What to know before getting to #brnoregion

Generaly yes. If you wish to work in the Czech Republic as an employee you must obtain a work permit (“povolení k zaměstnání”). The work permit may come with an “employee card” combining a work permit and residence permit for the purpose of employment in one card. In case you already have a long-term residence permit for a different purpose (studies, family, business…) and you want to start working, then you and your employer apply only for the work permit. 

 

Note: If you are an EU citizen’s family relative, then you don’t need a work permit. If you have a long term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (visa code 95) with nonEU citizen, you don’t need the work permit either. 

 

Note: If you are a holder of “special visa/temporary protection for Ukrainian refugees” you have a free access to the labor market and can start work today. 

That depends on the type of your residence permit. If you have a long-term residence permit for the purpose of business, family (code 17) etc. and you want to start working, you and your employer have to apply for a work permit. There are few exceptions where you are not required to obtain a work permit; for example when you are a student or graduate of a Czech high school or university or hold a long term residence permit for the purpose of family reunification (code 95). See the full list of special cases when you are not required to obtain a work permit to start working. 

The work permit or employment permit is always valid only for a particular position with a particular employer. It is not a permit that would allow you to work wherever. Most larger employers will see to the matter of obtaining a work permit for you themselves as part of the process of hiring you. However, if you have to apply for a work permit yourself, the place to go to is the Labour Office of the Czech Republic (Úřad práce České Republiky). In Brno, the main office is at Polní 37. Your employer will have to announce the open position for a foreigner to the Labour office and you will have to wait 30 days for the position to become available. Read the detailed instructions on the process at the official website of the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs. 

Your application has to specify the potential employer, the job position, the place of work, and the length of time the job will last. The folder you have to submit includes your diploma. The original secondary or university degree diploma has to have an apostille or superlegalization – a stamp from the local authority in the country where the diploma was issued and it needs to be translated to Czech by a certified language service. See our guide Authorization, translations and interpreting to find some useful tips. One important detail: the job position stated in the application must have been reported to the Labour Office as being vacant for 30 days. This means that the Labour office will first have to try to fill the position by turning to job seekers who have already registered with it. Only when this is unsuccessful will they then issue a work permit to non-EU citizens. Obtaining the Work Permit is described in depth on the Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs’ website. 

An employee card is a type of work permit that includes a residence card. It means you don’t need to go through another administrative process to obtain a residence permit. A blue card is another type of residence permit, similar to employee card, that’s combined with the work permit, but this time, it is aimed at job seekers with more advanced qualifications. The blue cards are issued in connection with positions requiring university education or higher specialized education and higher income. Both employee or blue cards are linked to a special registry of the Labour Office that is restricted to jobs open to applicants for these cards. The procedure for obtaining both Employee card and Blue card is described at the Ministry of Interior website. 

Yes, you do. If you are planning to stay in the Czech Republic for over 90 days, you need to obtain a long-term visa or a long-term residence. 

 

Applicants for the visa have to specify a purpose for their stay in the Czech Republic and apply for the appropriate visa at Embassy of the Czech Republic. The purpose of stay might be employment, business, scientific research, studies, family reunification, culture or other. 

 

The Czech Embassy is only authorized to receive an application for a long-term visa; the competent authority for processing it is the Ministry of Interior (MOI). During the procedure, the Czech Embassy communicates with you, invites you for a hearing and calls on you to pick up the visa. Please note that the competent authority for processing your long-term visa or a long-term residency is the Ministry of Interior (MOI). 

Once you were hired by your employer and you have signed the employment contract, you could apply for an Employee card. 

 

The Employee card is a single permit to stay in the Czech Republic for the purpose of employment and to perform work in the job, for which the card was issued. The Employee card is for all types of employment regardless of the level of required professional qualification. 

 

You must file the written application in person at your local Embassy of the Czech Republic. 

 

If you are already staying in the territory of the Czech Republic on a visa for a stay over 90 days or on a long term residence permit for some other purpose, you can file the application with the Czech Immigration office. 

 

The folder for the application will need to contain i.e. the employment contract, proof of accommodation in Brno, professional qualification or diploma, criminal record, a photograph. For the complete list and requirements contact your local Embassy of the Czech Republic or visit the Immigration office website. 

 

When your application is approved, the embassy will issue a visa for the purpose of collecting your employee card (D/VR). Before the visa is issued, you will be asked to submit a travel health insurance valid for the period from the date of entry into the CR to the date on which you are to start working. You will automatically join the public health insurance system on the day you start working. 

 

After the arrival to the CR, you have to visit the MOI office within 3 working days and pick up your employee card. 

Brno Expat Centre provides a general overview and explains how to apply for an Employee card. You can find out more about the process in the guide Residence Permits. 

 

For a fee, BEC can arrange for a professional support from an attorney guiding you through the process and fetching all necessary documents.