Emigration is not an easy step, requiring a clear understanding that no one is waiting for you in a foreign country, the attitude towards immigrants is usually cautious, and you will have to prove your right to a better life with hard work. Recently, many Russians who have decided to take such a step are considering the Czech Republic as a new homeland. Immigration to the Czech Republic has a number of advantages that I would like to take advantage of. At the same time, in recent years, the migration policy of the Czech Republic has become much tougher and you need to try very hard to move here for permanent residence.
Reasons for immigration to the Czech Republic of CIS citizens
Three main reasons prompting the citizens of the former Soviet Union to seek a new homeland for themselves and their families: economic and political instability, poverty and lack of life prospects in the countries of their current residence.
In this respect, the Czech Republic is very attractive for both young people and pensioners: the state is located in the center of Europe, has EU membership, and is part of the Schengen zone. The steadily developing economy of the Czech Republic, high living standards, low taxes are only a small part of what immigrants who have received the right to live in the country can expect.
Citizens of Ukraine and Moldova prevail among immigrants in the Czech Republic. Over the past two or three years, citizens of Belarus and the Russian Federation, primarily middle-class entrepreneurs, have also begun to show interest in the Czech Republic.
Nice bonuses for new residents will be:
- territorial proximity of the country to Germany and Austria;
- free education in state universities;
- equal conditions for foreigners and local residents in business matters;
- affordable housing and the ability to get a profitable mortgage;
- low crime rate;
- moderate, comfortable climate for living;
- rich cultural and historical heritage of the country.
Many Czech citizens speak Russian. This, as well as the presence of the Russian-speaking diaspora, will facilitate the adaptation process.
It should be borne in mind that without a good knowledge of the Czech language, it will not work to become a full-fledged member of society. Do not believe the myths about the simplicity of this language - the process of learning it is quite complicated and requires a lot of time, patience and effort. The presence of some similarity with Russian, Ukrainian or Belarusian can only complicate learning for their speakers.
Methods of legal immigration to the Czech Republic for Russian citizens
All Russian citizens who seriously think about immigration to the Czech Republic should be sure to familiarize themselves with the next, 53rd amendment 222/2017 Sb "On the stay of foreigners in the Czech Republic" dated June 27, 2021, which significantly changed and supplemented the previous law 326 / 1999.
The new version of the law regulates the mechanisms for obtaining status by foreigners in the Czech Republic, immigration procedures and rules, contains the main requirements for the stay of foreign citizens in the country.
The Czech government has set itself the goal of streamlining the aforementioned procedures, establishing clear universal rules, protecting the interests of its citizens as much as possible and protecting Czech society from the unwanted consequences of uncontrolled immigration.
The innovations that most seriously affected immigrants:
| After the adoption of the 2017 amendments | Prior to the adoption of the 2017 amendments. |
|---|---|
| Possibility of changing the purpose of staying in the country to "Entrepreneurship" | |
| 5 years later. For those who moved in with the aim of family reunification - after three years | After 2 years |
| Investment residence permit in the Czech Republic | |
| For an investment in the country's economy of 75 million CZK or the creation of at least 20 new jobs | - |
| Arrest / Deportation due to expired visa | |
| The right to file a complaint with a court, in case of illegal actions of the authorities - compensation | The right to file a complaint with a court. In case of release earlier than the decision of the court, there will be no compensation. |
| Moving to a new place of work with another employer in a newly formed company | |
| Impossible due to the lack of confirmation of the development of new business activities | Possible if there is no application for a vacancy from Czech citizens within 2 months |
| The possibility of obtaining permanent residence, taking into account the fiction of stay (transitional period with affixing a stamp in the passport) | |
| The stay is not included in the 5-year period. Permanent residence is possible only with a long-term residence permit | It is possible to obtain permanent residence. All the time spent in the Czech Republic was considered legal |
| Violation of Czech legislation by a foreigner | |
| Automatic deportation for any offense, including a minor one | Warning, fine, serving a sentence in the Czech Republic |
The legislative process of regulating and improving migration issues in the Czech Republic has not yet been completed, and various amendments continue to be made to the new law. So, in June 2021, the Czech parliament adopted another amendment to simplify immigration to the country for foreign students and scientists.
It should be borne in mind that there is no state immigration program in the Czech Republic. Everything related to immigration is governed by applicable law.
The Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic regularly posts on its website up-to-date information regarding new changes in legislation.
In 2021, several methods of legal immigration to the Czech Republic remain: for family reunification, study at Czech universities, labor immigration.
Note that Czech origin does not provide practically any benefits in obtaining Czech citizenship. Religious and non-governmental organizations provide assistance to the migrants here.
Immigration to the Czech Republic for the purpose of family reunification
This option will be ideal for those who have a direct relative with a Czech passport or residence permit / permanent residence in the Czech Republic. The following have the right to a long stay in the Czech Republic through family reunification:
- spouse or spouse. To provide permanent residence, at least three years of cohabitation are required. The Czech authorities pay great attention to verifying the authenticity of marriage relations and require the provision of reliable evidence;
- native or adopted children under the age of 26 - in the case of university studies;
- parents (both relatives and adoptive) who, due to illness or due to old age, are not able to provide for themselves on their own.
