Question 1

The embassy's response is delayed and my studies have already started. What do I do?

Accepted Answer

Contacting the embassy directly usually won't help: your file is now with the Czech Ministry of the Interior, not the embassy, and they'll only respond once a decision is made. You can ask your university to add you to "student mode" if that's possible, which can speed things along, or ask the university to follow up with the ministry directly. Delays of 90–120 days after the embassy interview are common and normal as long as you're still within 90 days of your study start date.

Question 2

If my visa application is rejected, can I reapply with the same documents?

Accepted Answer

No, unfortunately you cannot resubmit the exact same application after a rejection.

Question 3

If I'm rejected, do I get my money back?

Accepted Answer

Visa and document-processing fees are not refundable. University fees depend entirely on the university's own policy: some refund 90%, some 75%, and some don't refund anything at all.

Question 4

How do I appeal a rejection?

Accepted Answer

The appeal must be filed within two weeks of receiving the rejection, and it needs to be written in Czech. It's best to get someone to help you with it.

Question 5

How long is the tourist travel permit valid, and can it be reused?

Accepted Answer

As of the latest update, the travel permit is valid for only 15 days from the date it's issued, and it can be used only once.

Question 6

What's the difference between the 90-day (short-term) visa and a long-term residence permit?

Accepted Answer

A long-term visa lets you stay in the Czech Republic for more than 90 days, valid for up to one year, for a single entry. A long-term residence permit is a plastic biometric card issued after you're already in the country (typically after a long-term visa), valid up to 2 years, and lets you re-enter freely for the same purpose.

Question 7

Should the embassy interview be in Arabic or English?

Accepted Answer

It's strongly preferred to do the interview in English, not your mother tongue.

Question 8

What kinds of questions does the embassy usually ask?

Accepted Answer

Common questions include: why you chose the Czech Republic, whether you considered other countries, why this specific university, how you found and applied to it, what documents you submitted, whether you have the original acceptance letter, what you'll study, your English/Czech level, your financial situation and who supports you, where you'll live, and general knowledge about the Czech Republic (currency, EU membership since 2004, Prague landmarks). Prepare specific, confident answers rather than vague ones.

Question 9

How do I book the embassy visa appointment and legalize my documents?

Accepted Answer

Visit the official Czech Embassy website for your country. There's usually a dedicated page for document legalization with a booking link, and a separate page for booking the visa interview appointment (the confirmation form is normally at the bottom of that page). Requirements and process are broadly the same across embassies, though the exact link differs by country.

Question 10

Which documents need to be translated into Czech, and which into English?

Accepted Answer

Into Czech: proof of sufficient financial means (bank statement), criminal record extract from your home country and any country you lived in continuously for 6+ months in the last 3 years, proof of health requirements (medical certificate), and your educational certificates from the last 4 years. Into English: credit-hours documentation, bachelor's-eligibility certificate, and any correspondence with the university. If you're studying in Czech, translate everything into Czech instead.

Question 11

What passport requirements apply before traveling?

Accepted Answer

Your passport must be valid. If you're under 15, you must be registered on a parent's passport, or have your own. To get a long-term visa, the passport must have been issued less than 10 years ago, contain at least 2 blank pages, and be valid for at least 3 months beyond the visa's validity period.

Question 12

What is "nostrification" and what documents does it need?

Accepted Answer

Nostrification confirms that your educational background is equivalent to that of Czech students. You'll need your verified school-leaving certificate, a study plan showing hours per subject over the last 4 years, original annual grade reports (stamped and signed), and a verified copy of your school's license to operate. It usually takes about 30 days to process.

Question 13

How much money do I need to show in my bank account, and for how long?

Accepted Answer

The published minimum on the embassy's official site is around 115,810 CZK. This must sit in a current (checking) account, not a certificate of deposit or savings certificate, for at least 6 months before your interview, and cover accommodation, food, insurance, travel, and other living costs. If you're under 21 and can't open an account in your own name, you can deposit it in a parent's account with a bank signature verification or a notarized affidavit (usually ~0.5% of the amount as a fee). Always check the embassy's official page for the current figure, since it changes with the exchange rate.

Question 14

Is the preparatory year mandatory for studying medicine?

Accepted Answer

No, it's not mandatory at all. If you already know Czech and have studied the admission subjects yourself, you can take the entrance exam directly. But be realistic: learning the language well enough typically takes about two years of dedicated study, and language courses cost roughly €5,000/year.

Question 15

What language level is required for medicine and dentistry?

Accepted Answer

B2 for Charles University's Plzeň branch and Ostrava University's medicine program; C1 for Charles University's Prague and Hradec Králové branches. Masaryk University (Brno) and Palacký University don't require a language certificate for medicine: you just need the high school equivalency certificate and to pass the entrance exam. Pharmacy doesn't require a language certificate at all, only the entrance exam.

Question 16

What subjects are on the medicine entrance exam?

Accepted Answer

Biology, Physics, and Chemistry for human medicine or dentistry across the Czech Republic. For pharmacy, it's just Chemistry and Biology. Admission is based purely on the entrance exam result plus your equivalency certificate, not your high school GPA.

