Important Updates
Important Updates
August 4, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Consular Presence Expands in the United States
August 5, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: New Immigration Rules: What Construction Employers Need to Know
August 5, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 5, 2025 | United StatesPartners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen Named 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards Finalists
August 4, 2025 | Thailand Thailand: Mandatory Online Registration for Companies Using the Single Window System
August 4, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Consular Presence Expands in the United States
August 5, 2025 | United KingdomConstruction Management: New Immigration Rules: What Construction Employers Need to Know
August 5, 2025 | European UnionEuropean Union/Schengen Area: Internal Schengen Border Checks Situation
August 5, 2025 | United StatesPartners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen Named 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards Finalists
August 4, 2025 | Thailand Thailand: Mandatory Online Registration for Companies Using the Single Window System
August 4, 2025 | IndiaIndia: Consular Presence Expands in the United States
Subscribe
Fragomen.com home
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
Search Fragomen.com
  • Our Services
    For EmployersFor IndividualsBy IndustryCase Studies
  • Our Tech & Innovation
  • Our People
  • Our Insights
    Worldwide Immigration Trends ReportsMagellan SeriesImmigration AlertsEventsMedia MentionsFragomen NewsBlogsPodcasts & Videos
  • Spotlights
    Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump AdministrationTravel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle EastImmigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance RoadmapHumanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)Vietnamese ImmigrationAustralian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa
  • About Us
    About FragomenOfficesResponsible Business PracticesFirm GovernanceRecognition

Our Services

  • For Employers
  • For Individuals
  • By Industry
  • Case Studies

Our Tech & Innovation

  • Our Approach

Our People

  • Overview / Directory

Our Insights

  • Worldwide Immigration Trends Reports
  • Magellan Series
  • Immigration Alerts
  • Events
  • Media Mentions
  • Fragomen News
  • Blogs
  • Podcasts & Videos

Spotlights

  • Navigating Immigration Under the Second Trump Administration
  • Travel & Mobility Considerations: Situation in the Middle East
  • Immigration Matters: Your U.S. Compliance Roadmap
  • Humanitarian and Evolving Legal Pathways (HELP)
  • Vietnamese Immigration
  • Australian Immigration: New Skills in Demand Visa

About Us

  • About Fragomen
  • Offices
  • Responsible Business Practices
  • Firm Governance
  • Recognition
Select Language
  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German

Select Language

  • English
  • French
  • French - Canadian
  • German
ContactCareersMedia
  • Insights

Czech Republic: EU Blue Card Improvements and Long-Term Visa Restrictions Forthcoming

May 16, 2023

insight-news-default

Country / Territory

  • Czech RepublicCzech Republic

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

At a Glance

The Czech Parliament has approved amendments to immigration laws that would, among other changes:

  • Improve various terms for EU Blue Card applicants to align with the EU Blue Card Directive; and
  • Restrict eligibility for Long-Term Visa and Residence Permit applicants.

These changes are likely to come into effect no earlier than September 2023. 

The situation

The Czech Parliament has approved amendments to various immigration laws that would impact EU Blue Card and Long-Term Visa and Residence Permit applicants. 

A closer look

PROPOSAL DETAILS IMPACT
EU Blue Card improvements. The government would implement many requirements of the EU Blue Card Directive. 
  • Validity would increase to three years, up from two.
  • Certain applicants would see easier eligibility requirements and others would be exempt from having to submit a diploma from a qualifying school, whereas currently, all EU Blue Card applicants are subject to strict educational requirements. 
  • Eligibility for an EU Blue Card with shorter employment period and relaxed employment switching rules. 
  • Eligibility for the status for asylees or international protected status holders.
These key changes (among others) would expand access to the EU Blue Card, per the EU Blue Card Directive.
Restricted long-term visa and residence permit eligibility
  • Restriction of eligibility to apply for long-term visas or residence permits for those who have resided in their country of residence for two years (up from one year). 
  • New requirement to submit criminal clearance certificates from every country of residence for six months or more cumulatively (instead of consecutively) in the last three years. 
These restrictions on long-term visas and residence permits would make it harder for foreign nationals to qualify for these statuses. 
Restrictions for children   Children of main applicants age 18 or above would no longer be able to apply for Reunification Residence Permits as dependents and would instead need to apply for a different immigration status. Currently, they are eligible for dependent status if they can prove they do not have a source of income. This may make it more expensive for families to enter the country since they would need to apply for separate statuses for disqualified children.

Background

These changes are intended to make the EU Blue Card system more attractive to foreign nationals entering Czech Republic and to their Czech employers. The revision of the Blue Card Directive began last October, with its main aim to attract and retain highly skilled workers in the Czech Republic and European Union.