The package of necessary documents includes, first of all, papers confirming the declared relationship, the presence of a dwelling, the possibility of maintaining relatives.
Please note that from 01.01. In 2021, the living wage was increased in the Czech Republic (decree No. 407/2017 of November 29, 2021). Thus, a family of three should have a combined income of 15 116 CZK per month, of four - 18 827 CZK. The term for issuing a decision on granting a residence permit is 270 days.
Immigration to the Czech Republic through employment
From 2021, it is impossible for foreigners from third world countries to obtain a residence permit for the purpose of employment in the Czech Republic, as well as a Green Card. They have been replaced by a labor card or an employee card. The plastic card contains biometric information about its holder and allows both residence and employment in the Czech Republic for two years with the right to renew.
The labor card is issued for all types of work without qualification.
The Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs of the Czech Republic regularly updates the list of job vacancies on its integrated portal. You can search for vacancies in three directions, each of which contains a list of professions:
- for executives, holders of higher education diplomas and highly qualified specialists;
- for applicants with complete secondary education;
- for applicants who do not have a certificate of maturity and qualifications.
Here, on the portal, you can register with any regional branch of the Employment Department and enter your data into the register of people looking for work.
The “blue card” intended for highly qualified workers or holders of acutely deficient specialties has survived in the Czech Republic. You can search for free vacancies for obtaining a "Blue Card" on the website.
Immigration through investment and entrepreneurship
Among the latest innovations in Czech legislation is the possibility of obtaining a residence permit in the Czech Republic by investing in its economy. The minimum investment in this case must be at least 75 million Czech crowns (about 3 million euros) - 60% of the amount in the form of assets.
Another option is to create 20 jobs that must be active until the end of the expiration of the investment visa.
In addition, the investor must provide a number of securities, including:
- investor title deed;
- confirmation of the legal origin of funds that are invested in the economy;
- a business plan, which should include a brief history of the company, the reasons for investing in this sector of the economy and the benefits that it will bring to the Czech Republic, a description of the specific stages, assets and employees involved, the size of the salary, technological processes, target client groups, the final result, etc. also indicate the perceived problems and risks, as well as possible competitors in the Czech Republic.
In the late 1990s. emigration from Russia to the Czech Republic was typical mainly for entrepreneurs and businessmen. Today, business emigration to this country has somewhat lost its popularity due to the requirement of local authorities to create a real business, have a stable income and pay taxes on it.
Studying at universities in the Czech Republic as a way of immigration
One of the most affordable and reliable ways to travel to the Czech Republic and obtain a residence permit there in 2021 is to enroll in one of the accredited Czech universities. However, it is advisable first to complete a six-month or one-year Czech language course in the Czech Republic.
Knowledge of the language will allow you to enter the budgetary form of education at one of the state universities and simplify the learning process itself.
Bachelor's, master's and doctoral programs are available for Russian citizens.
However, this method of immigration has its pros and cons. Benefits include:
- a simple procedure for obtaining a residence permit;
- acquisition of a specialty and a convertible Czech diploma;
- obtaining the right to work without a special permit and an employment card (non-dual).
Of the minuses, you need to mention:
- age. Despite the fact that age restrictions for studying in Czech universities are not spelled out in the legislation, when applying for a student visa by persons over 26 years old, difficulties may arise with the issuance of an entry permit;
- an unsuccessfully passed session or the presence of academic debt will lead to the cancellation of a residence permit;
- the period of study at the university is counted in the length of the residence permit only half, and in order to obtain permanent residence it is necessary to live in the country not for 5, but for 10 years.
Immigration to the Czech Republic through marriage
If the plans of the spouses are related to their further cohabitation in the Czech Republic, then in order to get married, you should go to Prague or any other Czech city.
In the Czech Republic, both civil and religious marriage between Czech citizens and foreigners is recognized. However, the automatic provision of permanent residence, and even more so citizenship, marriage will not bring.
But it can simplify the procedure for obtaining permanent residence after two years of living together, and after another three years of family life - Czech citizenship.
You can apply at any registry office - Matriční úřad - or contact a registered religious organization. The spouses must fill out the “Marriage Form” and provide two witnesses, and if they do not know the Czech language, an interpreter.
A citizen of the Czech Republic needs to confirm his identity, and a foreign partner needs to apply for a short-term visa to marry in the Czech Republic. After registering a marriage, you must apply for family reunification. In the Czech Republic, it is possible to register same-sex marriages between Czech and foreign citizens.
Emergency option: refugee in the Czech Republic
As a member of the EU, the Czech Republic has committed itself to cooperating with other members of the community to provide international protection and asylum to persons in need (art. 44 of the Charter of Fundamental Rights and Freedoms). At the same time, the migration situation that has developed in Europe over the past 5-6 years has prompted the Czech government to take measures to rigorously check information through governmental and non-governmental, internal and external resources for its compliance with reality.
