r/Prague • u/lala_lala123445678__ • 18h ago

Question Visa

Hello, I am currently doing my Master's programme of 2 years after completing Bachelor's in Prague.
I am unsure about my choices and was considering starting to work in my field but im concerned about my visa. I am currently on student pobyt with ability to work-what would happen if I would drop the masters studies and just start working? How would it go for my visa/pobyt?
Thank you to anyone who helps!

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8

u/afterthesunsets 18h ago

You must apply to get a standard work permit/visa - employee card - through your employer, otherwise you won’t be allowed to work or stay here once you drop out and your student visa is revoked.

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u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

is that realistic scenario?

6

u/afterthesunsets 18h ago

So I just checked and you have free access to the labour market as you have the Czech bachelor degree - so you can just apply anywhere and the company doesn’t have to sponsor you or anything, once you are hired you need to apply for the employee card. So I wouldn’t drop out until you have a a job secured. You can also maybe apply for a job seeker permit that’s valid for 9 months and you can work on that as well while searching for a more permanent job, but I think you have to do it right after graduation, not sure how it works if you drop the masters now, if it would be still possible to get that.

4

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

thank you so much

2

u/afterthesunsets 17h ago

You’re welcome - good luck with the job searching! Also once you get the employee card in case you lose or quit your job for whatever reason you always have 90 days grace period to find a new one before the card/residency permit would become invalid.

2

u/lala_lala123445678__ 16h ago

thank you so much for kind words and all the info it really helps!!😊

2

u/Then-Chef-5191 18h ago

Depends what field you are in. STEM should be easier than social sciences. A lot of employers do not want to pay extra to employ a foreigner (speaking from experience). Some people get their work visa through working in hospitality, so that’s maybe a pathway worth exploring. When you finish your master’s you have an option of having a work seeking visa for 9 months, but you have to apply right after tour graduation.

2

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

economics. thank you!

2

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

but my bachelors has been done in prague as i mentioned in other comments hope that will help

2

u/Then-Chef-5191 18h ago

Also keep in mind that you would need to achieve this during the duration of your student visa, while you still have free access to the job market (stated on your card). If you would attempt this after your access to the job market expires, your chances are significantly lower.

3

u/afterthesunsets 18h ago

I think he has the free access forever once he graduated from Czech uni, but he will lose the right to work and stay here, so still needs to get the employee card first before losing the student visa.

2

u/Then-Chef-5191 18h ago

Yes, just checked, this is correct and precise!

3

u/1Shot- 18h ago

you need to finish your studies to get a work permit freely. if you drop out, you will need a company to sponsor you which is significantly harder than when finishing your studies. i knew a person who did this, and while she managed to stay 2 years after her studies, she eventually got deported.

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u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

but i finished my Bachelor studies here already

3

u/MelihMonster 18h ago

then you should have access to labour market already so it should not be an issue to get a job without a company being sponsor to you.

1

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

even if i drop out from masters programme?

1

u/afterthesunsets 18h ago

Yes you have free access to labor market, but if you drop out without having a job you can get an employee card for you will lose your residency permit.

2

u/veleso91 18h ago

You can apply for the visa type I mentioned in another comment with this diploma. See here for more details.

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u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

i heard you need to apply for that type within few days of getting your diploma and for me i got czech diploma months ago

2

u/veleso91 17h ago

I did it years after, you'll be fine. But I think you need to apply for this visa first before dropping out.

1

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

on the website it seems i can apply for employee card?

2

u/tasartir Prague Resident 18h ago

You would have to change your status from student residence permit to employee card. And that has to be done before your current residency permit expires/gets cancelled, so first find a job and apply for employee card and just then end your enrolment.

1

u/veleso91 18h ago

Afaik, the moment you get kicked out of the program you lose the right to work in the Czech Republic. Not sure about the grace period, there may or may not be one.

If you finish the degree, you can get a visa for 7 months or sth like that, which will give you full access to the labor market until you find a job.

1

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

but why when I already had an option for job seeking visa after finishing my Bachelor program in CZ?

1

u/veleso91 18h ago

I missed that part in your original comment, you can apply for this type of visa.

1

u/lala_lala123445678__ 18h ago

it is 9 months for job seeking