The Czech Republic is reshaping its immigration policy, introducing tougher quotas for work and business visas in an effort to control who gets to live and work in the country long-term.

The new system prioritizes skilled labor—particularly Indian IT professionals—while sharply limiting the number of visas for low-skilled workers from China and several African nations.

Starting July 1, 2025, these changes will apply to applications for visas allowing stays of over 90 days.

The aim is to ensure that Czech embassies are not overwhelmed by applications from unqualified laborers, while still attracting professionals deemed beneficial to the economy.

India’s Tech Talent Welcomed

One of the most striking shifts is the expansion of the Digital Nomad visa program for Indian nationals. Although the government approved this policy in August 2023, it will come into effect next year. The Czech Coordination Authority for State Border Protection and Migration Management formally authorized the update.

Qualified Indian professionals, especially in IT, engineering, natural sciences, and mathematics, are seen as valuable assets. Many of these individuals are expected to work with Czech companies in semiconductor development and technical research.

The Digital Nomad scheme, which allows self-employed foreigners to live and work in the Czech Republic, will now accept 48 Indian applicants annually, up from 24. Though the numbers remain modest, officials say the symbolic opening marks a strategic pivot toward more targeted migration.

China’s Quotas Slashed Amid Surging Applications

The Czech state is clamping down on migration from China—especially low-skilled labor. In 2024 alone, Chinese nationals submitted over 1,300 employment card applications at Czech embassies in Beijing and Shanghai—up dramatically from just 235 in 2022. This trend is expected to continue into the first half of 2025.

Officials say the vast majority of Chinese applicants are seeking jobs in street food stalls and kitchens, often employed by other Chinese business owners. Because these jobs offer low wages and little room for career advancement, the Czech government is capping Chinese work visa applications at 1,170 per year.

African Countries Face Cutbacks Over Security Concerns

The Czech Republic is also reducing quotas at five embassies in Africa—Addis Ababa, Cairo, Lusaka, Pretoria, and Rabat—citing security and logistical concerns. According to government data, applicants from these countries tend to be poorly educated, lack clear motivation, and often misuse the visa process to reach other parts of the EU.

The report adds that many such migrants are entirely dependent on smugglers, lack preparation for legal migration procedures, and pose a high risk of vulnerability. These findings are echoed by Czech immigration police stationed abroad.

Other Key Changes to Quotas

The July 2025 update also includes several other country-specific adjustments: Japan and Taiwan will now face new quotas. Many applicants from these locations are actually Vietnamese nationals with long-term residency, who are considered low-skilled.

Thailand’s quotas are being increased under the Skilled Worker Program, acknowledging long-term demand. The Czech government emphasizes that future policies should support entrepreneurs and specialists, not manual labor.

Would you like us to write about your business? Find out more