Job Discussion Forums

Pendergast · Joined: 08 Feb 2005 Posts: 1

Hi,
According to the information on the Ottawa Czech embassy website, I need a letter from my employer in the Czech republic to obtain a work visa, but many messages on this site describe travelling to CZ and then finding work and arranging contracts once there. Does this mean it's possible to arrange permission to work after one has already entered the country as a visitor? Whenever I try to contact the embassy itself, they just refer me back to the website, so if anyone who's had any experience with this can help out, it would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks!
Conall Pendergast
Toronto, Canada

Andare · Joined: 08 Jul 2003 Posts: 43 Location: Czech Republic

Yeah, it's no problem to come over and then sort your paperwork out in-country. You'll just need to go to Slovakia or somewhere to actually get the visa once everything's completed.

mebluefairy · Joined: 10 Aug 2006 Posts: 6 Location: Quebec, Canada

I have a question following your answer, Andare. You say it's possible to ask for a work visa once in Czech Republic. Does the employer have to participate in that process?

Also, do you know if it's common for foreign teachers to work without a visa?

If you know anything about that, I'd appreciate it.

teflworldwide · Joined: 23 Aug 2006 Posts: 3 Location: Prague

Here is a quick overview of the whole process so you know: First, you will just come here on your passport as a tourist to take the course. You are allowed to stay here for 90 days on your passport. Once you are employed your employer will apply for a work permit for you. This takes about 3 to 4 weeks. After you receive the work permit you will leave the country with the other required documents (your employer will let you know which documents) and go to a Czech Embassy abroad to submit your paperwork. (Most teachers go to Bratislava Slovakia, Dresden Germany or Vienna Austria. These are 1 day trips.) It then takes a couple of months for them to process. You will then receive your residency Visa.

Don�t worry, employers still allow you to work while all of this paperwork is in process. Once you receive your Visa you can stay and work as long as the Visa says. (They are usually issued for 6 months to a year.) Then, 2 to 3 months before your visa expires you can renew it for another 6 months to a year.