the mechanisms in place that will ensure that people who are allowed to become citizens have earned their right to stay here. ‘We will do this using a points test, giving us the ability to take clear, enforceable decisions about who should be allowed to stay permanently, with the flexibility to raise or lower the threshold for citizenship, depending on the current interests of the country and economy.’ Under the new rules, anyone wishing to become a permanent resident will have to earn their right to citizenship. This will restrict the number of economic migrants granted citizenship – for example, by limiting citizenship to those who have the qualifications or skills that the economy needs, or who are living in parts of the country where there are specific skills shortages that they can fill. They will also have to demonstrate that they can speak good English for their application to be successful.

Britain United Nations crime Offenders 160 countries crowded prisons seven inmates

visaguidelines — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 16:53:07 +0000

Labour’s open door immigration policy has turned Britain’s jails into a ‘United Nations of crime’ – holding inmates from 160 countries.

The foreign criminals represent one in every seven inmates in our prisons – which are so packed that British convicts are being released early to make space.

They range from murderers and rapists to burglars, paedophiles and drug dealers.

There are only 192 member countries of the United Nations, meaning all bar 32 are represented in the British prison system.

The top ten nationalities of the inmates are Jamaica, Nigeria, the Irish Republic, Vietnam, Poland, China, Somalia, Pakistan, India and Romania.

There is no evidence to suggest that foreign nationals are more likely to commit crime. Rather, the huge number of overseas convicts – 11,546 out of 84,000 people in jail – reflects the large number of immigrants living in the UK.

Tory immigration spokesman Damian Green, who uncovered the figures, said: ‘Britain has been reduced to the United Nations of crime.

‘The fact that criminals from eight in ten countries in the world are plying their trade in Britain shows something is very wrong with both our immigration and security policy.’

‘This is a continuing crisis both for the immigration system and the prison system. There are obvious dangers in overloaded prisons, as well as a burden on British taxpayers who have to pay for this.’

The huge number of foreign nations has been blamed for the current prison overcrowding crisis, which has led to the early release of tens of thousands of inmates.

In total, 75,000 convicts have benefited from Labour’s End of Custody Licence – under which they walk free 18 days before their sentence reaches the halfway point.

They include 15,000 violent offenders, 6,795 criminals serving sentences for burglary, 16,402 for theft, 3,322 for drug offences and 1,898 for robbery.

The Ministry of Justice is aware of 1,512 offences committed by offenders during their period of early release. This includes three murders.

Critics say that if there had been fewer foreign national prisoners, early release of British criminals may not have been required.

Ministers have tried a number of desperate tactics to reduce the number of overseas inmates.

Last month, it emerged that foreign rapists, murderers and other offenders were being offered credit cards pre-loaded with more than £450 of taxpayers’ cash if they agreed to return home.

The perk is part of a package worth up to £5,000 designed to ‘bribe’ them to leave the UK.

The credit cards are loaded with money which the convict can spend as soon as they leave British soil. The remainder of the windfall is payable ‘in kind’ when they return home, and can include cash to set up a business.

One in four of the foreign criminals who was deported last year only went home after being offered one of the special payments.

Recent recipients include an immigrant convicted of the horrific killing of a 17-month- old baby.

Malaysian Agnes Wong, 29, was jailed for five years in 2008 for the manslaughter of a toddler she was supposed to be child-minding. The Tories have vowed to end the End of Custody Licence scheme. Controversially, they are considering using prison ships to provide extra space.

Immigration Minster Phil Woolas said: ‘I have made it clear that those who come to the UK and break the rules will not be tolerated. That is why we are removing more foreign criminals than ever before, including a record 5,400 in 2008.

‘The UK Border Agency works hard to remove these individuals at the earliest opportunity.

‘The Government has agreed transfer agreements with many countries, meaning lawbreakers can be sent home to serve the rest of their sentences in foreign prisons.

Seventeen illegal workers arrested in UK

visaguidelines — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 09:46:42 +0000

A Hayes firm is facing a potential fine of up to £170,000, after 17 illegal workers were arrested during a UK Border Agency raid.

Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work. Inspector Dick Stratton, UK Border Agency

Acting on intelligence, officers targeted the premises of Only 4U Ltd on Bullsbrook Road on the morning of Thursday 10 December.

The operation was part of an ongoing clampdown on illegal working in the west London area, and coincides with a large-scale advertising campaign warning bosses of heavy fines if they are caught employing illegal foreign labour.

The 17 men, all Indians and Sri Lankans aged between 22 and 49, were arrested for a variety of immigration offences. Ten were failed asylum seekers. The UK Border Agency will now seek to remove all of them from the country.

