CZECH REPUBLIC Issuing Authorities The Embassy of the Czech Republic 936 Pretorius St, Arcadia, Pretoria 0001 P O Box 13671, Hatfield, 0028 Tel: (012) 431 2380 Fax: (012) 431 2398 E-mail: consular_pretoria@mzv.cz / pretoria@embassy.mzv.cz Website: www.mzv.cz/pretoria Visa Section O/hrs: Mon - Thur 09h00-12h00 The Embassy is not open to the public on Fridays. ALL APPLICANTS ARE TO APPLY IN PERSON FROM THE AGE OF 12 YEARS AS FINGERPRINTS ARE REQUIRED. VISAS ARE TO BE APPLIED FOR THROUGH THE VFS VISA APPLICATION CENTRES. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 1 of 10
Visa Requirements Visas are required by SA passport holders. Visas must be obtained prior to arrival in the Czech Republic. No visas will be issued at the airport or at the borders. The supporting documents for travelling to the Czech Republic must be submitted in English. VISA REQUIREMENTS: ALL DOCUMENTS ARE TO BE PRODUCED IN ORIGINAL. ONLY APPLICATIONS WITH THE COMPLETE FILE OF FOLLOWING SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS WILL BE ACCEPTED : Please note that every person must submit all required forms individually. eg a group cannot share one invitation letter, each individual must have one. Before applying please make sure you fulfill all the following requirements: 1. Clearly & completely filled in and signed original Schengen Application Form (Downloaded from www.mzv.cz/visaform- visa guide or collect it from the Embassy) 2. R.S.A passport (plus photocopy of relevant pages), which must be valid for a period of at least 6 months beyond the applicant s last day of stay in the Schengen state. Please ensure that the passport has two blank pages next to each other to affix visa. NO TEMPORARY PASSPORTS ARE ACCEPTED. 3. One recent passport sized photograph (colour) (3.5X4.5) TO BE GLUED ONTO THE FORM - not stapled 4. Round trip air-ticket and itinerary with dates and flight numbers specifying entry and exit from Schengen state. If more than one entry is required, a reason must be provided. Please provide a copy of the e-ticket and itinerary as well. 5. The visa of the final country of destination (if needed) must be obtained before applying for a Schengen visa. 6. Proof of sufficient funds - recent bank statements showing movements over the last 3 months. 7. Official invitation from the person to be visited, if applicable, certified by the Alien Police Inspectorate in the Czech Republic. It is required when a physical or a legal person invites the applicant to the Czech Republic and provides accommodation, financial support or other from the requirement list. 8. Travel/health/accident insurance for the entire duration of stay in Schengen territory - A letter from the insurance company covering medical expenses, including emergency hospital treatment and repatriation (transportation) to the home country / country of residence, stating the name of the person, the policy number, the period of cover and the medical coverage equivalent to EURO 30000. List of insurancecompanies which meet the criteria of Art15 of the Visa Code "Travel Medical Insurance". http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 2 of 10
9. Accommodation: Confirmed hotel reservation (on Hotel Letterhead) is requested (hotel vouchers are not necessarily proof of confirmed hotel booking). If applicant is staying with a relative or friend, a letter from the host with copy of passport or ID. 10. For business: An official business letter from a company in a Schengen state and from employer stating purpose of visit must be presented. E-mails may be taken into consideration as long as it is clear that the invitation has originated from a company in the Schengen State. Official invitation certified by the Foreign Police maybe requested at any time. 11. Certified parental consent, by both parents for children under 18 travelling alone. If the child travels with only one parent, the other parent must poduce the notarized/certified consent. For pupils and students, an original letter from a school, a college or a university is required. 12. Delays and procedure: It is the responsiblity of the applicant to be aware of delays and requirements for the issuance of visas, before making travel arrangments and applying for a visa. Additional documents may be requested. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 3 of 10
Visa Processing Time 15 days. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 4 of 10
