What documents do I need to move to Czech Republic as a Russia citizen?

Typical pathway: Long Term Residence

Last verified: August 5, 2026

Biometric passport of the Russian Federation (before) — Source: https://mzv.gov.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/index.html
Valid Russian biometric (chip) travel document — since 3 July 2024 Czechia recognises ONLY biometric passports issued by the Russian Federation; non-biometric Russian passports are not accepted for visa/residence permit applications. Must be issued within the last 10 years, contain at least 2 blank pages and be valid at least 3 months beyond the requested permit validity.
Completed long-term residence permit application form (Žádost o povolení k dlouhodobému pobytu) (before) — Source: https://mzv.gov.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/visa_form/index.html
Official bilingual Czech/English MFA form, one form per applicant, filled in legible Latin capitals and signed. First-time applications must be lodged in person at a Czech diplomatic mission competent for Russian citizens (territorial consular competence applies; Russians must generally apply at the mission in the state of citizenship or of long-term residence of 2+ years).
Biometric-standard photographs of the applicant (3.5 x 4.5 cm) (before) — Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic (mzv.gov.cz)
Printed passport-style photographs on light background, no head covering except for religious reasons, matching current appearance. Consulates commonly request 2–3 prints — verify the exact number with the specific Czech embassy/consulate handling your file.
Document proving the purpose of stay (before) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/long-term-residence-general-information/
Original document matching the exact purpose of the long-term residence permit applied for (e.g. employment contract / employee card job offer, confirmation of enrolment at an accredited Czech university, family reunification documents, business registration, scientific research hosting agreement). A long-term residence permit is always issued for one specific purpose and that purpose must continue to exist.
Proof of secured accommodation in the Czech Republic (before) — Source: https://mv.gov.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-long-term-residence.aspx
Lease agreement, accommodation confirmation from the property owner with notarised signature, or dormitory confirmation, covering the requested residence period at a specific Czech address.
Proof of sufficient financial means (before) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/long-term-residence-general-information/
Bank statements, Czech bank account confirmation, salary/scholarship confirmation or an internationally usable payment card together with an account balance statement. For study purposes the indicative annual amount is roughly CZK 125,000; thresholds differ by purpose — confirm the current figure for your purpose with the Ministry of the Interior.
Russian criminal record extract (справка о наличии/отсутствии судимости) with Apostille (before) — Source: https://mv.gov.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-long-term-residence.aspx
Certificate of no criminal record issued by the Russian MVD. As a foreign public document it must carry higher verification — Russia is an Apostille Convention party, so an Apostille is required. Must not be older than 180 days at submission.
Criminal record certificate(s) from other countries of residence in the last 3 years (before) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/long-term-residence-general-information/
Equivalent document from any state where you resided continuously for more than 6 months during the past 3 years (relevant for Russian nationals who relocated via third countries such as Armenia, Kazakhstan, Serbia, Turkey or UAE), also apostilled/superlegalised.
Certified Czech translations of all Russian-language documents (before) — Source: https://mv.gov.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-long-term-residence.aspx
Every Russian-issued document (criminal record extract, birth/marriage certificate, diplomas, employer letters) must be submitted with a translation into Czech; translations should be made by a court-appointed (soudní) translator. Translation of a document does not remove the separate Apostille requirement.
Written justification for the application under Czech restrictive measures against Russian nationals (before) — Source: https://mzv.gov.cz/jnp/en/information_for_aliens/index.html
Because Czechia applies restrictive visa measures in response to the aggression against Ukraine and, with limited exceptions, does not issue visas or residence permits to Russian nationals located outside the Czech Republic, Russian applicants should be prepared to document that they fall within an exemption (e.g. family reunification with a Czech resident, humanitarian grounds, or an application filed from within Czechia as a current permit holder). Not a standard statutory form — verify eligibility with the competent Czech embassy or the Ministry of the Interior before paying fees.
