What is it?
The Blue Card is a special permit that lets highly skilled people live and work in the Czech Republic for more than 3 months.
Applying for a Blue Card
To get a Blue Card, you need to have high qualifications. But what does that really mean?
It means you should have at least a higher vocational or university education that took at least 3 years to complete and the day-to-day tasks of the job must require your specific skills. Just having a degree doesn’t mean you can get any job and get a Blue Card.
The job also needs to pay a good salary. It has to be at least 1.5 times the average gross monthly wage in the Czech Republic.
You’ll also need an employment contract (or a promise of one) for at least 6 months.
Don’t have a degree but have the right skills? If you work in IT, you might still be able to get a Blue Card for some jobs. You’ll need to show you have a lot of expertise, maybe by showing your past IT experience or certificates from training courses.
You can apply for a Blue Card from your home country or, in some cases, while you’re already in the Czech Republic. You can apply at the Czech embassy or consulate in your home country, or in a country where you’ve had a residence permit for at least 2 years. You can even apply in any country if you are exempt from the local jurisdiction of the embassy or consulate.
If you’re already in the Czech Republic, you can usually apply if you have a visa for a stay longer than 90 days, or a long-term residence permit for another reason. You can also apply if you have a European Blue Card, or if you have asylum or subsidiary protection. If you have a long-term visa for seasonal work, you can apply too.
What You Need to Apply
To apply for a Blue Card, you’ll need a filled-out application form, pay the application fee (check with the embassy or consulate for the exact amount and how to pay), your passport and confirmation of accommodation in the Czech Republic. You will also need to submit a passport photo (45 x 35 mm) and a criminal record check from your home country and any country where you’ve lived for more than 6 months in the last 3 years.
You will also need to submit proof of your high qualifications or skills, like your education or, if you work in IT, your work or other experience.
Job contract (or promise of one) with a company that has registered the job with the Labor Office, for at least 6 months, and with a salary that’s at least 1.5 times the average gross monthly wage will also be needed.
How Long It Takes
It usually takes 90 days to process a Blue Card application, or 30 days if you already have a European Blue Card. Once approved, you’ll likely need to get an entry visa, come to the Czech Republic, and do a biometrics appointment.
The Blue Card is valid for 3 months longer than your job contract, up to a maximum of 3 years.
Changing Jobs
If you change jobs while on a Blue Card, you need to let the authorities know within 3 days of starting your new job.
The new job must still meet the Blue Card requirements, like needing high qualifications or skills and paying at least 1.5 times the average gross monthly wage. Your new contract must also be for at least 6 months.
Leaving Your Job
If you leave your job, you must tell the Ministry within 3 days.
Also, if you’ve had your Blue Card for less than 2 years, you can only be unemployed for less than 3 months. If you’ve had it for more than 2 years, you can only be unemployed for up to 6 months, with some exceptions.
Access to the Job Market
Even if you have free access to the labor market, you still need to register any open job position with the Labor Office. Registering the job opening usually only takes a few days, but it is an extra administrative step.
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