D/VC/17 — Long-Term Visa for Family – Spouse/Partner (Dlouhodobé vízum – rodina, manžel/ka)

The Long-Term Visa for Family – Spouse/Partner is governed by Act No. 326/1999 Coll., on the Residence of Foreign Nationals in the Czech Republic. Established to facilitate the fundamental right to family life, this visa allows the spouse or registered same-sex partner of a foreign national holding a valid long-term or permanent residence permit to join them in the Czech Republic for a stay exceeding 90 days. It serves as a crucial entry pathway for partners who do not yet qualify for a long-term residence permit, filling the gap for those who need to establish their initial legal presence in the country to begin their life together.

This visa is specifically designed for spouses and registered partners of third-country nationals who are already legally residing in the Czech Republic. It is an ideal choice for couples seeking to reunite when the primary resident has not yet met the 15-month residency threshold required for the standard family reunification residence permit. The visa is distinctive because it provides a relatively straightforward, time-limited (up to one year) entry mechanism, allowing the applicant to enter the country and subsequently transition to a more permanent residence status once they are on the territory and meet the necessary legal conditions.