What Is a Family Reunification Visa in the Czech Republic?
People often say “family reunification visa” as a shorthand for any legal way to join a spouse/partner/child (or other close relative) already living in Czechia. In reality, Czech immigration law offers different routes depending on who the “sponsor” is (EU/Czech citizen vs. non-EU resident) and how long you plan to stay.
In our daily practice (Move To Prague has been helping families relocate since 2012), most confusion comes from mixing up:
- EU and non EU family members,
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a long-term visa (D) with family purpose of stay and a long-term residence permit / residence card with family reunification purpose of stay.
This guide explains the options in plain English and helps you choose the right path.
The 3 “Family Reunification” Routes You’ll See in Czechia
1) Family member of a Czech / EU citizen (most common for mixed-nationality couples)
If your sponsor is an EU citizen (including a Czech citizen in certain situations), the typical solution is not a “family reunification visa” but a Temporary Residence Permit (TRP) for a family member of and EU Citizen.
This type of residence permit comes in two forms:
1. TRP for CLOSE Family Members – this generally means married couples or for example non-EU children of EU parents or vice versa. We describe the process in details in this article: Temporary Residence Permit for Close (Immediate) Family Members of EU Citizens.
2. TRP for DISTANT family members – this option is often referred to as the “Partnership Visa” and is primarily meant for non-EU citizens dating (officially “in long-term serious relationship”) an EU citizen. Check if you qualify here: Partnership Visa – 2025 Updates.
ADVANTAGES: family members under this route generally apply inside of the Czech Republic (not through an Embassy), they can stay during the whole processing (and get a Bridge Visa) and they also have free access to the labour market, including while the application is pending (rules apply).
2) Family member of a non-EU resident living in Czechia (Employee Card, Blue Card, permanent residence, etc.) – no limitation
Czech Republic offers a long-term visa for the purpose of family which allows close family members (spouses, children and in very very limited way also parents) to join the main applicant or a visa/residence permit holder.
And here is where the main confusion happens for most people – there is not time limit or “waiting period” during which your family members can not join you in the Czech Republic. Quite contrary – in most cases, you can all apply at the same time! For example the main applicant applies for an employee card and their spouse and two children apply for the family visa at the same Embassy on the same date.
The “waiting period” only applies to some cases of the family reunification Residence Permit application (see Point 3) below), not to visa applications!
Read more (required documents, processes, rights and limitations) about the Family Visa in this article.
3) Family member of a non-EU resident living in Czechia (Employee Card, Blue Card, permanent residence, etc.) – time limitation
The second option Czech Republic offers for close family members of non-EU citizens is the Long-Term Residence Permit with family reunification purpose of stay. And, as mentioned above, waiting times may apply here. Below are the typical waiting times for family members to submit their family reunification residence permit applications:
- if the main applicant is a Blue Card holder – in this case, there is no waiting time, the only limitation is that you should apply only once the main applicant is approved,
- if the main applicant is an Employee Card holder – in this case, the waiting time is 6 months, you can still apply for option 2) though – the long-term visa with family purpose of stay,
- if the main applicant has any other visa or residence permit type (student, business, cultural etc.) – in most cases the waiting period is 15 months, but you can still apply for option 2) – the long-term visa with family purpose of stay.
We go deeper into this topic (required documents, processes, rights and limitations) in this article: Family Reunification – Long-Term Residence Permit and we also explain the difference between the long-term visa and long-term residence permit in this article: How to Bring a Non-EU Family Member to the Czech Republic.
Special cases of family reunification in the Czech Republic
When consulting with people (contact us for a free 15 min consultation or a 60 min deep-diving one), we also face situations where the above rules and options no not apply. This is mainly the case for:
- unmarried non-EU couples – unfortunately, if both of you are non-EU nationals, you must be married to apply for the Family Visa or the Family Reunification Residence Permit. If you are not married, you can potentially still try to apply for the “Other Visa” but your chances there are about 50/50. The “partnership visa” only applies to couples where one of you is an EU citizen.