The employers have been told they will face a fine unless they can prove that they carried out the correct right-to-work checks on staff.

Inspector Dick Stratton of the UK Border Agency said:

‘Illegal working has a serious impact on communities, taking jobs from those who are genuinely allowed to work.

‘We are happy to work with businesses to ensure they know what checks have to be done on staff, but those who do break the law will face action.

‘My officers will continue to target illegal working to reduce the attractiveness of the area to illegal immigrants, and more operations are planned in the future.’

Civil penalties for businesses that fail to carry out the proper checks when employing migrant workers from outside Europe were introduced by the government in February 2008, allowing fines of up to £10,000 per illegal employee.

Employers unsure of the steps they need to take to avoid employing illegal workers can visit www.ukba.homeoffice.gov.uk/employers or call our Employers Helpline on 0300 123 4699.

UK Border Agency response on Pakistanis’ visas

visaguidelines — Mon, 14 Dec 2009 12:18:35 +0000

11 December 2009 The UK Border Agency has responded to claims in the media that Pakistanis are more likely to be refused visas.

UK Border Agency Chief Executive Lin Homer said:

‘We do not discriminate against any individual nationality, to suggest otherwise is false. Applications from Pakistan are assessed in the same manner and against the same immigration rules as applications from every other nationality.

‘I am confident that we operate a firm and fair visa operation. It is the UK Border Agency’s responsibility to prevent entry to the UK those who do not meet our entry criteria while welcoming legitimate trade and travel.

‘Entry clearance officers consider each visa application on its individual merits and will refuse an application where they are not satisfied that the applicant meets the requirements of the visitor rules.

‘It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure they meet these rules and provide sufficient evidence to support their application. Any person who has been refused a family visit visa may have the right to appeal against the decision.

‘The work of the whole UK Border Agency, including the visa operation, is subject to scrutiny and oversight by the independent Chief Inspector, John Vine.’

UK Licensed Colleges for Student Visa

visaguidelines — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 10:30:32 +0000

Click here to see

UK Licensed Colleges for Student Visa Tier 4 Category

25% of UK Doctors have their roots in India

visaguidelines — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 07:47:31 +0000

Mixed messages from Government fuel concern

Keith Best, Chief Executive of the Immigration Advisory Service, yesterday chaired the meeting of the Migration Parliamentary Group in the Boothroyd Room, Portcullis House, House of Commons at 4 pm attended by a large number of people. The Migration Parliamentary Group, a fully registered APPG, seeks to provide Parliamentarians access to accurate and up-to-date information on migration issues.

The meeting examined the issue of whether migration is of benefit to Britain in a disinterested way looking at both advantages and disadvantages. It was addressed by Meg Hillier MP Home Office Minister, Neil Gerrard MP, Keith Sonnet Deputy General Secretary UNISON (which sponsored the event), Jack Dromey Deputy General Secretary of Unite the Union and Tim Finch, Head of Migration, Equalities and Citizenship of the Institute for Public Policy Research.

The meeting heard that 38% of doctors and 44% of dentists in the UK trained outside the UK and 25% of our doctors have their roots in India. “The enormous contribution of doctors from the Indian sub-continent to the NHS is such that it would collapse without them,” said Keith Best. “The work we do with the British Association of Physicians of Indian Origin (BAPIO) reinforces this point. The same is true of the nursing profession.”

Keith Sonnet stated that there are 15-20% vacancy rates nationally for social care workers and in the London Boroughs this rises to more than 30%. 18% of social care workers and 23% of nurses are migrants.

One of the participants from the organisation representing newsagents said that 65% of their members are of foreign origin. Dispelling some of the myths the meeting was told that only 1.8% of social housing is occupied by people who have lived in the UK for less than five years and all of those had compelling personal circumstances whereas 87% of such housing is occupied by those who were born in the UK.

The main conclusion of the meeting, however, was that public confidence in the immigration system has been eroded by mixed messages coming from the Government – on one hand stating that migrants bring benefit to the UK but on the other highlighting the crackdown on illegal working and tightening the rules so as to admit fewer people. In recent times two Home Secretaries have described the immigration system as not fit for purpose and maladroit – small wonder that this together with the apparent need to keep legislating conveys the impression that the whole system is in crisis.

Making an appointment for student visa applications centres in North India

visaguidelines — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 11:51:20 +0000

To schedule an appointment, please email VFS between 8:00 and 15:00, Monday – Friday. You should make an appointment for each individual applying for a visa, apart from children under 5 years of age.

