Green application, but "yellow" steps - RESIDENCE PERMIT for family member

Ahoj Everyone,

Update:

New address of Immigration office is Tuřanka 1554/115b, 627 00 Brno - Slatina

Update:
As of 1 January 2020, MI CR staff will no longer make copies of documents presented to support applications and other submissions.PRESENT ORIGINAL DOCUMENTS OR NOTARISED COPIES!Only copies of travel and civil registry documents (i.e. birth or marriage certificates etc.) willcontinue to be made.This new procedure is being introduced to comply with the principle of cost efficiency, according to Section 6(2) of Act No. 500/2004 Coll., the Administrative Procedure Code.Link to original file:https://www.mvcr.cz/soubor/prehled-zmen-provedenych-novelou-zakona-o-pobytu-cizincu-s-ucinnosti-od-31-cervence-2019.aspx

Update: You can find List of changes made by the amendment to the Act on the Residence of Foreign Nationals with effect as of 31.7.2019 here.

Today (middle of September) we (I and my wife) applied FOR THE EXTENSION OF VALIDITY PERIOD OF LONG TERM RESIDENCE PERMIT for the purpose of family reunification. Sounds long, so let's say as we all say - visa for spouse (or kid(s)). I know that some of you did it already (even twice) and some already know how to do. But there are sometimes (perhaps always) some missing parts or unexpected changes.

So, let me start with basics; in order to to apply to extend the visa (almost same as applying first time) you will need provide following documents/papers:

• Copy of passport
• Copy of current visa
• copy of bio-metric card
• Complex health insurance
• If you have 1 year health insurance, then you will get 1 year extension of visa, so better to buy 2 years health insurance. You will save time and money
• 2 photos (passport size)
• In case extension it is not needed, but take photos with you just in case
• Green application form
• You can take it from the the Immigration Office
• Stamp in value 2500 CZK
• When you apply you have to give stamps for value 1500 CZK, then 1000 CZK when receiving bio-metric card
• Notary certified copy of Czech translation of your marriage certificate and/or birth certificate of your child (translated into Czech language)
• Make a copy of it and give them copy, just show original translation, otherwise you will have to make notary and translate it again.
• Confirmation about your net income for past 3 months, confirmation of employment, copy of your employment contract
• Your statement that you will pay all costs connected with their (spouse and/or kid(s)) stay
• Link to download file
• Accommodation contract
•  Date of signature (contract date) must not be older than 180 days at the time of submitting

We made reservation via new online system, FRS (https://frs.gov.cz/), which saves you time in case you planned in advance. Register with basic information and then make appointment.

PLEASE NOTE that after choosing available date you have to choose available time; when you click time (12:00 in following example -  reserve), system immediately will make reservation. So there will be no screen for last confirmation and etc. Considering rules of cancellation, which might block you, it is better to be absolutely sure before reserving.

At the end you will get final information about confirmation (also e-mail), date and time, PIN code in order print ticket and address of the Immigration Office (IO), which I am sure you all know already.

When you enter to the IO, there is touch screen panel, where you can (have to) print tickets. Choose language and online reservation, insert PIN and OK. So, we came more than a hour earlier, I tried to print it, but after inserting PIN it replied that "PIN není na tento den", which means "PIN is not for today". At this point it is only matter of luck that you will be able see any IO staff passing, so you can ask question. Luckily there was a lady, which speaks English, she asked our origin of country and then said - "go upstairs and ask other staff, this system does not work and they will accept you without ticket". Well, sounds OK. We went up and ask another IO staff, young guy. He said that as our reservation at 11:00, we can print ticket after 10:45 (15 earlier). Well, this sounds OK, too. I printed ticket 10:34, so... you know... whatever.

11:00 we still don't see our number, 11:30 nothing, 11:45 nothing. Then I realized that staff were having break (if I wasn't wrong). I entered room and informed that "I do have reservation". After 5 min, young lady came from another place and asked for "anyone with 11:00 reservation". I have to say probably my asking and her appears are not connected, just coincidence.

As we had all necessary papers and we bought stamps (kolky) in advance, process went on fast and without any issue. Now we had to just wait.

Main tips and notes:

• First buy stamps then enter interview room
• Try to make online reservation in advance, 2-4 months even
• Arriving to the IO 30 min before reservation is enough
• Make copy (digital or paper) of each paper which you will provide to the IO, so you will remember next time and no issues with filling application(s)
• There are new staffs (comparing to 2017), which speak in English
• Bring all papers with copies, despite IO staff will make copy for themselves

All in all, in this post I didn't cover anything that hard to find or know. You could get almost all details in official websites or even on the walls of the IO. But I share our real-life experience, so you can have all in one place. I hope these post will be helpful for you and family next time.

Thank you reading my story.