Czech Republic Schengen Visa Documents & Requirements for UK Applicants

Applying for a Czech Republic Schengen visa from the UK requires precise documentation. Missing a single document or providing incorrect formats can delay your application by weeks. This guide covers every document you need, based on official VFS Global requirements for UK applicants in 2026.

Who Needs a Czech Schengen Visa from the UK?

UK Passport Holders

You do NOT need a visa for tourism or business trips under 90 days. UK citizens can visit the Schengen Area visa-free for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

UK Residents (Non-UK Nationals)

If you hold a non-UK passport and live in the UK, you need a Czech Schengen visa to visit Czech Republic. This includes holders of:

• Indefinite Leave to Remain (ILR)

• Settled or Pre-Settled Status

• Valid UK residence permits (work, study, or family)

Cannot apply from UK: Visitors holding UK short-stay tourist visas (Type C, 6-month visitor visa) must return to their home country to apply.

Complete Documents Checklist for Czech Visa from UK

1. Valid Passport (Plus Photocopy)

Your passport must meet strict validity requirements:

Validity Requirements:

• Must be valid for at least 3 months after your requested trip ends

• Must have been issued within the last 10 years (even if still valid, passports older than 10 years are rejected)

• Must contain at least two empty visa pages for the visa sticker and entry/exit stamps

• Must be duly signed by the passport holder

What to Submit:

• Original passport

• One photocopy of the biometric data page

Common Rejection Reason: UK passports that added "unspent time" from old passports may show an issue date older than 10 years. Check your issue date carefully.

2. UK Residence Permit

Digital Status Holders (Settled/Pre-Settled Status):

• Print your "prove your immigration status" page from UK government immigration status portal

• Print your Share Code (must be valid for at least 30 days)

eVisa Holders:

• Screenshot of your eVisa showing status details

• Your Share Code generated within 90 days

Important: Physical BRP cards are NO LONGER valid for proving immigration status as of 2025. You must use your eVisa and Share Code.

Validity Requirement: Your UK residence permit must be valid for minimum 1 month after your return to the UK from the Schengen area.

3. Recent Passport Photograph

Exact Specifications (ICAO Compliant):

• Dimensions: 35mm wide × 45mm high

• Background: Light background (white or light grey)

• Photo quality: Well contrasted, professional quality

• Head position: Must look straight into camera, head straight (not tilted)

• Expression: Mouth closed, neutral expression

• Age: Taken within the last 6 months

• Coverage: Face must cover 70-80% of the photo

Attachment Method: Glue the photo to the designated spot on the application form. Do NOT use staples.

4. Completed Visa Application Form

How to Access:

• Download from VFS Global Czech Republic portal

• Must be filled out in clear and legible English

• Must be signed by the applicant on-site at your VFS appointment (do not pre-sign)

Complete BEFORE your appointment - you cannot fill it out at the visa center.

5. Proof of Funds (Bank Statements)

This is the most scrutinized document. You must prove you can financially support yourself during the trip.

Standard Requirements:

• Nominative UK bank account statements covering at least the last three complete months

• Current balance shown must be no older than 1 month

• Must show your name and UK address

• Must be from a current account (not savings account)

Minimum Balance Calculation: The Czech Republic calculates this based on the "Existential Minimum":

• Stays ≤ 30 days: Approximately 1,565 CZK (£53) per day

• Example: 7-day trip = minimum £371, but showing £500-700 is safer

Formula: Minimum Balance = (£53 × Days) + Accommodation Cost (if not prepaid) + Flight Cost (if not prepaid) + £300 emergency buffer

6. Round-Trip Transport Ticket Booking

Flight Bookings:

• Confirmed return ticket to the United Kingdom

• OR proof of onward travel if not returning to UK

• Tickets must show airports of departure and destination

• Tickets must show name of applicant as per passport

Do I Need Fully Paid Tickets? No. "Flight reservations" or "hold bookings" are accepted. Many airlines and travel agencies offer 48-72 hour holds. We recommend purchasing refundable tickets.