According to statistics, out of every 10 refugees who applied for political asylum in the Czech Republic, 9 were refused. This does not mean that it is useless to follow such a path. It's just that the reasons that induce such a step must be compelling: not need or economic troubles, but a real threat to life and health, which cannot be eliminated in any other way. Otherwise, such people will return to their homeland.
The main stages of immigration
Regardless of which method is chosen for immigration, there is a certain algorithm of actions that should be followed. The immigration process takes a long time - from eight to ten years - and requires serious efforts on the part of the immigrant. For successful completion, you must go through several mandatory stages, which you should get to know better.
First stage: obtaining a visa
Entry to the territory of the Czech Republic for citizens of the Russian Federation is possible only with a Schengen visa:
- short-term visa C for subsequent immigration can be used in case of a trip to the Czech Republic for the purpose of marriage, real estate purchase, company registration, etc.;
- long-term visa D with the right of extension, which makes it possible to stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days in half a year, is issued on the basis of study, work card, family reunification, business, etc.
From 29.11. 2021 to obtain a long-term visa or permission for a long-term stay in the country, you must register at the Czech Embassy ([email protected]). When registering, you need to indicate passport information, contact information and confirm the purpose of stay in the country. A message about the date of application will be sent to the applicant's address.
The processing time for long-term visas may differ depending on the purpose: for study, scientific activity - within 60 days, for family reunification, business - from 90 to 120 days.
Second stage: residence permit and permanent residence
After receiving a long-term visa, an immigrant can stay in the Czech Republic in accordance with the stated purpose. Within a period of 120 days before the last day of the expiration of the legitimacy of the visa, an application for its extension should be submitted.
In case of successful extension of stay in the Czech Republic, the immigrant receives the status of a residence permit holder - he is issued a plastic card with biometric data for a period of two years with the right to renew.
After five years of residence in the Czech Republic in the status of a residence permit and compliance with the necessary conditions (for example, not to leave the country for more than 10 months, to pass an exam on knowledge of the Czech language, not to violate the laws, etc.), the immigrant gets the right to apply for permanent residence.
In some cases, the required residence period may differ - for example, 2 years for a spouse of a Czech citizen, 2.5 years for a Blue Card holder, 10 years for a student visa holder. The new status gives immigrants almost all the rights that Czech citizens have.
The final stage: obtaining Czech citizenship
After five years of residence in a country with permanent residence status (for spouses of Czech citizens - three), you can apply for obtaining citizenship of the Czech Republic. Acquisition of new citizenship for many Russians for a long time was an optional procedure that could be easily dispensed with - they already enjoyed all the benefits and advantages on an equal basis with Czech citizens (free education and medicine for children, equal salaries with Czechs, pensions, social benefits, etc. .), but I didn't want to lose my Russian passport.
The situation changed after the entry into force from 01.01. 2021 of the new version of the Czech Citizenship Law of the Czech Republic (Zákon č. 186/2013 Coll.). In accordance with it, for the entry into Czech citizenship, it is not required to renounce the previous one. In other words, this law allows for dual citizenship.
In any case, the procedure for acquiring a Czech indigenate has been simplified:
- on the one hand, you should provide a package of required papers: a legitimate passport, birth certificate, confirmation of legal and permanent stay in the country, etc.;
- on the other hand, you need to be a good citizen: pay taxes, have no problems with the law.
Finally
Immigration to the Czech Republic is becoming more and more attractive for citizens of the Russian Federation. Every year the migration policy of the Czech Republic is improving, while protecting the interests of both the Czech side and Russian citizens wishing to legally become residents of the country.
Today, there are several legal ways to immigrate, each of which has its own pros and cons:
| Immigration methods | Advantages | disadvantages |
|---|---|---|
| Family reunification | Ideal if you have close relatives - residents of the Czech Republic, requires a minimum of documents | It is necessary to prove the availability of funds for the maintenance of all family members, the provision of housing. If the head of the family is deprived of a residence permit / permanent residence, other family members also lose this status. |
| Employment | At the same time he combines a work permit and residence permit. Competition in the Czech Republic is lower than in Germany and other EU countries | Long process of employment. It is difficult to get a good job without knowledge of the Czech language |
| Investment | The possibility of obtaining permanent residence for investment | Overstated investment amount - CZK 75 million |
| Entrepreneurship | Favorable conditions for doing business | Payment of taxes regardless of the availability of income. Difficulties in obtaining a residence permit - the business must be real and generate income. |
| Education | Obtaining a Czech diploma, the opportunity to study for free | 50% of the time spent in the Czech Republic on a student visa does not count. It is easy to lose your residence permit due to academic debt. The need for knowledge of the Czech language |
| Marriage | Reduction of the required period of residence for obtaining permanent residence, simplification of the procedure | The presence of checks by the state for the formalities of marriage. Criminal prosecution for the conclusion of a fictitious union. |
