Adaptation and integration courses – a new obligation for foreigners from January 1, 2021

Every foreigner who has been issued a long-term residence permit in the Czech Republic after January 1, 2021, has a new obligation to complete an Adaptation and integration course within one year from the date of receiving the residence permit. The courses provide newcomers with a great deal of practical and up-to-date information that will help to improve their orientation in Czech society and to understand their rights and obligations well.

About the course

The content of the course includes basic information about the Czech Republic, aspects of the functioning of the Czech society, and the rights and obligations of foreigners. The course will review the issues of the education system in the Czech Republic, employment of foreigners, business, healthcare, housing, addressing everyday issues, culture and traditions, holidays and celebrations, gender equality or prevention of domestic violence. In addition, course participants will be provided with information on organizations and institutions providing free counselling to foreigners.

The course lasts 4 hours and is led by a professionally qualified lecturer, in the Czech language. The content is then interpreted by a qualified interpreter into English, Arabic, French, Mongolian, Russian, Serbian, Spanish, Ukrainian or Vietnamese. One course is intended for a maximum of thirty participants.

The courses are administered by the Centers for the Support of the Integration of Foreigners. There are a total of eighteen Integration Centres in the Czech Republic, including the Integration Centre Prague. It is entirely your choice where you complete this course.

How to apply?

You can apply online in just three steps:

• register on the Foreigners reservation system portal
• pay the fee (CZK 1,500) and receive a confirmation of payment
• register for a specific course and receive a confirmation by e-mail

After registering in the FRS portal, a variable symbol will be generated; the amount will then be credited to an account maintained by the Ministry of Interior, either by bank transfer or by deposit slip. If the variable symbol is not indicated when making a payment, the payment will not be recognized.

On the day of the course, you must arrive at the venue, present a residence permit and confirm the participation by signing the attendance list. The course does not end with any exam or test, nevertheless, you must attend the course for the entire duration. For participating in the course, you will receive a certificate of completion of the course.

Exceptions

A foreigner who has already completed this course or has been issued a long-term residence permit or a permanent residence permit before January 1, 2021, does not have to complete the course. The obligation to complete the course does not apply to foreigners residing in the Czech Republic on the basis of:

• long-term residence permit for the purpose of study (residence purpose codes “21”, “22”, “23” and “30”)
• long-term residence permit for the purpose of protection in the territory (residence purpose code “88”)
• long-term residence permit for the purpose of investment (purpose of residence code “78”)
• long-term residence permit issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic
• cards of an internally transferred employee (residence purpose codes “79”)
• cards of an internally transferred employee of another Member State of the European Union (purpose of residence code “80”)

Citizens of the EU, as well as their family members and family members of citizens of the Czech Republic, are not obliged to complete the course. Furthermore, the obligation does not apply to a foreigner who has not reached the age of 15 on the day the decision to issue a residence permit takes legal effect, or who has reached the age of 61 on that day. Holders of Employee and Blue cards issued under the Highly Qualified Employee and Key and Scientific Personnel programs will not have to undertake the course either.

Further information can be found on the dedicated website Welcome to the Czech Republic and on the Ministry of Interior website.