Proof of paid administrative/consular fee (before) — Source: https://portal.gov.cz/en/sluzby-vs/application-for-a-longterm-residence-permit-S6160
Receipt for the application fee. Applications filed inside the Czech Republic cost CZK 2,500 (CZK 1,000 for persons under 15) and can only be paid by card at a Ministry of the Interior office; fees for applications filed at a diplomatic mission differ and must be confirmed with that mission (e.g. CZK 5,000 for a Blue Card).
Czech medical insurance policy for presentation before the visa sticker is issued (before) — Source: https://mzv.gov.cz/nairobi/en/visas_and_consular_information/visas/long_stay_residence_permit/long_stay_residence_permit_application.html
Once the Ministry of the Interior approves the permit, insurance covering the territory of the Czech Republic must be arranged and shown to the embassy before the entry visa is stamped into the passport. The embassy sends the specific policy parameters to each successful applicant.
D/VR entry visa for collection of the residence permit (during) — Source: https://mzv.gov.cz/losangeles/en/visa_information/long_term_residence_permit/index.html
Special long-stay visa sticker affixed in the passport by the Czech embassy after approval; it is not the residence permit itself but the entry document allowing you to travel to Czechia and collect the biometric card.
Registration of arrival at a Ministry of the Interior office (during) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/obligations-for-foreigners/registration-after-arrival/
Holders of a D/VR visa must register at the competent Ministry of the Interior office within 30 calendar days of arrival; at registration the office schedules the biometric appointment and applies for your Czech personal identity (birth) number. If you enter legally by another route, the deadline is 3 days.
Foreign Police residence registration form (during) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/obligations-for-foreigners/obligations-of-third-country-nationals-general-information/
Separate obligation to report your Czech place of residence to the Department of Foreign Police within 3 days of entry; it does not apply if your accommodation provider (hotel, hostel, dormitory) reports you, or if you register your arrival at the Ministry of the Interior when collecting a long-term permit.
Biometric data capture record (facial image and fingerprints) (during) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/administrative-proceedings/biometrics/
Attend the scheduled appointment with your passport to have your facial record and fingerprints scanned for the residence permit card; at this appointment you agree the collection date for the finished card.
Biometric residence permit card (průkaz o povolení k pobytu) (after) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/employee-card/
The actual long-term residence permit document, collected in person at the Ministry of the Interior within 60 days of the biometric data scan; it is the identity document you must present to police on request.
Employer confirmation of commencement of work (employment-based permits only) (after) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/visa-and-residence-permit-types/third-country-nationals/long-term-residence-permits/employee-card/
When collecting a first employee card you must present the employer's confirmation, on the Ministry's form, that you have started work in the position for which the card was issued. Not applicable to study, family or research purposes.
Notifications of changed personal or document data (after) — Source: https://ipc.gov.cz/en/obligations-for-foreigners/obligations-of-third-country-nationals-general-information/
Written report to the Ministry of the Interior within 3 working days of any change of name, surname, marital status, travel document data (including issuance of a new Russian biometric passport) or data in your residence permit. Relevant for Russian citizens who must replace non-biometric passports.
Application for extension of the long-term residence permit (after) — Source: https://mv.gov.cz/mvcren/article/third-country-nationals-long-term-residence.aspx
Must be filed in person at a Ministry of the Interior office no later than the last day of validity of your current permit or long-term visa (normally within the 120-day window before expiry); supporting documents must again be no older than 180 days. Russian nationals with pending extensions have in the past faced travel restrictions and 'bridge visa' limitations — verify current practice with the Ministry of the Interior.
Czech language examination certificate (level A2) for later permanent residence (after) — Source: Ministry of the Interior of the Czech Republic
Needed only when converting long-term residence into permanent residence after the required period of continuous residence; note that since 1 January 2025 Russian citizens may apply for Czech nationality only if they prove renunciation of Russian citizenship. Confirm the current exam level and residence period with the Ministry of the Interior.

Not legal advice. Based on cached research — verify with official sources before making decisions.

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