The Czech Republic Tourist Visa (Schengen short-stay) process for Indian passport holders
Eligibility & Core Requirements
Confirm that Indian citizens must obtain a Schengen short-stay visa to visit the Czech Republic for up to 90 days within any 180-day period; no visa-on-arrival or e-visa exists.
Specify passport criteria: issued within the last 10 years; valid for at least 3 months beyond departure; contains at least two blank visa pages.
Clarify permitted purposes: tourism, leisure, or visiting friends/family only; paid work, business activities, long-term study, settlement, or migration are prohibited.
Describe proof of strong ties to India (stable employment, property ownership, family), clear intent to return, and no record of prior Schengen overstays or immigration violations.
Comprehensive Document Checklist & Required Evidence
Completed, printed, and signed Schengen visa application form downloaded from the official Czech Embassy or visa-center portal (handwritten forms not accepted).
Original passport plus photocopies of biodata pages, previous Schengen visas, and any old passports if applicable.
Two recent passport-size color photographs (35×45 mm, white background, biometric-compliant, taken within the last 6 months).
Detailed cover letter explaining the purpose of the visit, travel dates, day-by-day itinerary, funding source, and assurance of return.
Visa appointment confirmation from the authorized Czech Visa Application Centre (e.g., VFS Global).
Confirmed round-trip flight bookings and proof of accommodation for every night (hotel reservations or host invitation with host’s ID).
Valid Schengen travel/medical insurance with minimum €30,000 coverage for emergencies and repatriation, valid throughout the Schengen area.
Financial proof: recent bank statements (last 3–6 months, first and last three pages, bank-stamped), salary slips, and income tax returns (last 2 years).
Employment proof: leave sanction letter and employment contract; business registration and tax returns for self-employed; pension statements for retirees; student enrollment certificates.
Civil status documents as applicable: marriage certificate, minors’ birth certificates, parental consent letters.
Any additional documents per the latest Czech Embassy or visa-center instructions.
Permitted vs. Prohibited Activities
Permitted: tourism, leisure, visiting friends/family, cultural or social events, and short non-degree courses (< 90 days).
Prohibited: paid employment, business activities, long-term/degree studies, religious residency, settlement intent, or overstaying.
Recent Policy & Process Updates (2025)
Only checklist items are accepted; extraneous or missing documents risk rejection or delays.
Bank statements limited to recent months (first and last three pages).
Enhanced scrutiny of itinerary, accommodation bookings, insurance validity, financial resources, and return intent.
Early application advised 15 to 45 days before travel due to seasonal delays.
Biometric data (fingerprints and photo) required unless exempted (previously collected within 59 months).
Process: online form completion and document uploads, followed by an in-person appointment at a visa center for biometric data and document submission.
Application Submission Workflow
Complete and print the official online application form; schedule an appointment at an authorized Czech Visa Application Centre.
Submit originals and copies per the checklist during the appointment.
Provide biometric data as required.
Track status online; await approval notification.
Collect your passport in person or via courier; verify visa details immediately.
Role & Value of Professional Visa Service Providers (JKVTravel.com)
Pre-screen eligibility, recommend the correct visa category, and provide a tailored, up-to-date checklist.
Review, format, and translate documents per Czech Embassy and visa-center standards to minimize errors.
Manage digital submissions, appointment scheduling, document uploads, reminders, and status monitoring.
Proactively address additional document requests, policy updates, and reapplications reducing refusal risk and delays.
Streamline the process and reduce client stress while emphasizing that final visa approval rests solely with Czech and Schengen authorities and cannot be guaranteed by any service.