Schengen Short-Stay (Type C)Verified 2026-04-28Czech Republic Family / Friend Visit Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
The Czech Republic Family / Friend Visit Visa is a Schengen Short-Stay (Type C) visa for Indians travelling to visit a family member or friend living in the Czech Republic. Stay up to 90 days. IMPORTANT: family members (parents, spouse, children) of a Czech Republic / EU-member-country citizen may be EXEMPT from the visa fee — and may apply directly at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi by prior email appointment, or through VFS. The VFS service charge still applies in either case.
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CIN U52291PB2024PTC060508
Patiala, Punjab
In-person office · Walk in any day
Processing
Up to 15 calendar days from when the Embassy receives your complete application (NOT from VFS submission)
Stay Duration
Up to 90 days in any 180-day period (entire Schengen area)
Starting Fee
₹9,700
Apply At
12 VFS centres
Special Instructions — Read Before Applying
These requirements apply to ALL Czech Republic visa types. Violations mean your application will be rejected — read each one carefully.
- 1Indian passport holders MUST apply through VFS Global India — direct walk-ins to the Embassy are not accepted, except for family members of EU / Czech Republic nationals (by prior email appointment at info.shortterm_delhi@mzv.cz between 10:00–12:30 working days).
- 2If documents are missing post-submission, email them within 3 working days to newdelhi.shortterm@mzv.gov.cz with subject 'Missing documents – Name Surname and passport number'. Emails to other Embassy addresses are disregarded.
- 3Submission of incomplete documentation, or refusal to appear for a special interview, will result in rejection.
- 4Each application is assessed independently by the Consular Section of the Czech Embassy — VFS staff have no authority to assess or decide.
- 5Possessing a valid Czech / Schengen visa does not guarantee entry — final entry decision is made by the immigration officer at the border.
Who Can Apply
- Visiting family — parent, spouse, child, sibling — residing legally in the Czech Republic
- Visiting close friends with documented relationship
- Family members (parent / spouse / child) of an EU / Czech Republic citizen — eligible for visa fee waiver
- Attending family events — weddings, religious functions, birthdays, anniversaries
Not eligible under this visa:
- Stays longer than 90 days — apply for a Type D long-stay family-reunification visa
- Family members of EU citizens seeking permanent residence — apply for residence permit
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Fees (in INR)
| Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| Adult visa (Schengen Short-Stay) | ₹9,700 |
| Children 6–12 years | ₹4,900 |
| Children under 6 years | FREE |
| VFS service charge | ₹2,156 |
| Courier after submission (optional) | ₹840 |
All Visa Fees and VFS service charges are non-refundable, regardless of visa outcome. Visa fees are reviewed independently for each application — no guarantee of issuance can be given. Approximate total for an adult tourist / business visa: ₹11,856 (₹9,700 + ₹2,156) plus optional courier ₹840. Family members of EU / Czech Republic nationals may be exempt from the visa fee — VFS service charge still applies. IMPORTANT — Family members (parents, spouse, children, etc.) of an EU / Czech Republic citizen are EXEMPT from the visa fee if they provide relevant relationship documents at submission. The VFS service charge of ₹2,156 still applies. Such applicants may apply DIRECTLY at the Embassy of the Czech Republic in New Delhi (10:00–12:30 working days, by prior email appointment to info.shortterm_delhi@mzv.cz) — or via VFS.
