The revised Visa Code enters into force on February 2, 2020. Some revisions, which concern procedure for submission of Schengen visa applications, are summarized below. They will also be updated in individual articles.

• minor changes are made to the Schengen visa application form

• visa fee has been increased to 80 euros, however, fee for children aged 6 – 12 will be only 40 euros

• application should be filed no later than 15 days before the trip; should the applicant wish to submit it later, the consulate can refuse it

• Schengen visa applications can be submitted only through visa centers in those countries, where the consulate uses its services

• review period remains 15 days, however, it can newly be extended only once to 45 days (as opposed to 30 or 60 days)

• new conditions for issuance of multiple entry visas will be applied

• facilitations for family members of EU citizens are newly defined

The issuance of short-stay Schengen visas is governed by 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). The issuance of long-stay visas is governed by Act No 326/1999 concerning the residence of aliens in the territory of the Czech Republic and amending certain acts as amended

Decisions on applications for Schengen visas fall within the competence of the diplomatic missions and consular posts of the Czech Republic. This means that the diplomatic missions and consular posts decide on the issuance or refusal of such visas on their own authority. Decisions on long-stay visas (visas for a stay longer than 90 days) fall within the competence of the Alien Police of the Czech Republic. A refusal to issue a visa is final and without appeal.

An applicant who has been refused a visa will receive from the diplomatic mission or consular post a notice in writing stating the reasons for the refusal. The reasons for refusing a short-stay visa application are listed in the Visa Code; the reasons for refusing a long-stay visa application are listed in Section 56 of Act No 326/1999. Refused applicants may reapply at any time and attach the required documents. They may do so immediately after their previous application has been refused.

The applicant´s personal data contained in the visa application are made available solely to the competent authorities of the Czech Republic and serve for deciding on visa issuance or refusal, as required in Act No 101/2000 concerning the protection of personal data and  amending certain acts as amended.

Applicants have the right of access to the personal data relating to them that are processed for this purpose, including the right to rectification of such personal data. In case such personal data are inaccurate with regard to the purpose for which they are processed, the applicant may request an explanation or rectification. If the request is found to be justified, the competent diplomatic mission or consular post will rectify the data without delay. In case the competent diplomatic mission or consular post fails to comply with the request, the applicant may contact directly the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Czech Republic. Additional information is available on request from staff of the visa section of the competent diplomatic mission or consular post.

Contact details of the Office for Personal Data Protection of the Czech Republic                                                                              

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  Poster (PDF, 152 KB)