To apply at New Delhi, Jalandhar or Chandigarh please send an email to ukappointmentnorth@vfshelpline.com

To apply at Mumbai (north and south), Ahmedabad or Pune please send an email to ukappointmentwest@vfshelpline.com

To apply at Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad or Cochin please send an email to ukappointmentsouth@vfshelpline.com

To apply at Kolkata please send an email to ukappointmenteast@vfshelpline.com

What to include in your email

Name and surname of the applicant
Passport number
Visa category
Visa application centre you would like to attend
Preferred date and time (Please provide 3 options)

VFS will send you an email by the end of the day confirming your appointment. You need to print this out and bring it with you to the visa application centre. You should reach the visa application centre 5 minutes before your appointment time.

New arrangements for student visa applications at the visa application centres in North India. With effect from 30 November 2009, all customers who wish to submit student visa applications at the visa application centres in New Delhi, Chandigarh and Jalandhar are required to make a prior appointment. These arrangements have been introduced to improve the visa service and reduce waiting times for all customers. To make an appointment, please email ukappointmentnorth@vfshelpline.com (for further information about appointments please refer to “scheduling an appointment” on this website). Please email only if your course begins on or before 15 February 2010 and you hold a valid Visa Letter.

When you request an appointment: please specify which visa application centre you wish to visit; you must send a scanned copy of your Visa Letter with your request and the appointment must be made in the name of the applicant who will attend the visa application centre to submit the application. It is not possible for appointment details to be changed once made or for another person to attend the visa application centre. Please note it is not possible to obtain an appointment by visiting or telephoning the visa application centres.

It is important that the student visa application form is completed fully and all documents are assembled before the applicant attends the visa application centre by appointment. Applicants will be permitted to enter the visa application centre only if they possess the completed visa application form, passport, the visa fee and other supporting documents.

At the moment please do not request an appointment if your course starts after 15 February 2010. We will announce when further appointments are available.

Estonia Visa guidelines

visaguidelines — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:06:29 +0000

Estonia waived the visa invitation requirement

As of July 30, 2009, visa applicants no longer have to present an invitation approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board or other form of invitation, and from now on other supporting documents will be sufficient to prove the purpose of travel.

Visa invitations submitted to and approved by the Citizenship and Migration Board before July 30 will be valid in foreign missions of Estonia as documents certifying the travel purpose within 6 months following the date of the corresponding decision.All other requirements will remain as before.The most important thing for the visa applicant is to present his or her travel plans honestly and clearly and to fill in the visa application with his or her contact information and primary address of residence in Estonia. It is also required to submit documents that certify the purpose of travel and prove the existence of sufficient resources to cover return travel, sustenance and accommodation. It would also be useful for the applicant to indicate his or her connection to Estonia (for example, documents proving marital or family status, or a letter or email written by the person being visited in Estonia describing the person’s connection to the visa applicant).

The consul still reserves the right to ask the visa applicant or relevant individual or organisation to present oral or written explanations of the need for a visa. As before, the consul may request documents that certify the applicant’s intention to leave the Schengen area upon the expiration of the visa: return tickets, sufficient means of subsistence, proof of employment, proof of real estate in the country of residence, proof of ties with the country of residence (family ties, professional status) etc.

To prove the purpose of travel, the following supplementary documents could be submitted (the list is non-exhaustive):

For business travel: written confirmation from the company organising the meeting, conference, etc.; invitations/tickets to a fair or seminar; documents that prove the existence of business ties or certify the applicant’s connection to or status in a company.

For personal travel: documents confirming accommodation (hotel reservation, a letter or email which confirms that the host will allow accommodation for the visa applicant); travel package; copies of travel tickets.

Honorary Consul in New Delhi

Mr. ANIL VIG
Operating region: India, except regions covered by Honorary Consul Sunil Khanna

F-402, 4th Floor, Plot No. D-1
Distt. Center, Ras Vilas
Saket
New Delhi 110 017
India
Tel: +91-11-47289900 (30 lines)
Fax: +91-11-47289936, 47289939
e-mail: anika@del2.vsnl.net.in, anil.vig@anika.in

Honorary Consul in Mumbai

Mr. SUNIL KHANNA
Operating region: Maharastra, Gujarati and Goa

312 T.V. Industrial Estate
248/A, S.K. Ahire Marge, Worli
Mumbai 400030
Tel: +91 22 2496 88 82/ 83 / 84/ 85
Fax: +91 22 2496 88 86
E-mail: khush2002@vsnl.com

Belgium Visa Guidelines

visaguidelines — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:20:10 +0000

	Visa
	1. Do you need a visa to come to Belgium?
	2. Documents required for a visa
	3. Where should you apply for your visa?
	4. How much does a visa cost?
	5. Status of your application
	6. Legal framework
	7. F.A.Q
	8. Possibilities of appeal following rejection of a visa application