Documents Required
Mandatory — every applicant must provide
- !Schengen Visa Application Form (Type C)
Completed in full and signed by the applicant
- !Valid passport
Issued within the last 10 years; valid 3+ months beyond return date; minimum 2 blank pages
- !Passport copies
Bio-data page + last page (Indian passports) + previous Schengen entry/exit stamps if any
- !Two recent passport-size photographs (35–40 mm, white background)
ICAO-compliant; face covers 70–80% of frame; no eyewear (Czech Embassy instruction); see photo spec section
- !Cover letter signed by applicant
State purpose of travel, duration, names + passport numbers of accompanying persons, transport + accommodation details
- ○Marriage certificate
If married and marital status not evidenced in the passport; ration card copy if applicable
- !Proof of means of transport + itinerary
Confirmed return / onward flight reservation (not ticketed)
- !Proof of lodging
Hotel reservation, holiday-home rental, or invitation + sponsorship form from host. If visiting multiple Schengen states, lodging proof for each is required
- !Travel medical insurance — minimum €30,000 cover
Valid across ALL Schengen countries; covers accident, illness, medical evacuation; covers full duration including arrival + departure
Proof of financial means — every applicant
- !Personal bank statement — last 3 months
ORIGINAL bank-stamped + signed; A4 size; every applicant submits their own (and sponsor's, if applicable)
- !Indian Income Tax Return (ITR) — last 2 assessment years
And of the sponsor if applicable
If the applicant is EMPLOYED
- !Pay slips for the last 3 months
- !Employment contract
- !Employer's NOC / approval-of-leave letter
Stating dates of approved leave + designation
If the applicant is COMPANY OWNER / SELF-EMPLOYED
- !Certificate of Registration of the company
- !GST registration certificate
- !Business bank account statement + barcode-verifiable ITR proof
If the applicant is SPONSORED
- !National sponsorship form of the Schengen state
Original official invitation, verified by the Alien Police Service in the Czech Republic
- !Notarised written consent from sponsor
If trip is sponsored by parent / guardian / any third party — public-notary attested
If the applicant is RETIRED
- !Pension statements — last 3 months
- ○Proof of regular income from property / business
Where applicable
If the applicant is a MINOR
- !Notarised consent from absent parent/guardian
If travelling with only one parent — except where one parent has sole custody (proof required)
- !Notarised consent from BOTH parents/guardians
If minor travels alone (without parents)
- !Copies of parents' passports OR birth certificate of applicant + ID copies of parents
If the applicant is a PUPIL / STUDENT
- !Enrolment certificate from school / university
- !Copy of student ID card
Family / Friend Visit-specific (additional)
- !Invitation letter from the family member / friend in the Czech Republic
Including their full address, contact details, intended period of stay, and relationship to applicant
- !Proof of legal residence of host
Copy of passport / national ID card / Czech residence permit of the host
- !Certificate proving family relationship
If visiting relatives — birth certificate, marriage certificate, or other documentary proof of relationship
- ○National sponsorship form (if host sponsors stay / accommodation)
Original official invitation verified by the Alien Police Service in the Czech Republic
If applicant is family of EU / Czech national — for visa fee waiver
- !Marriage certificate / birth certificate proving relationship to EU / Czech citizen
REQUIRED for fee waiver — must establish: parent / spouse / child of an EU / Czech national
- !Copy of EU / Czech national's passport / Czech ID card
Establishes the host's nationality
- ○Proof of EU / Czech national's residence in the Czech Republic
Czech residence permit / address proof — if applicable
! = mandatory · ○ = optional / if applicable
🗺️ Step-by-Step Application Process
Determine your route — Embassy direct OR VFS
If you are family of an EU / Czech citizen, you may apply directly at the Embassy in New Delhi by emailing info.shortterm_delhi@mzv.cz for an appointment (10:00–12:30 working days). Otherwise, apply via VFS.
Secure the invitation from the family / friend host
Letter must include host's full address, contact details, intended period of stay, and relationship. If applying for a fee waiver, also include host's passport / Czech ID copy.
Gather relationship proofs
For family of EU / Czech nationals — marriage / birth certificate is REQUIRED to claim the visa fee waiver. For friends — a written statement of relationship works.
Download and complete the Schengen Type C form
From the VFS Global Czech Republic website. Sign each page.
Gather all mandatory documents
Use the checklist above. Bank statements A4 + original stamps. ITR last 2 years. Travel insurance €30,000 minimum.
Get ICAO-compliant photographs
35–40 mm wide, white background, NO eyewear, taken within last 6 months.
Book appointment + submit
VFS: book online at visa.vfsglobal.com/ind/en/cze, pay ₹2,156 service charge. Embassy direct: email info.shortterm_delhi@mzv.cz to book.
Track and collect
Processing up to 15 calendar days from Embassy receipt. You may be called for a personal interview at the Embassy as part of the standard process.
Download Official Forms
Official forms are hosted by VFS Global — we don't host third-party forms ourselves, so you always get the latest version.
📋 How to download from VFS:
- Click the form name below — opens VFS Switzerland page
- Select the visa category you're applying for (e.g. Tourist, Business, Student)
- Scroll down to the "Download Form" section at the bottom
- Click the PDF icon next to the form name → saves to your device
VFS Application Centres
Schengen Tourist Visa Eligibility Check
Answer 10 quick questions to see your likelihood of approval. This is not a guarantee — final decision is always with the Embassy — but it flags common weak spots so you can address them before applying.
What's the primary purpose of your trip?
How long do you plan to stay?
Have you previously visited any Schengen country?
Have you ever been refused a Schengen (or any country's) visa?
Past refusals must be disclosed — they show up in VIS database across Schengen countries.
Do you have confirmed travel bookings?
Reservations are enough — don't buy tickets until visa approval.
What's your current employment status?
What's your typical 3-month bank balance?
