Czech Consulate in New Delhi introduces lottery-based appointment system

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Czech Consulate in New Delhi has introduced a new lottery appointment system for submission of employee card applications outside of governmental migration programs.

What does the change mean? Nationals of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka submitting applications must register for the lottery, which will open every three months, to request a submission appointment. The next lottery will most likely take place in March.

• Implementation: Immediate and ongoing. The date for the next lottery has not yet been announced. Appointment booking will most likely open again in March.
• Who is affected: Nationals of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka submitting employee card applications at the Czech Consulate in New Delhi.
• What to consider: If possible, employers should submit applications for employees to one of the governmental programs listed below to expedite processing.

Additional information: The new lottery appointment booking system, which launched in December 2019, limits the number of appointments available to submit employee card applications between January and March to 33. Only 100 appointments will be offered throughout the year. The fee for lottery inclusion is 3,100 Indian rupees and is non-refundable.

Because of the reduced number of appointments available, employers should submit applications for employees to one of the following government programs:

• Key and Scientific Personnel program (500 slots available, shared with Highly Qualified Workers program)
• Highly Qualified Workers program
• Qualified Workers program (600 slots available)

Employees included in one of these programs will be offered an appointment to submit an application for an employee card, EU Blue card or ICT card, without needing to go through the lottery.

Analysis & Comments: The next round of appointments should be announced on the website of the Czech Embassy in New Delhi in March. No more than 100 slots will be available through lottery in 2020. Employers should consider submitting government program applications since they will be processed with priority and applicants will not have to use the lottery system to obtain a submission appointment. Please contact your immigration provider for more information.

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