Update: Entry to the Czech Republic - new regulation from 23 August 2021

The text of the valid Protective Measure determining the restriction of crossing the state border of the Czech Republic can be found here. The following information is only a brief summary of the conditions for travel, please always consult the detailed rules with the staff Consular department of the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Beirut to acquaint yourself with the text of the valid Protective Measure of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic.

Traveling from the Czech Republic

The general recommendation to consider all trips to countries with a high risk of COVID-19 transmission still remains.

Traveling to the Czech Republic

The following categories are allowed to travel to the Czech Republic from Lebanon: Holders of long-term visas and long-term, temporary or permanent residence permits in the Czech Republic; holders of Schengen visas issued after 11 May 2020; foreigners with a long-term or permanent residence permit in the EU; family members of Czech and EU citizens; foreigners living with a Czech or EU citizen in a common household in an unmarried long-term relationship and also all fully vaccinated persons (see conditions below). The complete list of categories of persons who are allowed to enter the Czech Republic is determined by Article II.2 of the Protective Measure.

Travelers entering the Czech Republic must submit a completed Public Health Passenger Locator Form before entering the Czech Republic. All travelers must also provide a negative RT-PCR test not older than 72 hours upon arrival. Between 5th and 14th day after entry in the Czech Republic travelers have to take another RT-PCR test to assess the presence of SARS-CoV-2 virus. Until the result of the second PCR test, passengers have to self-isolate (free movement is limited to journeys necessary to provide basic necessities and childcare, journeys strictly necessary to procure and care for animals, use of necessary financial and postal services, refueling; acute trips to medical facilities, trips to social services facilities; travel for urgent official matters and funerals).

These rules do not apply to fully vaccinated persons (they only have to fill in the Public Health Passenger Locator Form, please pay attention to the conditions, see below), children under six years of age (children under 12 years of age do not have to take a PCR test before traveling to the Czech Republic, but they must take the test within 5 days from entering the Czech Republic and until the test result is obtained they have to self-isolate - please plan well, parents may take the test in the Czech Republic no earlier than the fifth day, children 6-12 years must take the test within five days!), professional artists and athletes, etc.

According to the valid rules, only a person who holds an EU COVID digital certificate, a country certificate that is bilaterally recognized by the Czech Republic or that is recognized in accordance with EU regulations, is considered a vaccinated person. Vaccination must also be carried out with a vaccine approved by the European Medicines Agency or the WHO. Lists of recognized vaccines and certificates can be found on the website of the Ministry of Health of the Czech Republic. Currently, certificates issued in Lebanon for vaccines from Astra Zeneca and Pfizer are recognized for travelling to the Czech Republic!

Entry of foreigners into the Czech Republic

The range of services offered by the Visa section of the Embassy of the Czech Republic is limited, details can be found in Article I.14 of the Protection Measure. It is now possible to apply for:

Short-stay visas (application via VFS Global)

• for the purpose of seasonal employment or for the purpose of employment in food production, health care or social services;
• short-stay visas for scientific, key and highly qualified staff and critical infrastructure service staff,
• short-term visas for family members of Czech citizens, from the foreign policy interest of the Czech Republic, for international transport workers, accredited members of diplomatic missions, for partners of Czech citizens from unmarried couples and in extraordinary and urgent situations;

Long-term visas and stays

• long-term visas for seasonal employment,
• temporary residence, if they are submitted by foreigners included in government programs in order to achieve economic or other significant benefit for the Czech Republic,
• permanent residence, if they are submitted by foreigners included in the government program according to Government Resolution No. 1014 of 8 December 2014,
• a blue card, a long-term residence permit for the purpose of scientific research and applications for a residence permit for more than 90 days of spouses or registered partners and minor children of researchers or blue card applicants,
• long-term visas and long-term residence permits for the purpose of study pursuant to § 64 of Act No. 326/1999 Coll., On the residence of foreigners in the Czech Republic and amending certain Acts, as amended;
• long-term or permanent residence permit for the purpose of family cohabitation in the territory and applications for a long-term visa for the purpose of family, if it is a spouse or registered partner and minor children of a foreigner with a long-term or permanent residence permit in the Czech Republic,
• long-term visas for cultural and sports purposes,
• Residence permit, if the entry of these foreigners is in the interest of the Czech Republic, if the interest of the Czech Republic is documented by an appropriate document.

Therefore, it is not possible to apply, for example, for Schengen visas for the purpose of tourism, business trips, visits of friends and family (outside defined family members) or employment cards!

These restrictions do not apply to fully vaccinated persons who may apply for any residence permit or visa without restriction (see above the definition of vaccinated person). Applicants have to present an original COVID-19 vaccination certificate while applying for a visa.

ADMISSION OF VISA APPLICATIONS

Applicants for the visas/permits can only apply by appointment.

SCHENGEN VISA

Applications are only accepted via VFS Global in Beirut. However Family members of EU citizens can turn directly to the Embassy.

Legal sources:

? Regulation (EC) No 810/2009 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 13 July 2009 establishing a Community Code on Visas (Visa Code)

? Act No 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic and Amending Certain Acts

Useful links:

? Schengen Area Member States

? Ministry of the Interior

? Information of the European Commission about Schengen

? Information of the EUR-Lex about Schengen

? Information of the Ministry of the Interior about Schengen

? Information of the Office for Personal Data Protection about Schengen

? Brochure of the European Commission about Schengen

? Brochure of the European Commission on Entering the EU

? Schengen Visa Information