Visa Cost Short term visa fee: For current rate please visit www.vfsglobal.com Visas are to be applied for through the Visa Application Centre, VFS in Pretoria, Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban: VFS Pretoria: 1st Floor Cherry Lane Office Park 114 Fehrsen Street, Nieuw Muckleneuk Brooklyn, Pretoria VFS Cape Town: 47 Strand Street, Office 502, 5th Floor Cape Town 8001 VFS Johannesburg: 1st Floor, Rivonia Village Cnr Rivonia Boulevard & Mutual Road Sandton, JNB VFS Durban Unit 101A, 1st Floor, 91-123 Cowey Road Essenwood, Durban Call Centre Tel: (012) 425 3009 To make an appointment for submission of application at VFS, go to www.vfsglobal.com/czechrepublic/southafrica E-mail: info.nlza@vfshelpline.com The following are exempt from visa fee: Spouses of EU/EEA citizens and their children, under 21, must submit the following with to prove relationaship with EU/EEA spouse/parent: -EU/EEA passport: original or certified -Marriage certificate: certified copies or original plus copy -Dependant children under 21 years: full birth certificate or a certified copy. Children under 6 years old. School pupil, students, post graduate students and accompanying teachers who undertake trips http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 5 of 10
for the purpose of study or educational training. Researchers travelling with the EU/EEA for the purpose of carrying out scientific research http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 6 of 10
SA Representative SA Embassy: 65 Ruska St., Vrsovice, 100 00, Prague 10. Tel: 00420 26731 1114 E-mail: prague.consular@dirco.gov.za Web: www.saprague.cz/ http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 7 of 10
Travel Health Compulsory: Recommended Travel Vaccines: None Hepatitis B, Tetanus, Polio A historic jewel in the heart of Europe, the Czech Republic has a lot to offer for such a small country. No bigger than Scotland or South Carolina, it's crammed with fairytale castles, medieval towns, elegant spa resorts and scenic national parks. And to further enhance its appeal, it's the birthplace of the world's finest beer. Join the locals and get a different perspective on Prague by taking a cruise along the Vltava River, either downstream to Prague Zoo, or upstream to the Slapy Dam. Indulge yourself with a spa treatment among the hot springs and mineral baths of West Bohemia's famous spa resorts - opulent Karlovy Vary which once attracted the crowned heads of Europe, Marianské Láznì and Františkovy Láznì. There is hiking and rock climbing amid the spectacular scenery of the Adršpach- Teplice Rocks, whose bizarre landscape bristles with sandstone pinnacles, contorted canyons and wildlife-filled forests. Enjoy the slopes at the Czech Republic's good-value ski resorts - try Spindleruv Mlyn for downhill skiing, Zacler for snowboarding (both in Krkonoše), and Zadov (in Šumava) for cross-country. Capital: Currency: Language: Prague (PRG) Koruna (CZK) Czech. English and German are widely spoken. Dialling code from SA: + 420 Time Zones: Daylight Savings Time: Public Holidays 2018: UTC / GMT +1 (1 hour behind South Africa) From last Sunday March to last Sunday October: UTC / GMT +2 (same time as South Africa) Jan 1; Mar 30; Apr 2; May 1, 8; Jul 5, 6; Sep 28; Oct 28; Nov 17; Dec 24, 25, 26 Side of the Road: Right http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 8 of 10
Best Time to Go: Best for: Plugs: Drinking Water: Health: Customs: Local Offences / Laws: Duty Free: May June & September UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Hot springs & Mineral Baths, Archaeological & Religious Sites, Historical Sites Generally 220 volts AC, 50Hz. Most major hotels have standard international two-pin razor plugs. Mains water in hotels and towns is safe to drink. There are adequate and well-equipped medical facilities, however visitors are required to pay for these services. Comprehensive health insurance is recommended. It is considered polite to say dobrý den (good day) when you meet someone, and na shledanou (goodbye) when you leave. Drunken behaviour and drinking in public is punishable by law. The Czech Republic is within the European Union. If you are travelling from the UK, you are entitled to buy fragrance, skincare, cosmetics, Champagne, wine, selected spirits, fashion accessories, gifts and souvenirs - all at tax-free equivalent prices. If you are arriving from a non-eu country, the following goods may be imported into Czech Republic by travellers over 17 years of age without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 50 cigars or 250g of tobacco 1L of spirits over 22% volume or 2L of alcoholic beverages up to 22% volume 4L of wine 16L of beer Other goods up to the value of 430 for air travellers and 300 for other travellers (reduced to 200 for children under 15). Prohibited Imports: Explosives are prohibited. Firearms and ammunition are only permitted with a licence. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 9 of 10
Prohibited Exports: Prohibited or restricted exports include veterinary goods, items of cultural value, weapons, ammunition, explosives and narcotics. http://www.thegsa.co.za/visa-and-country-info/2692-czech-republic-country-guide&print=1 Page 10 of 10