Scientific Permit
The Scientific Visa Package facilitates the procedure
of admitting researchers coming from non-European
countries (third-country nationals) to Europe
for the purpose of scientific research. Legally,
the Scientific Visa Package consists
of an EU Directive 2005/71/EC and two
recommendations 2005/762/EC and 2005/761/EC.
The EU directive was transposed into the Czech
Foreigner’s law (Act n. 379 from the 5th of December 2007)
in December 2007. Since this date, the long term permit
for the purpose of scientific research (Scientific Permit)
is in place and can be applied for.
The Scientific Permit is available for researchers in public and private
organisations. Students are not eligible. A researcher for this purpose
is defined as: a third-country national holding an appropriate higher
education qualification which gives access to doctoral programmes,
and who is selected by a research organisation for carrying out a research project for which the above qualification is normally required.
What are the advantages of the Scientific Permit?
- possibility to apply for a long-term residence permit directly from the country of origin
- shorter processing period (60 instead of 90 days)
- work permit is not required
- family members can also apply for a long-term residence permit from their country of origin (if applying together with the researcher, the processing time should be the same)
What is needed to apply for the Scientific Permit?
- Hosting Agreement (the Hosting Agreement is an agreement issued by a public or private approved research organisation in the Member State, to undertake a research project. The research organisation can only sign a hosting agreement with a researcher if there are funds available for the research and they are satisfied with the researcher's scientific skills.)
- written confirmation by the host organisation (financial obligation)
- travel health insurance until the day of the collection of the Scientific permit
- criminal record from the country of origin
- medical statement if required
- travel document (passport)
- 2 pictures
- filled in GREEN application form
Extension of the Scientific Permit (visa, long-term permit) for third country nationals
Documents needed:
- Hosting agreement (original)
- Written confirmation of the hosting organization (original)
- Passport
- Filled in application form (green)
- Medical report if required
- 2.500CZK (two thousand and five hundred czech crowns) - from 1st of May 2011 biometric data into the residents cards for third country nationals have been introduced - more information can be found here
Application form – third country nationals
(has to be printed on a colour printer)
For researchers staying in Prague: When collecting all these documents, please come to the office of the EURAXESS Services Center where we will check them and further assist you with the application.
Change of temporary address in the Czech Republic (obligation to notify the Ministry of Interior (MI) within 30 days from the date of the address change)
Documents needed:
Form for the address change (available at the MI or at the EURAXESS Services Center - ESC)
Original of the new contract or confirmation of accommodation (the form available at the ESC). In case of the confirmation, the signature of the landlord has to be certified by a notary.
Travel document (passport)
Registration at the Alien Police Department (APD) – for non-EU nationals staying in the Czech Republic on the basis of long term visa for the purpose of scientific research more than 90 days (obligation to register within three days from the date of arrival to the CR)
Documents needed:
Registration form (available at the APD or ESC)
Travel health insurance
Travel document (passport)
Registration at the Ministry of Interior – for non-EU nationals staying in the Czech Republic on the basis of long term permit for the purpose of scientific research more than 90 days (obligation to register within three days from the date of arrival to the CR)
Documents needed:
- Travel document (passport)