Consular Fees

01 July 2009 (as per rate 1 Euro = 68 Indian Rupees)	Euro	Fee (INR)

Visa application – transit or visitor’s visa (type A, B, C)	60	4080
Visa application – resident visa (type D, D+C)	180	12240
Application for a passport (5 years) (> 12 yrs)	79	5372
Application for a passport (5 years) (< 12 yrs)	35	2380
Passport of 64 pages	240	16320
Application for a provisional passport	50	3400
Application for an Emergency Travel Document	10	680
Application for an Identity Card	11	748
Non-objection to marriage certificate	10	680
Legalization (attestation of document)	10	680
Not specifically tariffed certificates	10	680
Attestation of registration	0	0
Attestation of domicile/residence	10	680
Attestation of family composition	10	680
Certificate of cohabitation	10	680
Life certificate	0	0
Certified translation	20	1360
True certified copy	10	680
Permit for the transportation of mortal remains	0	0
Deed relative to maritime matters	50	3400
Deed persuant to birth, death, marriage, nationality	10	680
a. Application for a Professional Card	125	8500
b. Issuance of the Professional Card – per year (or a fraction thereof)	75	5100
c. Extension of the Professional Card – per year (or a fraction thereof)	75	5100

All payments to be made in the form of demand drafts drawn in favour of Embassy of Belgium, New Delhi, in INR.

for more inforation

Czech Republic Visa Forms & Guidelines

visaguidelines — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 13:48:23 +0000

Visa Information

Depending on the type of visa, this information is divided into the following sections: 1. Visa for stay up to 90 days 2. Transit visa 3. Airport visa 4. Visa for study, employment and other long term visas Please note that: The visa application form can be downloaded from

Depending on the type of visa, this information is divided into the following sections:

1. Visa for stay up to 90 days

2. Transit visa

3. Airport visa

4. Visa for study, employment and other long term visas

5. Information for visa applicants

Please note that: The visa application form can be downloaded from the website www.mfa.cz/visaform .

! After 24th November 2005 a Medical Travel Insurance for any type of Visa is required

To obtain the original application form contact the Consular Department of the Embassy.

1. VISA FOR STAY UP TO 90 DAYS

Requirements:

When applying for a visa, the following must be enclosed with your visa application:

1) original visa application – first three pages of the form must be filled out completely (with ballpoint pen or by typewriter, do not use red ink) and applicant’s signature is required;

2) original travel document – passport – valid for at least 90 days beyond the expiration date of the requested visas;

3) Medical Travel Insurance

4) one photograph glued (please do not staple) to the upper part of the first page of the application;

5) The visa officer may also ask for documents such as confirmation of accomodation or documents proving the applicant´s possession of sufficient funds to cover his living expenses in the Czech Republic. (E.g. in case of longer stay a recent bank statement or a letter from your host or sponsor in the Czech Republic confirming that he/she will support you during your visit and evidence that he/she can do so). You may be asked for the same by the Czech immigration officer at the border crossing.

6) copy of a valid airplane ticket to and from the Czech Republic with specified dates (not an open one).

Visa applications presented in person are processed in approximately 5 days.

THE PROCESSING OF APPLICATION FORM IS COMPUTERIZED. IF THE FORM IS NOT COMPLETED LEGIBLY AND FULLY, YOU RISK YOUR VISA MAY BE DELAYED OR THE APPLICATION NOT PROCESSED AT ALL.

Please note:

- the Visa Office may always request additional documents and/or information before issuing the visa, therefore always include your home or office telephone number !

- in some cases the decision making process can take up to 30 days. The Embassy can not guarantee issuance of any visa. The decision is final and irrevocable.

- no visa can be obtained at the border or at the airports !

- the maximum length of an individual stay in the Czech Republic based on a visa is 90 days. The visa may be used at any time within 6 months from the date of issue.

- no vaccination certificates are required unless coming from an infected area.

- imports and exports: personal effects brought into the Czech Republic for use during a visit are not subject to import duty. Import of gifts is permitted without duty and VAT if the quantity and value do not exceed 6000,- Crowns.

Please pay attention to the customs information on exports available upon arrival at border crossing points.

- bearers of Czech tourist visas must register at any Czech Immigration Police Station within 3 days after arrival in the Czech Republic. Visitors staying in hotels are registered automatically.

There is no visa fee for children under 15 years of age.

1.1. Single entry

A single entry visa for a period of stay not exceeding 90 days.

1.2. Multiple entry

A multiple entry visa for a period of stay not exceeding 90 days.