Schengen needs ~₹700/day covered. For a 10-day trip, minimum ₹70,000 stable balance.
How many years of Income Tax Returns (ITR) can you show?
What are your strongest ties to India (return-intent)?
Embassies want evidence you'll come back — not overstay.
Who are you travelling with?
Indicative only — final decision is always with the Embassy.
💡 Pro Tips
- Travel medical insurance must cover MINIMUM €30,000 across ALL Schengen states — without it your application will be rejected outright.
- Personal bank statements MUST be on A4 paper with original bank stamp and signature — photocopies and online printouts without stamps are rejected.
- Photographs with EYEWEAR are NOT accepted at Czech VFS centres — remove glasses before submission.
- Apply at least 15 days before travel for Tourist visas (mandatory minimum) — and 4–6 weeks for safety. Embassy will not process Tourist applications submitted with less than 15 days to travel.
- Indian passports issued AFTER 01 April 2010 with handwritten observations / manual entries (name, DOB, place of birth, sex, spouse, parents, address) are NOT accepted.
- If your passport has 'previously known as' observation, carry the previous passport (or photocopy of its data page) OR a copy of the name-change advertisement from a local daily newspaper as proof.
- Submit at the VFS centre nearest to you — if outside Delhi, your file is forwarded to the Embassy within 3 working days, so plan extra time.
- If you are family of an EU / Czech citizen, you MAY save the ₹9,700 visa fee — but only if you carry the relationship + nationality proofs at submission. The VFS service charge still applies.
- For an EU / Czech national family route, you can also book a direct Embassy appointment via info.shortterm_delhi@mzv.cz — this is faster for clear-cut cases.
- — PHOTO SPECIFICATIONS —
- Two recent (not older than 6 months) high-definition passport-size colour photos.
- Width 35–40 mm, white / light-coloured plain background.
- Face must cover at least 70–80% of the photograph (per ICAO).
- Sharp focus, in colour, no ink marks, no creases, photo-quality paper.
- Looking directly at the camera, neutral expression, mouth closed, eyes open and clearly visible — no hair across eyes.
- Even lighting, natural skin tones, no shadows on face / behind head, no flash reflection, no red-eye.
- EYEWEAR is NOT acceptable for applicants submitting at VFS centres (per Czech Embassy instruction). Remove glasses.
- Head coverings are not permitted except for religious reasons — chin to top of forehead and both edges of face must be clearly visible.
Common Rejection Reasons
- 1.Relationship proof not properly documented — Embassy unable to verify family link
- 2.Host's residence proof in the Czech Republic not provided
- 3.Travel insurance below €30,000 minimum
- 4.Bank statements without original stamps or insufficient funds
- 5.Photo with eyewear or wrong dimensions
- 6.Inconsistent stay duration between invitation letter and applicant's statement
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the visa fee really waived for family of EU / Czech citizens?+
Can I apply directly at the Czech Embassy in New Delhi?+
What's the difference between a Family Visit Visa and a Tourist Visa?+
Will I be called for an interview?+
How long can I stay on a Family Visit Visa?+
Can SureshotVisa help with the EU-family fee-waiver route?+
Let us prepare your Czech Republic Family / Friend Visit Visa — (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C) application
Free consultation. Our experts handle the entire file — cover letter, documents, VFS booking, embassy follow-up.
Other Czech Republic Visa Types
Czech Republic Tourist Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Czech Republic Tourist Visa from India — Schengen Short-Stay (Type C). Complete fees, ICAO photo spec, document checklist, and step-by-step application via VFS Global.
Czech Republic Business / Conference Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Czech Republic Business / Conference Visa from India — Schengen Short-Stay (Type C). Complete fees, documents, host invitation requirements, and step-by-step application.
Czech Republic Cultural / Sport / Religious / Film Crew Visa (Schengen Type C)
Apply for a Czech Republic Cultural Event Visa from India — covering cultural, sports, religious events, and film crews. Possible fee waiver under India-Czech bilateral cultural cooperation.
Czech Republic Medical Treatment Visa (Schengen Short-Stay, Type C)
Apply for a Czech Republic Medical Treatment Visa from India — Schengen Short-Stay (Type C). Requires medical institution letter, treatment confirmation, and proof of pre-payment.
Czech Republic Airport Transit Visa (Schengen Short-Stay)
Apply for a Czech Republic Airport Transit Visa from India — for layovers at Prague or other Czech airports en route to a third-country destination.
Source & Disclaimer
Data on this page is sourced from the official VFS Global Czech Republic website and Embassy of Czech Republic. Last verified 2026-04-28. Always verify with the official embassy before applying — fees and requirements change without notice.