Question 17

How do I choose a university and program?

Accepted Answer

Use the official Study in Czechia portal to browse institutions, then filter by major and degree level (bachelor's/master's). Compare tuition across a shortlist (for example, one student found engineering programs ranging from about €1,000 to €2,000/year across different universities) and check each program's entrance requirements before committing.

Question 18

Can I study in Czech for free?

Accepted Answer

Yes, public universities charge no tuition for programmes taught in Czech. You usually need B2+ Czech, often achieved via a one-year foundation/preparatory programme (costs ~€2,000–€5,000). You still pay living costs (~€500–€800 per month).

Question 19

What's the Bologna system and why does it matter?

Accepted Answer

Czech degrees follow the European Bologna structure: a 3-year Bachelor's, a 2-year Master's, and a 3-year PhD. This means your degree is recognised across EU/EEA countries and usually transfers cleanly to other European universities.

Question 20

How many English-taught programmes are available?

Accepted Answer

There are over 400 Bachelor's and Master's programmes taught fully in English across 60+ Czech universities, and the exact number grows each year as universities add international offerings.

Question 21

How does Study Czechia compare to agencies like Top Edu or MSM Academy?

Accepted Answer

Study Czechia is independent and has no connection to Top Edu, MSM Academy or any other agency. The guides, deadline tracker and tools on this site are free to use; personal help (document review, interview preparation, application support) is optional and its prices are listed on the site. We make no claims about other agencies' services. Whichever one you consider, ask them the eight questions on our Questions to Ask page and compare the answers in writing.

Question 22

How does student dormitory priority work?

Accepted Answer

Each faculty has its own set of dormitory buildings. Priority goes first to students of that same faculty, then to students from other faculties, then to students from institutes. If your faculty's building is full, you'll need to apply to another university's dormitories. VŠE's dormitories in Prague are the most popular fallback and are consistently well-rated.

Question 23

How do I apply for student housing?

Accepted Answer

Applications are made online through the ISKAM system, or in person at the Central Accommodation Office. If your faculty has no space available, look into other dormitory buildings or check apartment rental groups on Facebook and sites like Sreality.

Question 24

What are typical monthly living costs as a student in the Czech Republic?

Accepted Answer

Tuition (English-taught programs): 15,000–250,000 CZK per year, depending on program and university (Czech-taught programs are free). Health insurance: 13,000–19,000 CZK per year. Accommodation deposit: 5,000–15,000 CZK. Dorm rent: 4,500–6,500 CZK per month (shared room); private rentals start around 8,000 CZK per month. Food: from 2,500 CZK per month. Mobile top-up: from 300 CZK per month. Laundry: 40–70 CZK per load. Transport (student discount): 140–200 CZK per month.

Question 25

How many hours can I legally work while studying, and how much will I earn?

Accepted Answer

Students with a residence permit for the purpose of "study" have free access to the Czech labour market, no work permit needed and no fixed hour limit. Verify your specific visa type, as other residence purposes may carry restrictions. Entry-level wages (e.g. restaurant work) start around 120–180 CZK/hour. Work in your field pays according to industry, so check sites like Indeed or Salary Explorer. English alone can get you work, but Czech usually unlocks better pay and more options.

Question 26

How do I avoid getting scammed by study agencies?

Accepted Answer

This isn't like other destinations where someone takes €100 and hands you a university acceptance the next day. It's genuinely difficult, takes real time and effort, and requires a solid language level. Be very wary of any office promising to "handle everything" for a large flat fee (some scams have charged around €1,000). Do the steps yourself where you can, and only use vetted, community-recommended offices for translation and document help.

Question 27

I'm still enrolled in an Egyptian university and haven't registered my military deferral yet. How do I get a tourist travel permit?

Accepted Answer

You'll need a recent enrollment certificate from your college for the current academic year (issued within the last 3 months), plus a valid national ID and a copy of it. Go to the recruitment (conscription) office you're registered under in your governorate. At the inquiries desk, say you need a tourist travel permit for students; they'll stamp your enrollment certificate. Hand in your phone at the lockers, then get the travel permit application form (costs around 270 EGP), fill it in. If you're actually flying via Vienna or Budapest, put that as your destination on the form (say you're traveling for tourism, not study, this matters). Submit the form, get fingerprinted, and you'll receive a paper with a link to collect the permit online the same evening (around 6 PM) using your national ID number. As of the latest update, the permit is valid for only 15 days from issue and can be used once.

Question 28

What documents and items should I bring with me from Egypt?

Accepted Answer

Keep the originals of everything you had authenticated and translated: your passport, provisional university acceptance letter, translated and legalized education certificates (last 4 years), criminal record extract, bank statement, health certificate, passport-size photos, and your Czech visa/residence permit sticker itself. Also worth bringing: a copy of your accommodation contract, proof of health insurance, and enough cash for your first few days before you sort out a local bank account. Keep digital scans of everything as backup, and don't pack these documents in checked luggage; carry them with you.

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