2. TRANSIT VISA

Transit through the Czech Republic:

Citizens of third countries may transit through the territory of the Czech Republic without Czech visa in case their stay will not exceed 5 days and they are holding one the visa or permit of stay mentioned bellow. This is applicable from 1. 9. 2006.
- valid Schengen visa (type B or C valid for all Schengen countries, national visa is excluded)
- valid visa type B or C issued by one of the new EU members
- valid long term visa (type D) issued by EU member state (excluding UK and Ireland), Island, Norway, Switzerland, Lichtenstein

3. AIRPORT VISA

Citizens of the following countries can enter and stay in transit at the international airport in the Czech Republic only with a valid airport visa issued by the Embassy of the Czech Republic abroad:

Afghanistan
Bangladesh
Eritrea
Ethiopia
Ghana

India
Iraq
Iran
Kongo
Nigeria
Pakistan
Somalia
Sri Lanka
Syria

This requirement does not apply to citizens of the above countries who:

a) hold a VALID VISA of any EU country or Norway, Island or Lichtenstein or the RESIDENCE PERMIT/LONG TERM VISA of USA and Canada, Japan, Monacco, Switzerland, San Marino or Andorra.

b) travel DIRECTLY from one of the countries listed under a) holding a document proving they had a valid residence visa/permit before their departure,

c) are holders of diplomatic, service, official or special passport.

4.VISA FOR STUDY, EMPLOYMENT and OTHER LONG TERM VISAS

Requirements:

Note:

All documents must be presented in the original or a notarized copy.

All affidavits and legal documents issued and/or signed in the Czech Republic must be notarized by a Czech notary.

All documents must not be older than 180 days.

The following documents must be submitted:

1. The application form (available upon request at the Czech Embassy or a consulate)

2. 2 photographs

3. Original passport. Its validity must exceed the expected length of stay by at least 455 days.

4. Medical Travel Insurance

5. Document confirming your sufficient financial resources for the stay in the Czech Republic:

- bank account statement in your name from a bank in the Czech Republic or in country of your residence showing present balance together with your name
- a letter from the host or sponsor confirming support of the applicant during his or her stay in the Czech Republic (in case of a study program only !)
* The minimum acceptable amount of financial resources : approx. 34.800,- CZK + 4.640 CZK/per each month of stay
* In case of business stay exceeding 90 days: approx 116.000,- CZK
* For juveniles applies half of the above stated amounts.

6. A document regarding the purpose of stay in the Czech Republic.

Please, find the respective purpose of your stay:

a) student class
– the original or a notarized copy of a document certifying the acceptance into a study program in the Czech Republic issued by a Czech university or school /copy notarized by a Czech notary/

b) employment class
– a notarized copy of a working permit issued by the Employment Administration Office (”Povolení k zaměstnání”) in the Czech Republic /notarized by a Czech notary/ (*** in case of work in the Czech Republic you are required to obtain a visa even in case of period of stay not exceeding 90 days !!! On the other hand since the requirements for this kind of visa are simplier than for stay exceeding 90 days, we suggest you to ask for specific instructions

c) commercial and investment class
– a notarized copy of a Record from the Commercial Register (”Zápis od Obchodního rejstříku”) in the Czech Republic /notarized by a Czech notary/

d) licensed professionals and bussines
– a notarized copy of a document confirming a discontinuation of the procedure for issuing trade license (” Živnostenské oprávnění”) from “Živnostenský úřad”. This applies when the trade license has not been issued because of nonexistence of the long term permit.

- a notarized copy of a trade license (”Živnostenský list”)

- a notarized copy of a preliminary trade license (”ohlášení živnosti) in case that živnostenský list was not issued

- a notarized copy of a business license (”Koncesní listina”)

- a notarized copy of a contract or notarial protocol (”notářský zápis”) confirming the establishment of a company

- a notarized copy of a Record from the Commercial Register (”Zápis do Obchodního rejstříku”)

e) family/accompanying family member
– a notarized copy of a marriage certificate – in case of a wife/husband, certified by the Apostille

- a notarized copy of a birth certificate – in case of a child, certified by the Apostille

- other document certifying the relationship to relatives

f) visit/invitation – the original official invitation letter certified by the Immigration Police of the Czech Republic

g) other purpose of stay (medical, cultural, sport, trade, business, foundation, tourist, and other)
– a document or an affidavit certifying the reason of stay, for example if you wish to establish a foundation, you will need a notarized copy of a registration certificate issued by the respective District Office.

7. A document regarding accommodation in the Czech Republic

The original statement of the owner of an apartment stating his/her ability and willingness to provide an accommodation for the time of stay /signature must be notarized by a Czech notary/. – in case of a lease of an apartment/house – the original or a notarized copy of the lease contract – in case of an underlease – the original or a notarized copy of the lease contract and affidavit signed by the owner confirming the underlease /signature must be notarized by a Czech notary/. – in case of study, you may present an original document issued by a Czech university or school confirming accommodation for the time of your studies.

