Czech for the úřad: visas and paperwork

Survive the foreign police and the MVČR without panic. 40 Czech words for residence permits, forms, and stamps — what the clerk says, what the form asks, and what to bring. For expats wrestling with Czech bureaucracy.

Изучаемый язык

Чешский

Язык обучения

Английский

Who it's for

For foreigners dealing with Czech officialdom — residence permits, visa renewals, address changes, and the dreaded trip to the úřad or the foreign police. If you've stood in a waiting room clutching a form you couldn't read, this set is built for you. No advanced Czech needed; the vocabulary is explained in plain English.

What's inside

40 cards covering the paperwork side of life in Czechia: the place and people (úřad, úředník, ministerstvo vnitra, cizinecká policie), the documents (žádost, formulář, doklad, rodný list, ověřená kopie), and the actions (podat žádost, vyplnit, doložit, podepsat). Each card has:

the Czech term with its English meaning;
IPA for the single-word terms;
an example sentence in the language of real forms and counters;
notes on traps (doklad is a document, not a "report") and how the system works — everything runs on the razítko, the stamp.

How to study

Learn the cards in the order of a real visit: what you bring, what you fill in, what the clerk asks, what you walk away with. Say the document names aloud — you'll need to recognise them spoken at the counter. Ten minutes a day is enough to walk in prepared. If you're also setting up daily life, pair it with "Everyday Czech: getting through the day."

úřad

/ˈuːr̝at/

(government) office; authority

Musím zajít na úřad kvůli pobytu. (I have to go to the office about my residence.)

The MVČR (Ministry of the Interior) handles foreigners' residence.

úředník

/ˈuːr̝ɛdɲiːk/

clerk; official

Úředník mi pomohl vyplnit formulář. (The clerk helped me fill in the form.)

A female clerk is "úřednice."

žádost

/ˈʒaːdost/

application; request

Podal jsem žádost o povolení k pobytu. (I filed an application for a residence permit.)

Feminine. The action is "podat žádost."

podat žádost

to file an application

Žádost musíte podat osobně. (You must file the application in person.)

Imperfective "podávat." Often by appointment only.

formulář

/ˈformulaːr̝̊/

form

Stáhněte si formulář z webu úřadu. (Download the form from the office's website.)

vyplnit

to fill in; complete (a form)

Vyplňte formulář hůlkovým písmem. (Fill in the form in block letters.)

Imperfective "vyplňovat." "hůlkové písmo" = block capitals.

doklad

/ˈdoklat/

document; ID

Vezměte si všechny doklady s sebou. (Bring all your documents with you.)

False friend: not a "report" but a document. Plural "doklady."

občanský průkaz

national ID card

Bez občanského průkazu vás neodbaví. (They won't serve you without an ID card.)

Colloquially "občanka." Foreigners carry a "povolení k pobytu" instead.

povolení k pobytu

residence permit

Vyřizuji si povolení k pobytu. (I'm sorting out my residence permit.)

"trvalý" = permanent, "přechodný" = temporary residence.

cizinec

/ˈt͡sɪzɪnɛt͡s/

foreigner

Tady se vyřizují záležitosti cizinců. (Foreigners' matters are handled here.)

A female foreigner is "cizinka." The unit is "oddělení pobytu cizinců."

potvrzení

/ˈpotvr̩zɛɲiː/

certificate; confirmation

Potřebuji potvrzení o pobytu. (I need a proof of residence.)

razítko

/ˈraziːtko/

stamp; seal

Bez razítka je potvrzení neplatné. (Without a stamp the certificate is invalid.)

At a Czech office everything runs on the "razítko."

ověřená kopie

certified copy

K žádosti přiložte ověřenou kopii pasu. (Attach a certified copy of your passport.)

You get them certified at "Czech POINT" or a notary.

správní poplatek

administrative fee

Za žádost zaplatíte správní poplatek. (You'll pay an administrative fee for the application.)

Paid on the spot: by card, cash, or transfer.

úřední hodiny

office hours

Úřední hodiny jsou v pondělí a ve středu. (Office hours are Monday and Wednesday.)

Often just two days a week — check ahead.

termín

/ˈtɛrmiːn/

appointment; slot

Mám termín na devátou hodinu. (I have an appointment at nine.)

"objednat se na termín" = to book a slot.

cestovní pas

passport

Předložte platný cestovní pas. (Present a valid passport.)

Casually "pas." Careful: "pás" (with a long á) means "waist" or "belt."

podpis

/ˈpotpɪs/

signature

Sem doplňte datum a podpis. (Add the date and signature here.)

The verb is "podepsat se."

podepsat

to sign

Podepište se na konci formuláře. (Sign at the end of the form.)

Perfective; imperfective "podepisovat."

příjmení

/ˈpr̝̊iːjmɛɲiː/

surname; last name

Napište jméno a příjmení. (Write your first name and surname.)

"jméno" = first name; neuter.

datum narození

date of birth

Uveďte datum narození. (State your date of birth.)

trvalý pobyt

permanent residence

Po pěti letech žádám o trvalý pobyt. (After five years I'm applying for permanent residence.)

"přechodný" = temporary residence.

přechodný pobyt

temporary residence

Mám přechodný pobyt na dva roky. (I have temporary residence for two years.)

"trvalý" = permanent.

vízum

/ˈviːzum/

visa

Vízum mi vyprší v červnu. (My visa expires in June.)

Neuter; plural "víza."

Вопросы и ответы

How many words are in the set?

40, focused on residence permits, forms, documents, and dealing with the úřad and foreign police.

Is this specific to the MVČR?

It covers the vocabulary you meet at the Ministry of the Interior (MVČR/OAMP) and the foreign police, but it works for most Czech offices.

What level do I need?

None in particular — beginners can use it. The terms are practical and explained in English.

Does it have pronunciation?

Yes, IPA for the single-word terms in the standard Czech accent.

Is it free?

Yes, free to study.