Foreigners may be required to complete integration courses

IMPACT – MEDIUM

What is the change? The Czech government has approved a measure that would require foreign residents to complete integration courses.

What does the change mean? If enacted as law by Parliament, foreigners seeking long-term residence permits for employment will be required to take coursework within one year of their arrival to help them integrate into Czech society.

• Implementation time frame: To be announced.
• Visas/permits affected: Long-term residence permits.
• Who is affected: Foreign employees seeking long-term residency in the Czech Republic.
• Business impact: The requirement would add another step in the process of applying for residency for expatriate workers.
• Next steps: The measure must be approved by Parliament before it is implemented. Additional details are expected in coming weeks.

Background: The measure seeks to amend the Law of Foreigners by adding integration requirements that are intended to encourage foreign workers to settle into Czech society more easily. The number of expatriate employees settling in the country has increased dramatically in the past four years.

BAL Analysis: Foreign workers intending to apply for long-term residency should prepare for the possibility of additional requirements regarding their knowledge of Czech culture and civil society.

This alert has been provided by the BAL Global Practice group and our network provider located in the Czech Republic. For additional information, please contact your BAL attorney.

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