8. The application for the Criminal History Record issued by the Police in the Czech Republic

The form, which is available upon request at the Czech Embassy or a consulate, must be completed /your signature must be notarized by a Notary Public/.

9. A processing fee + 200,- CZK for Criminal History Record

Fees paid in cash or a money order should be payable to the Embassy of Czech Republic. No personal checks, please. Consular fee might change without prior notice !

IMPORTANT !

The processing time is approximately 120 days from the date the complete application is received (60 days in case of study).
Issuing a visa – after the Embassy receives an approval of the application form from the Czech Immigration Police the applicant will be asked to mail us the passport. Starting January 1, 2008 the applicant is obliged to pick up the passport 5 months at the latest after submitting the visa application form.

The visa will be issued in approximately three days.
Please enclose your phone number. Thank you.

Employment of Foreigners

The conditions for employing foreigners in the Czech Republic are laid down in the Law on employment according to which foreigners or persons without citizenship may be employed in the territory of the Czech Republic provided that they were granted an employment permit and residence permit.

The conditions for employing foreigners in the Czech Republic are laid down in the Law on employment according to which foreigners or persons without citizenship may be employed in the territory of the Czech Republic provided that they were granted an employment permit and residence permit.

Similarly as for employment, an employment permit is also required for a foreigner or a person without citizenship who intends to work in the territory of the Czech Republic within a labour relationship with a foreign employer who is sending him(her) to perform such work on the basis of a commercial or other agreement concluded with a Czech legal or natural person.

The Labour Authority in the territory of which the employment is to be performed makes the decisions on issuing a permit to acquire an employee from abroad and on an employment permit for such employee.

Issue of a permit for an employer to acquire employees from abroad, as well as issue of an employment permit for a foreigner is subject to payment of an administrative fee.

An exception from the above provisions is granted for the citizens of the Slovak Republic who are employed in the territory of the Czech Republic on the basis of Agreement No. 227/1993 Coll. between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on mutual employment of citizens and Administrative agreement between the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic and the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic related to the Agreement between the Czech Republic and the Slovak Republic on mutual employment of citizens.

A Czech employer shall register a citizen of the Slovak Republic at the Labour Authority in the area of his(her) registered seat. A foreign employer who is sending a Slovak citizen to perform work in the territory of the Czech Republic shall register such person at the Labour Authority in the area where the work will be performed.

The employer:

The Law subjects the possibility to acquire employees from abroad to the condition that such employees may only be acquired for vacancies that have been notified by the employer to the Labour Authority and for which a Czech citizen, and in particular an applicant for employment, can not be hired. Vacancies mean newly created or vacated jobs for which the employer intends to hire an employee.

An employer shall submit an application for a permit to acquire employees from abroad to the Labour Authority in the area where the work of the future employee will be performed. With the application, the employer shall submit an officially verified copy of the following documents: excerpt from the Business Index, business permit or other certification of the statute of the organization, e.g. the foundation instrument of a social organization, etc.

Within the administrative procedure, the employer shall document, on request by the Labour Authority:

how (s)he has dealt with the lack of labour force (advertisement, labour market, unsuccessful offer for training, etc.)

detailed characteristic of activity for which a foreigner will be hired;

description of accommodation allowing for assessment whether such accommodation complies with sanitary regulations.

A permit to acquire employees from abroad may be issued provided that the employer offers the foreign employee the same labour and salary conditions as are usual for Czech citizens within the same labour assignment pursuant to the valid regulations or in accordance with collective agreements or labour agreements, as appropriate, and that the foreigner will be insured within compulsory social and health insurance.

For this purpose, the Labour Authority shall require that the employer submit a draft labour contract that must include, in addition to information following from the Labour Code (i.e. type of work for which the employee is hired, the place of work and the day of commencement of work):

the expected term of employment;

gross salary for the performed work;

the address of accommodation and the manner of payment therefor.

The draft labour contract shall be accompanied by documents on:

the manner of ensuring financial means for traveling to the country of residence following termination of the labour relation (including premature termination);

officially verified certification of provision of accommodation for the expected term of employment.

When the Labour Authority issues a permit to the employer to acquire employees from abroad, each foreign employee, prior to commencing labour activities for such employer, must obtain an employment permit from the locally competent Labour Authority pursuant to the place of employment and a residence permit for the purpose of this employment.

When the Labour Authority issues a permit to the employer to acquire employees from abroad, this employer may employ foreigners only provided that these have

a valid employment permit issued by the locally competent Labour Authority pursuant to the place of employment,

a valid residence permit for the purpose of employment,

concluded a written labour contract for a term that is in accord with the term set by the Labour Authority in the decision on employment permit for such foreigner,

and provided that the employer registers these employees for payment of social and health insurance premiums.

