PERMITS AND VISAS IN THE CZECH REPUBLIC

The Czech Republic once had the reputation of being one of the most lenient countries in Europe with respect to both American travelers and prospective expatriates. In fact, it used to be that because of the lack of enforcement by the Czech government, many Americans who lived and worked in the Czech Republic never bothered to register with the local authorities for a residency permit or apply for a work permit. Though this was never the recommended approach, there was plenty of evidence to suggest that it was easy to get away with. Even today, Prague is rumored to be home to roughly 20,000 Americans, of whom fewer than 2,000 have actually documented their status with the authorities.

In recent years, however, that leniency has changed. In 1994 the Czech police conducted a number of "sweeps" through the busiest squares of Prague and arrested up to 200 foreigners who could not produce appropriate papers. Although it's a hassle, keep in mind that work permits (often difficult to come by because of bureaucratic red tape) are generally made available to those who persist. On the other hand, it is still true that visas are not required for Americans to enter the country.

The laws and regulations that govern the issuance of work permits and residency permits change constantly. Depending on who is in charge at any given time and place, these permits may take weeks or months to get. The official word from the Czech labor department is:

"Work permits to employ foreigners are issued on the basis of the situation in the labor market and with regard to the prognosis of developments in the labor market."

In other words, if a specific position can be filled easily by a Czech then the government will not issue a work permit to the foreign national seeking that position. For prospective English teachers, this usually does not pose obstacles. There are enough English teaching jobs available and relatively few Czechs capable of filling those positions at the same level as a native speaker.

Having a work permit does entitle you to free medical care and gives you the privilege of paying Czech prices. It also puts you in the position of having to pay taxes. According to one woman who was teaching in a small town in western Bohemia, all of this is "worth it beyond a few months' stay." The formal requirements include a police background check, a physical exam (possibly including an AIDS test), and a contract to work full-time. It takes roughly two months for your papers to clear all the bureaucratic hurdles, desk to desk, office to office. Once the process is initiated through your employer, it's usually no problem to begin working. For the latest information, make sure to contact the Czech embassy.

CZECH EMBASSIES

United States

Embassy of the Czech Republic
3900 Spring of Freedom Street NW
Washington, DC 20008
Phone: (202) 363-6315

Canada

Embassy of the Czech Republic
541 Sussex Drive
Ottawa, ON K1N 6Z6
Canada
Phone: (613) 562-3875

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