CZECH REPUBLIC – Combined Work and Residence Permit; Other Changes Soon
As a result of an EU directive, the Czech Republic government will implement a combined work and residence permit which will be called an employment card. The employment card will eliminate the process of employers submitting separate work permit applications to the labor office. However, it should be noted that intra-company transferees will still require separate work permits.
Employers should be aware that despite this change, existing labor market testing requirements will remain unaffected. Employers must still first obtain approval from the labor office to a fill a position with a non-EU national before filing the employment card application. Additional changes include elimination of the green card program which grants work authorization to foreign specialists without employer sponsorship. Another potential change may allow a six-month work permit exemption for any intra-company transferees that will be receiving on-the-job training at a related entity.