The obligation of the employer to notify the Labour Authority within 5 calendar days of hiring an employee for a vacant job (newly created or vacated) also applies when a foreign employee is hired for such job.

A permit to acquire employees from abroad is also required for employers who already employ a foreigner on the basis of relevant permits and who intend to transfer such foreigner to a different place of employment outside of the district for which a permit to acquire employees from abroad has been issued.

A permit to acquire employees from abroad is not required for foreign employers who are sending their employees to the Czech Republic to perform work on the basis of a commercial or other agreement concluded with a Czech legal or natural person.

An application for employment permit shall be submitted by a foreigner who

intends to be employed in the territory of the Czech Republic within a labour-law relationship with a Czech legal or natural person. This category also includes e.g. company associates, acting officers, members of supervisory boards, chief clerks, limited partners in limited partnerships etc., who, in addition to such activity, intend to be in a labour-law relationship with a commercial company founded pursuant to the Commercial Code;

are in a labour-law relationship with a foreign employer who is sending him(her) to perform work in the territory of the Czech Republic on the basis of a commercial or other agreement concluded with a Czech legal or natural person.

Together with the application, the foreigner shall submit:

a copy of the page of his(her) passport containing the basic identification information;

officially verified copy of a document on his(her) professional qualification for the area in which (s)he will work in the territory of the Czech Republic (certificate of apprenticeship, secondary school certificate, certificate of completion of university studies etc.); such document must be translated into Czech language and officially verified;

health certificate for work in medical professions, restaurants, foodstuff industry or other areas where such certificate is required.

The foreigner shall be a participant in the administrative procedure in which (s)he may be represented by a representative authorized thereby (usually the employer) on the basis and within the scope of the power of attorney.

The Labour Authority shall issue an employment permit for a vacancy reported by the employer for which the employer has obtained a permit to acquire employees from abroad.

The Labour Authority shall also issue an employment permit for reported vacancies for which employees will be hired through voting or designation and for which the employer is not obliged to obtain a permit to acquire employees from abroad. In this case, the employer shall prove in writing that the employee is hired for such job on the basis of voting or designation.

An employment permit is issued for a fixed period of time, however not exceeding one year. A foreigner may apply for an employment permit repeatedly.

An employment permit is not transferable and contains information expressly stated in the decision concerning

the employer,

the place of employment,

type of performed work,

term of employment.

An employment permit is valid only for employment at the employer set forth in the decision. The permit is also connected with a certain type of work and place of employment. If certain conditions set forth in this employment permit are to change before expiration of validity of the permit, the foreigner is obliged to request the locally competent Labour Authority to issue a new employment permit.

An employment permit is required for all labour-law relationships in the sense of the Labour Code, performed by a foreigner in the territory of the Czech Republic, i.e. employment, secondary employment, agreement on performance of work, agreement on labour activities, also if such labour-law relationships occur concurrently. If a foreigner concurrently performs several jobs in the territory of the Czech Republic, a separate employment permit is required for each employer and this permit must be issued by the locally competent Labour Authority pursuant to the place of the given employment.

During the term of employment, a foreigner who is employed pursuant to the valid regulations of the Czech Republic is subject not only to labour-law regulations, in particular the Labour Code, but also to salary regulations, and regulations on general health insurance and social security.

With regard to the situation on the labour market, an employment permit shall also be issued to a foreigner who will be

employed in a border region with daily or weekly commutation to the place of is(her) residence in the neigbour state;

a seasonal employee for a term of six months during a calendar year with a period of at least six months between the individual cases of employment;

employed for the purpose of increasing his(her) abilities and qualification in the given profession (affiliation) for a set period of time not exceeding one year. The term of employment may be prolonged, however not for longer than is necessary for acquiring professional qualification pursuant to the regulations valid in the Czech Republic;

performing continuous educational activities as a pedagogical assistant or academic assistant of a university.

Without regard to the situation on the labour market, an employment permit shall be issued to a foreigner

designated in an international agreement binding the Czech Republic and published in the Collection of Laws;

under 26 years of age who is performing occasional and temporally limited work in the framework of a school exchange.

In the above cases, the jobs in question are not reported as vacancies and hiring of foreigners for such jobs does not require a permit to acquire employees from abroad pursuant to § 19 of Law No. 1/1991 Coll., on employment, as amended.

