Non-EU • Živnost Route
Long-Term Business Visa via Trade License (Živnost)
The most common Czech long-term visa for freelancers. We register your živnost (Trade license), prepare your entire application packet, and remove refusal-risk mistakes before you submit.
- 10+ years CZ immigration practice
- 400+ cases guided
- 4.8/5 expat satisfaction
- Typical visa decision
- 70-90 days
- Best for
- Freelancers / sole proprietors
- Živnost setup
- 1-2 weeks
Eligibility
You’re likely eligible if:
- You are a non-EU citizen with a clean criminal record
- You can show sufficient funds for living in CZ
- Your freelance activity fits a Czech živnost category
- You can provide credible business purpose evidence
This route is not a fit if:
- You are primarily an employee (consider Employee Card / DNP Employee)
- Your business activity is not viable under a trade license
- You cannot show stable funds or a credible plan
Is Živnost the right route for you?
| Route | Best for | Complexity | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|---|
| Živnost Business Visa | Freelancers / self-employed | Medium | 70-90 days decision |
| DNP Freelancer | Qualified tech/marketing/IT freelancers from DNP countries | Medium-High | Often faster + VIP lane |
| s.r.o. Business Visa | Founders needing a company structure | High scrutiny | 70-90 days + 2-5 weeks setup |
Clear task split:
You do:
- Provide documents
- Obtain criminal record checks / apostilles
- Attend embassy appointment
- Pay government fees
We do:
- Confirm eligibility + refusal risks early
- Provide clear guidance from start to finish
- Register your živnost correctly
- Prepare all forms
- Review funds, accommodation, and purpose evidence
- Assemble a submission-ready packet
- Additional services include apartment searches, accompaniment, and transportation to appointments, among others
What’s included in the package:
Živnost setup:
- Activity selection & compliance check
- Required registrations & filings
- Business address guidance or purchase
Visa packet prep:
- Checklist + templates
- Forms prepared and verified
- Business purpose narrative
- Packet assembly
Support:
- Step-by-step timeline
- Refusal-risk audit
- Email guidance for embassy requests
- Visa application coaching
Timeline & milestones
- Week 1: Eligibility check and document plan
- Weeks 1-4: Collect documents, prepare proofs
- Weeks 3-5: Register živnost and secure business address
- Submission: Final packet + embassy instructions
- Decision: 70-90 days typical
Frequent reasons for rejection - and how we prevent them:
Unclear business purpose:
Authorities need a plausible freelance plan.
- We guide you on how to obtain the correct documents from clients
- We align evidence to your activity
Funds not shown correctly:
It’s not just amount - it’s format.
- We calculate safe minimum levels
- We obtain translations and give clear instructions
Accommodation gaps:
Missing/weak housing proof is common.
- We verify contract eligibility
- We can even secure your accommodation for you
Transparent costs
Included in your price:
- Živnost registration support
- Complete visa packet preparation
- Refusal-risk review
Common extras (if needed):
- Transport and accompaniment
- Certified translations
- Securing your accommodation
- Virtual business address
- Health insurance
We show your exact all-in estimate before checkout.
Ready to get your Czech Živnost Business Visa?
Get a clear path, correct registrations, and a refusal-resistant packet - without guessing.
FAQ
Can I apply from inside the Czech Republic?
In most cases, first-time long-term visas must be submitted at a Czech embassy abroad. We confirm your specific options.
What živnost activity should I choose?
We pick the activity category that legally matches your work and reads strongest for visa purpose.
Do you attend the embassy with me?
It is an optional service, which is a part of our transport and accompaniment package.
What if my visa is delayed or questioned?
We help you respond to requests for more documents and keep your case compliant.