Description

Czechia Schengen Visa Policy

The visa policy of the Czech Republic is one and the same as the visa policy of the Schengen Area. The Czech Republic is a Schengen country, joining the bloc by signing the Agreement. By ratifying the Agreement, it became an official Schengen State with a shared visa policy with other member states. This Schengen visa policy allows citizens of the bloc to travel to individual countries in the Union by air, road, and sea without visas, and they can stay for up to 90 days in 180-day periods. As a Schengen citizen, you can also travel to the county with a valid ID card if you don’t have a passport.

The Schengen Area consists of 23 member states and 4 non-European Union countries. Apart from these countries, holders of Schengen visas or Schengen citizens can also travel to Romania, Cyprus, and Bulgaria, which are non-Schengen countries but recognize the Schengen accord. However, the Republic of Ireland doesn’t share the same policy with the Czech Republic or the others, as it has a separate policy.

It is also important to point out that nationals of Single market countries in the EU are exempted from holding visas when visiting the Czech Republic, and they can reside in the country, but the duration is limited to prescribed European Union treaties.

Czechia Schengen Visa ETIAS

The European Travel Information and Authorization System is an electronic authorization system designed for nationals from visa-exempt countries. If you qualify under the Schengen protocol for visa-free entry, you don’t need to apply for visas to travel to the Czech Republic. However, you must apply for Czech ETIAS as a necessity to travel. ETIAS is a security screening system for vetting the Identity of persons from approved countries. The system will screen your information across several databases, and if no alert is triggered, your application will be approved. The system protects member nations from threats and checks illegal migration.

Before now, visa-exempt nationals could visit Schengen states with only valid passports, but that is set to change by early 2024. Visitors may or may not enter the country with this document as it is still under testing and optional. However, ETIAS will become mandatory in 2024.

To apply for ETIAS, you must submit your application online, and attached to the form should be your passport and other travel document. The application form can only be submitted after paying the fee with your credit or debit card. Also, note that the application fee is only charged for 18-70 years old, but persons above 70 pay no fees.

After approval, the ETIAS will be forwarded to your email address and linked to your passport.

Note: ETIAS is not a visa but an entry permit and is only for temporary visits.

Key Information About The Czechia Schengen Visa ETIAS

Find below key information about Czech Republic ETIAS

It Is Not A Visa: This program is not the same as a visa, even though it serves as an entry document. ETIAS is a visa waiver program for persons who do not require visas to enter the Czech Republic. While visas can be issued for short or long-term visits, ETIAS is strictly for short visits.

It Covers The Entire Schengen Region: Another thing to bear in mind regarding ETIAS is that it covers the entire Schengen Area, not only the Czech Republic. If you have ETIAS approval, you can travel to other Schengen countries, including non-Schengen countries like Bulgaria, the Republic of Cyprus, and Romania. This means you don’t have to apply for different approvals for different countries.

Free For Minors and Adults Above 80: Most applicants must pay the application fee, but applicants above 80 years and children under 6 are exempted from the application fee.

Primary Destination: You should only apply for Czech Republic ETIAS if it is the first country you visit in case you have plans to visit many other countries in the region.

The primary rule under the Schengen protocol states that the visitor must first land in the country that appears as the primary destination in their ETIAS permits.

90/180 Rule: Once you arrive in the Czech Republic, you must stay there for up to 90 days in 180 days. This same rule applies if you visit different countries in the Schengen region. If you wish to stay much longer, you must leave the country and wait for the 180th-day cycle to complete before re-entering the country again. Or you may apply for a long-stay visa Instead. The 180-day cycle starts counting the moment you set foot within the borders of any Schengen country.

Travel With The Same Passport: Always makes sure you travel to the Czech Republic with the same passport used for the registration, not a different one. Your ETIAS permit is linked to your passport, and the passport number will be used to generate your details at the entry point. Persons with different passports will not be allowed into the country.

Local ETIAS Unit: As part of the Schengen regulations establishing ETIAS, not all applications will be approved electronically. Applications not outrightly denied by the system will be forwarded to the local ETIAS Unit of the host country for further vetting, which will be done manually. This proves Amy takes a few days to several weeks.