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Ukraine - tolerance vs. temporary protection visa

Writer's picture: Kristýna RichtrováKristýna Richtrová

Updated: Apr 4, 2023


The unfortunate situation in Ukraine led to a huge immigration of Ukrainians to the Czech Republic - statistics say that more than 400 000 refugees fled to the Czech Republic. What type of visa are there and what are their benefits?





D/VS/U - Special visa

  • This type of visa was issued once the war broke out until 21. 3. 2022, when the law on the help to Ukraine was implemented.

  • All of these visas issued until the above conditions were automatically transferred to the Temporary protection visa with all its benefits.

  • Process time: immediately

  • Number of entries: multi-entry visa. If the visa sticker does not say so, one can ask the authorities for a new visa sticker, which will already state it is multi-entry.

  • Benefits:

    • free access to the Labour market; with this visa you can work freely anywhere in the Czech Republic without any additional approvals.

    • Free movement in and out of the Czech Republic


D/DO/667, 668, 669 - Temporary protection visa

  • This type of visa started being issued after 21. 3. 2022, when the law on the help to Ukraine was implemented. All the Special visas issued until now were automatically considered as this Temporary protection visa.

  • Process time: immediately

  • Entries: multi-entry visa. If the visa sticker does not say so, one can ask the authorities for a new visa sticker, which will already state it is multi-entry.

  • Benefits:

    • free access to the Labour market; with this visa you can work freely anywhere in the Czech Republic without any additional approvals.

    • Free movement in and out of the Czech Republic

  • Validity: All these visas were issued until 31. 3. 2023. The Czech Republic is now discussing how the extension will look like - these visas will most likely be extended on a basis of an electronic request for a year.



D/VS/91 - Tolerance visa

  • Tolerance visa is issued to those, who for some reason cannot leave the Czech Republic and enter their home country.

  • Process time: 30+ days

  • Entries: 0 entry visa.

  • Downsides:

    • one entry visa. If you leave the country, the visa is terminated and you need to re-apply.

    • no free access to the Labour market! If you have this type of visa, you also need to obtain Work permit from the Labour office in order to start working anywhere in the country.

What about Russian/Belarusian citizens?

Citizens of these countries arse banned from submitting any visa/permit application via the Czech embassies abroad. Submitting applications in the Czech Republic, however, is still allowed. That means that if a Russian citizen lives in an European country on a basis of a Blue card, he/she is allowed to arrive to the Czech Republic and apply for the Blue card in the Czech Republic. The same goes for Russian family members of EU nationals.


 

Czech speakers can listen to this summary also in the following podcast.



Are you an employer and unsure which visa type does your Ukrainian candidate have? Let me know so we can assess his/her employability together.


 

FEBRUARY 2023 UPDATES

Special visa and Temporary protection visa extension process started on January 30.


Process:

- In the first step of the registration, you will be asked to fill in your e-mail, create a password

- You will receive a confirmation email. By clicking on the confirm button, you will be directed to a webpage where you can continue with your registration

You will be asked to fill in your name, surname, date of birth, nationality, phone number and gender, passport number and visa sticker number. Furthermore, your address will be required

2) Booking a term to collect the new extended visa

- this is done at the end of the registration. Pick the office you wish to visit, date and time of your visit and confirm.

3) Collecting the extended visa

- Visit the office of the Ministry of Interior on the chosen day & time to collect your new visa sticker.

- Note that the Ministry is not issuing Bridge visas for the period between the expiration of the current visa and the collection of your new one. Pay attention to this when scheduling holidays and trips outside of the Czech Republic.


The full manual to be found here.

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