Czech Republic

Yes, Indian citizens must have a valid visa to visit the Czech Republic for tourism, business, or social purposes. They can apply for a Schengen Visa-Type C, which allows short stays for up to 90 days within a 180-day period.

A Schengen visa allows individuals to enter, transit through, or stay within the Schengen Area, comprising of the following 29 European countries: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland

Visa processing for the Czech Republic takes around 15 working days from receiving a complete application. However, this timeframe may be extended due to factors such as required interviews, requests for additional documentation, or increased application volumes during peak travel seasons.

Tip: To ensure your visa is processed on time, submit your application at least 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date, especially if travelling during busy periods.

The 90/180 rule is a crucial guideline for travellers holding a Schengen visa, dictating how long they can stay within the Schengen Area. It states that you can stay for up to 90 days within any 180-day period in the Schengen Area. These 90 days can be consecutive or spread across multiple trips. However, the cumulative stay within the Schengen Area must not exceed 90 days in any rolling 180-day window.

Understanding the rule:

• Rolling period: The 180 days are counted on a rolling basis, meaning each day you are in the Schengen Area, the 180-day period shifts forward by one day. For instance, if you stay from January 1 to March 31, you can return on May 1 but must leave by July 30 (the next 90-day window).
• Multiple entries: The rule applies regardless of whether you are on a single-entry or multiple-entry visa. If you leave the Schengen Area and re-enter, the days spent inside are still counted towards your 90-day limit.
• Tracking your days: It’s important to keep track of the number of days you’ve spent in the Schengen Area during the last 180 days. Overstaying can result in fines, deportation, or a ban from re-entering the Schengen Area in the future.

Example:

• If you enter the Schengen Area on January 1 and stay for 30 days, you have 60 more days to use within the next 150 days.
• If you leave and return after 60 days, say on April 1, you can stay for another 60 days, completing your 90 days within that rolling 180-day period.

Note: You must not overstay. If you exceed the 90-day limit, you may face penalties, including fines, deportation, or a ban on re-entering the Schengen Area. Each country within the Schengen Zone may handle overstays differently, but the consequences are generally severe