An employment permit is not required for a foreigner who

is granted the position of a refugee or has applied for granting of such position;

has a permit for permanent residence in the territory of the Czech Republic;

is a relative of a member of a diplomatic mission, consulate or a relative of an employee of an international government organization with a seat in the territory of the Czech Republic provided that reciprocity is guaranteed by an international agreement concluded on behalf of the Government of the Czech Republic. In this case, the employer shall notify the locally competent Labour Authority within 8 working days from commencement of the employment of the foreigner. This notification is important for control and statistical purposes.

isan artist,a pedagogical assistant,an academic assistant of a university,a scientific assistant attending a scientific meeting,a pupil or student up to 26 years of age,a sportsman,a person providing for supply of goods or services or supplying such goods in the Czech Republic,a person carrying out assembly on the basis of a commercial contract or carrying out guarantee and repair works,and whose period of stay in the territory of the Czech Republic does not exceed seven consequent calendar days or a total of 30 days during a calendar year. In this case, the employer shall notify the locally competent Labour Authority within 8 working days from commencement of the employment of the foreigner. This notification is important for control and statistical purposes.

is employed in the territory of the Czech Republic pursuant to an international agreement binding the Czech Republic and published in the Collection of Laws;

is a member of a rescue squad and is providing assistance on the basis of an international agreement on mutual assistance in eliminating consequences of accidents and natural disasters and in case of a humanitarian aid;

is employed in an international public transport;

is accredited in the media;

is a member of military forces or a civil unit of a party to the North Atlantic Treaty;

enjoys diplomatic or consular privileges and immunities pursuant to international law.

The Law on employment does not apply to a foreigner who

performs labour activity on the basis of a small business authorization and registration in the Business Index,

performs activities in the territory of the Czech Republic in the framework of mutual affiliations of university students and young university graduates provided that this is carried under the following conditions:

the purpose of the mutual affiliation consists in education, including “life-long” education,

the potential employment is a part of such education,

the income of the foreigner in the territory of the Czech Republic is not derived from his(her) working performance and the conditions for providing such income are based on an agreement with the foreign organization sending the foreigner for such affiliation (usually by means of a fellowship or contribution from a fund), and not on a labour contract or any other individually concluded labour-law agreement with a legal or natural person with a seat in the Czech Republic.

The above conditions may be proved through a contract (usually on international cooperation in education) on the basis of which the foreigner has been sent to the Czech Republic.

An employment permit is also required for a foreigner who will perform work in the territory of the Czech Republic within a labour-law relationship with a foreign employer who is sending him(her) to perform work on the basis of a commercial or other agreement concluded with a Czech legal or natural person.

The procedure of making decision on an application of a foreigner for an employment permit is similar as for a foreigner who will be employed within a labour-law relation with a Czech legal or natural person.

Furthermore, a copy of the commercial or other agreement concluded by the foreign legal or natural person and the Czech legal or natural person, and a copy of the document authorizing the foreign entity to carry out activities that are the subject matter of the commercial or other agreement shall be annexed to the application for an employment permit. For a group of persons, such documents shall be submitted in a single copy. The foreign employer shall submit such annexes translated into Czech and officially verified.

A foreigner employed by a foreign employer and sent to perform work in the Czech Republic shall be remunerated in accordance with the labour contract concluded with his(her) employer. The concluded labour contract, as well as health insurance and social security, shall usually be subject to regulations valid in the country of the employer who is fully responsible for the contents of the contract, as well as for the payment of insurance premiums.

Employment of foreigners on the basis of international agreements is subject to valid regulations unless such agreement lays down otherwise.

International agreements respect regulations of the parties thereto and take into account requirements of the parties for administrative procedure on mutual employment and/or allow for laying down limits for the number of employed foreigners for the individual calendar years.

The procedures of the Labour Authority in issuing, refusing issue and withdrawing foreigner’s employment permit are usually laid down in the principles of the pertinent international agreements or protocols thereto.

Prior to expiry of the term of validity of an employment permit, a foreigner may submit application to the competent Labour Authority for a new (repeated) issue of the employment permit.

The competent authorities of SCPP pursuant to the place of residence decide on prolonging residence permits.

The validity of an employment permit extinguishes

with expiry of the period for which it was issued,

with termination of the employment prior to expiry of the period for which the employment permit was issued,

with expiry of the period for which a residence permit was issued or with extinguishment of a residence permit for other reasons.

An employment permit shall be withdrawn from a foreigner on the basis of a decision by the Labour Authority if the foreigner fails to comply with the conditions laid down in the decision on the employment permit. A specimen form of a decision on withdrawing an employment permit is available in the OK system.

A foreigner who is employed without an employment permit may be punished pursuant to regulations valid for this area.

An employer who employs a foreigner without the pertinent permits may be punished pursuant to regulations valid in the area of employment.

for more inforation