Looking ahead

The Senate must now approve these proposals, which could take six to eight weeks, after which the approval must be signed by the Czech President for final implementation. Overall, these changes are expected to come into effect no earlier than September 2023. 

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].  

Country / Territory

  • Czech RepublicCzech Republic

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Share

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn

Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions

Construction Management: New Immigration Rules: What Construction Employers Need to Know

Manager Kirsty Moore shares insights in a podcast interview on recent UK immigration changes, their impact on the construction industry and steps employers can take to remain compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen Named 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards Finalists

Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen are finalists for the 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Thought Leadership and Innovative Leaders categories.

Learn more

Video

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Fast-Track Your Path to Canada PR

Explore Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and learn how to apply for permanent residency. Includes eligibility, application steps and benefits for skilled workers and graduates.

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond the Oil: Understanding Iraq’s Evolving Compliance Landscape

Senior Manager Noman Khan explores Iraq’s shifting compliance landscape beyond its oil industry, highlighting emerging regulatory trends and challenges.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Nigerian Students Among Those Hit With 3-Month US Visas

Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how new US visa rules restrict travel for students from Nigeria and Ghana.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年7月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Media mentions

Construction Management: New Immigration Rules: What Construction Employers Need to Know

Manager Kirsty Moore shares insights in a podcast interview on recent UK immigration changes, their impact on the construction industry and steps employers can take to remain compliant.

Learn more

Awards

Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen Named 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards Finalists

Partners Audrea Golding and Emily Allen are finalists for the 2025 Women, Influence & Power in Law Awards in the Thought Leadership and Innovative Leaders categories.

Learn more

Video

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Fast-Track Your Path to Canada PR

Explore Canada’s Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) and learn how to apply for permanent residency. Includes eligibility, application steps and benefits for skilled workers and graduates.

Learn more

Blog post

Beyond the Oil: Understanding Iraq’s Evolving Compliance Landscape

Senior Manager Noman Khan explores Iraq’s shifting compliance landscape beyond its oil industry, highlighting emerging regulatory trends and challenges.

Learn more

Media mentions

The PIE: Nigerian Students Among Those Hit With 3-Month US Visas

Partner Aaron Blumberg highlights how new US visa rules restrict travel for students from Nigeria and Ghana.

Learn more

Media mentions

Times Higher Education: More Universities Put on ‘Action Plans’ as Home Office Gets Tough

Senior Manager Jonathan Hill noted that stricter UKVI audits and asylum claim reviews are driving more student visa action plans.

Learn more

Fragomen news

2025年7月 アメリカ移民法ダイジェストLearn more

Media mentions

Law360: Grappling With Workforce-Related Immigration Enforcement

Partner K. Edward Raleigh and Associate Anna I. Perina explore how changing immigration enforcement is affecting workforce planning and compliance for US employers.

Learn more

Blog post

Updating Articles of Association (AoA) in Saudi Arabia: What Companies Need to Know

Corporate Services Manager Asfandyar Sheikh and Assistant Corporate Services Manager Ka-Ying Leung provide guidance for businesses on the legal and procedural requirements for amending their AoA in Saudi Arabia.

Learn more

Blog post

Green Card Backlogs and Visa Bulletin Trends: What Employers Can Do In 2025 and Beyond

Counsel Susan Steger discusses how US employers can navigate ongoing green card delays and shifting visa bulletin trends to better support foreign talent and workforce planning.

Learn more

Media mentions

C21 Media: How to Prepare for Immigration Reforms Under the UK Industrial Strategy

Senior Manager Sean Rhodes and Associate Milosz Skorupski outline how UK immigration reforms will affect creative businesses and highlight key considerations for planning ahead.

Learn more

Awards

WirtschaftsWoche Recognises Fragomen and Partner Axel Boysen as Best in Migration Law

WirtschaftsWoche names Fragomen to its "Best Law Firms 2025" list and Partner Axel Boysen to its "Best Lawyers 2025" list in the field of migration law for private individuals. 

Learn more

Stay in touch

Subscribe to receive our latest immigration alerts

Subscribe

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Our firm

  • About
  • Careers
  • Firm Governance
  • Media Inquiries
  • Recognition

Information

  • Attorney Advertising
  • Legal Notices
  • Privacy Policies
  • UK Regulatory Requirements

Have a question?

Contact Us
  • LinkedIn
  • Youtube
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

© 2025 Fragomen, Del Rey, Bernsen & Loewy, LLP, Fragomen Global LLP and affiliates. All Rights Reserved.

Please note that the content made available on this site is not intended for visitors / customers located in the province of Quebec, and the information provided is not applicable to the Quebec market. To access relevant information that applies to the Quebec market, please click here.