The Czech Republic Tourist Visa (Schengen short-stay) process for Indian passport holders

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.