- long-term residence permit with family purpose of stay – this is an option in between the family visa and family reunification residence permit. It has the advantage that there is not time limitation, on the other hand, it does not allow you to work. Most of you will never have this type.
Step-by-Step: How the Process Works (Typical Timeline)
Step 1: Choose the correct route
This sounds obvious, but it’s the #1 reason people get refused or delayed: applying for a visa/residence type that doesn’t match the sponsor’s status.
Step 2: Prepare the core documents
Exact lists vary by route and embassy, but most cases involve:
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proof of relationship (marriage certificate / birth certificate / evidence of partnership)
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passport + photos
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proof of accommodation in Czechia
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health insurance arrangement (important details below)
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in some cases: criminal record extract and/or proof of sufficient funds
If you want, we can tell you the exact document set for your case and which documents must be apostilled/superlegalized and officially translated (this is where a lot of applications quietly fail).
CTA: If you want us to screen your documents before submission (what’s missing, what must be legalized, what wording is risky), contact Move To Prague.
Step 3: Submit the application (abroad or in Czechia)
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First-time applications are commonly submitted at a Czech embassy/consulate abroad (depending on the route).
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Some applications can be submitted at the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) in Czechia (again, route-dependent).
Step 4: Waiting period (processing)
Processing times depend on the route and the embassy workload.
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Some consulates publish indicative processing windows (example: 90–120 days for certain family reunification long-term visas).
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For long-term residence permits for family reunification, published maximum decision time can be much longer (up to 270 days is commonly referenced by Czech authorities).
Step 5: After arrival: registration + biometrics
Many newcomers miss this and create unnecessary problems.
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Foreign Police registration rules differ depending on whether the EU citizen is already residing in Czechia, but deadlines can be as short as 3 days in certain scenarios.
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If you’re receiving a residence card/permit, you’ll also need biometrics for the card issuance.
CTA: If you want a “first 14 days in Czechia” checklist (registration, MOI appointments, insurance proof, card pick-up), we do this routinely—message us and we’ll map it to your exact route.
Health Insurance: A Common Hidden Trap (Especially for Kids)
Health insurance rules vary depending on status. One important update: since January 1, 2024, minors under 18 with valid long-term residence permits in Czechia generally became part of the public health insurance system (with conditions).
Insurance is a frequent refusal/delay reason—especially when families assume travel insurance is enough (it often isn’t).
Common Mistakes We See (and How to Avoid Them)
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Applying under the wrong regime (EU-family vs non-EU family reunification).
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Weak relationship evidence (especially partners, blended families, or recent marriages).
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Incorrect legalization/translation of foreign documents.
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Accommodation proof problems (wrong form, wrong signatures, mismatch with address registration).
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Missing post-arrival obligations (Foreign Police registration deadlines, MOI biometrics).
FAQ (SEO-focused)
Is “family reunification visa” a real Czech visa type?
Sometimes yes, sometimes no. People use the phrase broadly. In practice it can mean a long-term visa for family purposes or a residence permit/residence card under family reunification rules—depending on the sponsor.
Can I work in Czechia on a family reunification visa?
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On a long-term visa for family purposes, you typically need a work permit to work legally.
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On a long-term residence permit for family reunification, you generally have free access to the labour market.
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Under the EU-family route, family members also have broad work access, including during processing (conditions apply).
How long does it take?
It depends on route and consulate/MOI workload. Indicative consulate timelines (e.g., 90–120 days) exist for some visa cases, while some family reunification residence permits can take significantly longer under published maximum deadlines.
How Move To Prague Can Help
Family cases look simple on paper, but the details decide whether you get a smooth approval or months of delays. In our experience since 2012, the biggest value is:
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choosing the correct route the first time,
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preparing a “decision-ready” document package,
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handling post-arrival steps so nothing is missed.
If you share (1) sponsor nationality + residence type in Czechia, (2) your relationship type, and (3) where you’ll apply from, we can outline the best route and the exact document checklist and timeline for your case.
Recommended other reads
Working under Family Reunification in the Czech Republic
Can you Bring your Family under Student Visa in the Czech Republic?
