How To Get a Work Visa to Teach English in the Czech Republic

• A "Zivno" Business Visa (Trade License)
• A Standard Work Visa
• Working Under the Table (No Visa)
  
  

• Housing contract to prove residency.
• Proof of health insurance for one year. It is possible to purchase a plan known as Complex Insurance in the Czech Republic for approximately $800.00/year. The plan provides basic health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Bank or Credit Card statement proving access to at least $8,000 USD, including an original bank statement on bank letterhead. Although this may appear to be a high threshold, there are many ways around this. Most teachers will “borrow” the money from parents or friends, print the bank statement, and then return the money to the lender.
• Criminal Check Affidavit from your Embassy in Prague. Contact your national embassy or consulate in the Czech Republic to learn how to obtain this document.
• 24 hours of English teaching and 11 hours of extra-curricular activities per week
• Forms – Typical paperwork that needs to be filled out in the Czech Republic and can obtained from Zivnostensky offices and visa assistance companies.
• Teachers may get to work in a wide range of locations around the country
  
  

Note: Most of these requirements can be taken care of in the Czech Republic. Teachers can apply for this visa and jobs while they are still on a tourist visa. It usually takes 2 – 3 months to get the visa back. If a tourist visa expires while waiting on Zivno, the teacher is still technically in the country legally because it is “in progress.” 

2. Standard Work Visa

This type of visa is less common because it requires extensive paperwork and financial expense for schools to sponsor it for teachers.

If a school hires you and agrees to sponsor a standard work visa, expect to spend approximately 100 euros. You will also be required to provide an original Diploma that has been apostilled (an apostille is a special international notarization). Your diploma also needs to be translated into Czech. The translation can be completed in the Czech Republic, but it is recommended that you complete this in your home country before departure. 

3. Working Under the Table Without a Work Visa

There are schools that will hire teachers who want to work “under the table” who don’t want to go through the process of obtaining a legal visa. It is uncommon for English teachers to be kicked out of the country unless they are causing a problem or engaging in some sort of criminal conduct. Also, schools are more willing to hire teachers with a Zivno or a standard work visa.

Learn More: What is Teaching English Under the Table Without a Work Visa?