7. Travel Insurance Certificate

Mandatory Coverage:

• Minimum EUR 30,000 medical coverage

• Valid for the entire territory of Schengen Member States

• Must cover the entire period of intended stay or transit

What Must Be Covered:

• Repatriation for medical reasons

• Urgent medical attention

• Emergency hospital treatment

• Death during stay in Schengen territory

Cost: £10-20 for single trip, £30-50 for annual multi-trip

8. Evidence of Socioeconomic Status

This proves you have strong ties to the UK and will return after your trip.

If You Are Employed:

• Employment letter (recently issued within 1 month from application date)

• Must be on company letterhead

• Must include: Name, date of issue, address, contact details, position of signatory, company registration number

• Must state: Your position, salary, and approval of leave for travel dates

• Last 3 months' payslips

If You Are Self-Employed:

• Letter from accountant, banker, or solicitor (recently issued within 1 month)

• Self-assessment form edited by HMRC

• Business bank statements (last 3 months)

If You Are a Student:

• Letter from school, college, or university in the UK (recently issued within 1 month)

• Must state: Date of issue, name of applicant, type of studies, number of lessons per week, attendance record

• If financially supported by parents, include sponsor documentation

9. Documents for Minors (Children Under 18)

All Minors Must Submit:

• Original birth certificate + photocopy

Minors Traveling Alone or with Only One Parent: Unless one parent has sole custody or a residence order, you must provide:

• Original passports of both parents + photocopy

• Proof of consent of parental authority or legal guardian (notarized letter)

Common Document Mistakes That Cause Delays

Bank Statements:

• Statements older than 1 month

• Screenshots instead of official bank statements

• Balance too low for trip duration

• No name/address visible

Employment Letters:

• Not dated within 1 month of application

• Missing company registration number

• No mention of leave approval

• Not on official letterhead

Travel Insurance:

• Coverage less than €30,000

• Doesn't cover entire Schengen area

• Policy ends before return date

• Repatriation not explicitly mentioned

Can Visard Help Speed Up the Process?

Our visa appointment bot can't help with document preparation, but we can solve the appointment availability problem.

The Appointment Bottleneck

Czech Republic visa appointments at VFS centers book out weeks in advance. Manual checking takes hours and often fails.

How Visard Monitors Appointments

• Checks VFS every 3 seconds (28,800 times/day)

• Auto-booking option: We book your slot automatically when one appears—you pay only after we successfully secure your appointment

• Notification service: Get instant Telegram alerts when slots open

Pricing (UK to Czech Republic)

• Auto-booking: £100 for first applicant, £50 for each additional family member

  • VFS service fee: £22.80 per person (paid separately at appointment)

  • You only pay Visard's fee AFTER we book your appointment

• Notifications: £35 for Czech Republic only, £65 for all Schengen countries

Average Booking Time

4-7 days from starting monitoring to secured appointment.

Learn more: Czech Republic Schengen visa appointments from UK

Important: Visard is a private technology service and is not affiliated with the Czech Republic government, VFS Global, or TLScontact.

Final Document Submission Checklist

Before your VFS appointment, verify you have:

• Original passport + photocopy of biometric page

• UK residence permit (eVisa screenshot or Share Code printout)

• 1 recent passport photo (35mm × 45mm, ICAO compliant)

• Completed application form (signed at appointment, not before)

• Copies of previous Schengen visas (if applicable)

• Bank statements (last 3 months, no older than 1 month)

• Round-trip flight reservations

• Accommodation bookings or invitation letter

• Travel insurance certificate (€30,000 minimum coverage)

• Employment letter (dated within 1 month) + last 3 payslips

• For minors: Birth certificate + parental consent documents

• Certified translations (if applicable)

Remember: Meeting all requirements does not guarantee visa approval. Additional documents can be requested. Processing delays occur if documents are incomplete.